Current Affairs - Technology

India's first and deepest geothermal wells were commissioned at Puga Valley in Ladakh on July 17, 2026, by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. Developed by the ONGC Energy Centre at an altitude of over 14,000 feet, the project marks a significant milestone in India's renewable energy sector. Both wells were drilled to a depth of 1,000 meters, with temperatures reaching 135°C at around 400 meters below the surface. The geothermal resource will support India's first 1 MW demonstration-scale geothermal power project. Located in the Changthang region, Puga Valley is renowned for its high-temperature hot springs and is considered India's most promising geothermal field.

Skyroot Aerospace developed the Vikram-1 rocket, India's first privately built orbital launch vehicle, marking a significant milestone in the country's private space sector. Scheduled under Mission Aagaman, the rocket is designed to carry small satellites into low Earth orbit and demonstrates advanced indigenous technologies, including an all-carbon composite structure and 3D-printed engines. The mission builds on the success of the Vikram-S suborbital launch in 2022 and aims to validate the rocket's systems for future commercial operations. Vikram-1 is expected to strengthen India's position in the global small satellite launch market while encouraging greater private participation in the nation's growing space ecosystem.

Semicon 2.0 is a major government initiative approved by the Union Cabinet to strengthen India's semiconductor ecosystem with an allocated budget of ₹1.27 lakh crore. The programme aims to promote semiconductor design, manufacturing, research and development, advanced packaging, materials, and workforce development. It seeks to reduce dependence on imports, attract global semiconductor companies, and create a resilient domestic supply chain. Built upon the achievements of Semicon 1.0, the initiative also focuses on technological self-reliance, innovation, and positioning India as a trusted global hub for semiconductor manufacturing and advanced chip design.

ISRO successfully completed three major qualification tests for the Gaganyaan Crew Module as part of preparations for India's first human spaceflight mission. The tests validated the Crew Module Uprighting System (CMUS), the Crew-Service Umbilical Unit (CSU-2) separation mechanism, and the Apex Cover Separation System. These systems are essential for ensuring astronaut safety during splashdown, atmospheric re-entry, parachute deployment, and post-landing recovery. The successful completion of these tests significantly improves mission readiness, reduces operational risks, and brings India closer to achieving its goal of independently sending astronauts into low Earth orbit and safely returning them to Earth.

JAXA successfully conducted Japan's first lift-off and vertical landing test of a reusable prototype rocket at its test facility in Noshiro, Akita Prefecture. During the test, the rocket reached an altitude of about 10 metres and completed a safe landing after a 40-second flight. The reusable launch technology is intended to recover the first-stage booster, the most expensive part of a rocket, thereby reducing the cost of future space missions. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Japan's space programme and strengthens its capabilities in developing cost-effective and sustainable space transportation systems.