Current Affairs - Technology

IIT Guwahati researchers developed E-Eye, a low-cost and portable optical sensing device for rapid on-site detection of water contamination. The device can detect heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, iron and chromium, along with fluoride and E. coli bacteria. It operates using the Beer-Lambert law and measures colour changes in chemical reactions to estimate contaminant concentrations. The device costs around ₹3,500, with an operational cost of about ₹2 per sample. Its performance is comparable to standard laboratory instruments, making it particularly useful for water-quality monitoring in rural areas.

IIT Hyderabad launched ANUGYAN, India’s first industry-academia orientation programme focused on the civil nuclear energy sector, on August 3, 2026. The programme, known as the Nuclear Technology Orientation Programme (NTOP), was developed in collaboration with Crimson Energy Experts Private Limited. It is a three-month fully residential course combining academic learning with industrial exposure. The curriculum covers reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, Small Modular Reactors, radiation safety, AERB regulatory compliance, quality assurance, simulator-based training, and engineering design. The initiative supports India’s long-term objective of increasing nuclear power capacity from 8.8 GWe to 100 GWe by 2047.

IIT Patna developed an innovative hybrid magneto-rheometer to advance the testing and application of Magnetorheological (MR) fluids. The research team, led by Prof. Chiranjit Sarkar, developed a custom-built instrument along with nano iron powder-based MR fluids. Supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the instrument can measure both rheological properties, such as flow and deformation, and tribological properties, including friction and wear. It can also evaluate performance under simultaneous compression and shear forces. The technology has potential applications in aerospace, defence, healthcare, industrial automation, shock absorbers, vibration control systems, dampers, and actuators.

India has set a target of connecting 100 crore people to 5G services by 2030, as announced by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia during the theme launch of India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026. The country has already connected 50 crore users within 2.5 years through nearly 5 lakh telecom towers, supported by an investment of around ₹4.5 lakh crore. India also launched its first Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) to strengthen domestic telecom production. With 1.33 billion mobile subscribers and affordable data prices of about ₹8 per GB, the initiative supports India's digital transformation and expansion of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

IIT Ropar designed and deployed the ANNAM.AI AI-powered hyper-local weather intelligence system for the Kerala government's climate-smart agriculture initiative launched on July 28, 2026. Introduced as part of the state's 100-day action plan, the system provides real-time weather data and localised advisories to help farmers make informed decisions regarding sowing, irrigation, harvesting, and crop protection. The initiative aims to enhance agricultural resilience, reduce crop losses, and improve farm productivity through data-driven decision-making. Established in 2008 in Rupnagar, Punjab, IIT Ropar is one of India's second-generation Indian Institutes of Technology operating under the Ministry of Education.