Recent 6 months news in Science

The ISRO has successfully conducted the Integrated Main Parachute Airdrop Test-05 (IMAT-05) for the Gaganyaan G1 mission at the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) drop zone in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh.

The test aimed to validate the Main Parachute System under maximum expected load conditions for the first uncrewed Gaganyaan G1 mission. It is to be noted that the Gaganyaan Crew Module uses a system of 10 parachutes of 4 distinct types.

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Pune, in collaboration with the Natural History Museum, London, has discovered 2 new moth species in the country.

The tiger moth species 'Antaram idukki' was discovered in Idukki, Kerala, and published in the 'Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society'. The forester moth species 'Mimeusemia kali' was discovered in the Kali Tiger Reserve, Karnataka, and documented in the journal 'Zootaxa'.

ISRO has successfully conducted a hot test of its semi-cryogenic engine power head at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Tamil Nadu. The test demonstrated stable operation at a thrust level of 175 tons, achieving 88% of the target thrust.

This semi-cryogenic propulsion stage is being developed to replace the L110 core stage on the LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark 3) launch vehicle. The system is powered by the 2,000-kilonewton (kN) SE2000 engine.

The AI model 'Claude Fable 5' from Anthropic has been suspended globally, just 3 days after its launch. This action follows an unprecedented export control directive issued by the US government.

The 5th edition of the Indian Space Congress (ISC) 2026 was held in New Delhi. During the event, India's first digital repository of space-sector capabilities, named 'Indian Space Industry E-Catalogue', was launched.

Developed by the Satcom Industry Association (SIA)-India, it serves as a platform for capability discovery, collaboration, and business development within the Indian space ecosystem.

Additionally, two reports were released: 'Building India's On-Orbit Servicing and Refuelling Ecosystem: Policy, Partnerships, and Pathways Forward' (developed in collaboration with OrbitAID) and 'India's Strategic Opportunity in Space-Based Compute Infrastructure' (developed in partnership with TakeMe2Space).

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has inaugurated the Versatile Deuterated Compounds Production Plant (VDPP) and commissioned a 24 kA Prototype Sodium Cell at the Heavy Water Board Facilities (HWBF) in Vadodara, Gujarat.

The ISRO, in collaboration with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), is developing an advanced artificial heating system for future lunar landers. This technology is designed to enable landers to survive lunar nights, where temperatures drop below –129°C.

It is to be noted that this system aims to extend the operational life of lunar landers from the current duration of one lunar day (14 Earth days) to up to 200 days.

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) organized a 'Technology Transfer and Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya (BND) Release Function' at its headquarters in New Delhi.

During the event, 7 indigenous technologies developed by the CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) and the CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) were transferred to the industry to promote commercialisation. Additionally, 10 BND reference materials were released, and 5 vapor cells for quantum sensing applications, developed by CSIR-NPL, were handed over.

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has signed an agreement with the Gujarat government to develop a Common Technical Facility (CTF) for the space-tech sector at the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) in Khoraj, Gujarat.

IN-SPACe will provide technical expertise and financial assistance of up to ₹100 crore for the procurement of equipment required for the development of the CTF.

Novartis India has launched 'Pluvicto', the first regulatory authority-approved radioligand therapy (RLT) in India for advanced prostate cancer.

This precision medicine is indicated for patients with Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA)-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Bengaluru-based Avataar has launched 'Varya', India’s first indigenous, distilled video AI model, designed to make generative video storytelling accessible and affordable at a population scale. It was launched in partnership with the IndiaAI Mission.

The AI model operates as a text-to-video and image-to-video foundation model, offering enhanced speed and cost efficiencies to the digital ecosystem.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced the 4-member crew for the Artemis III mission, which is scheduled for a Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) mission in late 2027. The crew comprises Randy Bresnik (Commander), Andre Douglas, and Frank Rubio from the USA, alongside Luca Parmitano from the European Space Agency (ESA).

The mission will test docking procedures between Starship of SpaceX, Blue Moon lander of Blue Origin, and Orion capsule of NASA, launched by the Space Launch System (SLS). This mission aims to demonstrate operational readiness for future human lunar landings and planned lunar operations.

The National e-Governance Division (NeGD), an independent business division under the Digital India Corporation (DIC) of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has empanelled 6 firms to provide AI and Machine Learning (ML) solutions for central ministries and agencies.

The selected firms are TCS, NEC India, Kyndryl Solutions, Innefu Labs, CoRover.ai, and Cactus Technology Solutions. The empanelment is valid for 2 years, with a provision for an extension of up to 1 year.

The ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (ICAR-IIOR), Hyderabad, has launched “Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra,” a WhatsApp-based AI advisory service.

The initiative aims to harness digital technology to benefit the farming community. It enables oilseed farmers across India to access free, trusted, and instant crop advisory through WhatsApp.

Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh has announced the launch of a digital portal supported by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to strengthen scientific research and innovation. The announcement was made during a joint review meeting of all science Ministries in New Delhi.

The portal serves as a capacity-building platform for researchers and young innovators, providing support in scientific writing, publication processes, Intellectual Property (IP) protection, and patent-related procedures.

The Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) has launched the ‘VYOMA Innovation Challenge’ to promote the development of open-source, multilingual, and voice-first AI solutions. The initiative is launched in partnership with Current AI and Kalpa Impact.

The challenge focuses on creating AI solutions that can operate in offline and low-connectivity environments. It is structured around ‘Sunno Sutra’, a multilingual, voice-first, open-source handheld AI reference device.

Technology Hub (T-Hub) has inaugurated the third cohort of the ORBIT programme, an Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)-supported Atal Innovation Incubation Centre (AIC)-T-Hub Space-Tech Accelerator Programme. The third cohort includes 13 startups, including Sanyak Space Technologies, Humanity Space, Red Balloon Aerospace, and Nibiaa Devices.

With this, the ORBIT programme has supported 36 space-tech startups in total, while the broader space-tech initiatives of T-Hub have engaged over 100 startups. It is to be noted that previous cohorts have collectively raised nearly ₹30 crore in funding and developed 18 Intellectual Properties (IPs).

Chandigarh University in Punjab has become the first private university in India to launch an ‘IndiaAI Data Lab’.

The lab has been established in partnership with Intel India to enhance students’ employability by providing industry-relevant skills in AI, Data Science, and emerging technologies.

Microsoft has unveiled “Majorana 2”, its second-generation topological quantum computing chip developed using its agentic AI platform, “Microsoft Discovery”.

The prototype features 12 topological qubits as a model for scalable systems, with the company aiming to develop commercially viable quantum systems by 2029. Additionally, Microsoft has introduced “Scout”, an AI-powered Microsoft 365 assistant designed to autonomously manage schedules, emails, and meetings.

The Department of Higher Education (DoHE) under the Ministry of Education (MoE) has launched the Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme 2026. The scheme aims to integrate accomplished Indian-origin researchers, scientists, technologists, and professionals from across the globe into the research and innovation ecosystem of India.

The scheme identifies 13 priority sectors categorized under three pillars: Lead Institutions, Host Institutions, and PMRC Fellows. The MoE has designated 7 premier institutions as Lead Institutions to facilitate the implementation of the scheme across various thematic areas.

The selection of participating institutions and fellows is monitored by an Empowered Committee chaired by Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government of India.