Current Affairs - Technology

Kepler and the James Webb Telescope have significantly advanced the study of exoplanets by providing detailed data about distant planetary systems. Their observations help scientists estimate how frequently Earth-like planets occur in the galaxy. This evidence strengthens the Rare Earth Hypothesis, which suggests that while simple microbial life may be relatively common, complex life requires a highly specific combination of planetary conditions. These include stable orbital dynamics, a strong magnetic field, plate tectonics, and the presence of a large moon. By improving the understanding of how rare such conditions may be, the findings support the hypothesis that complex life is exceptionally uncommon.

IIT Bombay, through its P-Quest Group, developed India’s first Quantum Diamond Microscope, marking a major milestone in indigenous quantum technology. The microscope leverages nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond to perform advanced magnetic imaging with nanoscale precision. Its ability to visualise 3D magnetic fields using optically detected magnetic resonance makes it a powerful tool across scientific domains. Potential applications range from studying neural activity in neuroscience to analyzing magnetic properties of materials and performing non-destructive 3D mapping of semiconductor chips. This achievement strengthens India’s technological capabilities under the National Quantum Mission and advances research in cutting-edge quantum sensing technologies.

India inaugurated its first MWh-scale Vanadium Flow Battery at NTPC NETRA, Greater Noida, marking a significant advancement in renewable energy storage technology. The 3 MWh Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) system was launched on November 11, 2025, by Shri Manohar Lal, Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs. This innovative system enables long-duration energy storage (LDES), crucial for integrating intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, VRFBs are non-flammable, durable, and allow scalable power and energy capacities. The project enhances India’s energy security, reduces dependence on imported materials, and strengthens its clean energy transition goals.

Google introduced its 7th-generation Ironwood TPU, a cutting-edge AI processing unit designed to enhance the company’s cloud computing and machine learning capabilities. The Ironwood TPU is optimised for training and deploying large-scale AI models such as chatbots and digital assistants. Each Ironwood pod interconnects 9,216 TPUs, significantly reducing data bottlenecks and enabling seamless scaling of massive workloads. This innovation underscores Google’s commitment to advancing AI infrastructure and positioning itself as a formidable competitor to Nvidia in the field of high-performance computing and artificial intelligence development.

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier R&D centre under the Department of Telecommunications, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IIT Gandhinagar to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) dedicated to telecom and cybersecurity research. This collaboration aims to integrate C-DOT’s technological expertise with IIT Gandhinagar’s strong academic and research foundation. The CoE will focus on advancing innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum communication, and next-generation mobile networks, thereby enhancing India’s capabilities in secure and future-ready telecom infrastructure and fostering deeper academia-industry cooperation.