Current Affairs - Technology

The CMS-03 Mission is an upcoming ISRO launch scheduled for November 2, featuring India’s heaviest communication satellite, weighing 4,400 kg. The LVM3 launch vehicle has been moved to the launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, for this major mission. CMS-03 will enhance India’s communication capabilities by providing advanced coverage and bandwidth across the Indian subcontinent. This mission also reaffirms ISRO’s growing expertise in deploying high-capacity satellites and demonstrates the efficiency of the LVM3 rocket, which has become India’s most powerful and reliable launch vehicle for heavy payloads.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has introduced ‘UPI Help’, an AI-based assistant designed to provide real-time support for users facing issues such as failed or delayed transactions, unclear payment statuses, and mandate queries. Integrated with the UPI Dispute Resolution (UDIR) framework, it automates complaint handling and ensures faster resolution without the need for manual intervention. It also allows users to manage their UPI Autopay mandates, view active subscriptions, and track grievances through a transparent system. By leveraging AI, UPI Help aims to enhance trust, convenience, and efficiency across India’s digital payment ecosystem.

NASA confirmed the asteroid 2025 PN7 as a “quasi-moon” of Earth, meaning it follows a similar orbital path around the Sun but is not gravitationally bound to our planet like the Moon. Discovered by the University of Hawaii in 2025, PN7 is estimated to be between 18 and 36 metres in diameter. Its orbital behavior makes it appear as if it accompanies Earth in its journey around the Sun. NASA’s analysis confirmed that PN7 poses no danger to our planet, making it an exciting scientific discovery for understanding near-Earth objects.

OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT Atlas, an innovative AI-powered web browser designed specifically for macOS. Atlas combines the capabilities of web browsing with the intelligence of ChatGPT, enabling users to perform tasks more efficiently within a single platform. It features integrated contextual assistance, memory-based continuity for seamless workflow, and an advanced Agent mode for task automation. This browser offers real-time AI interaction, representing a significant step forward in blending browsing functionality with AI-driven productivity tools for enhanced user experience.

India has developed Nafithromycin, its first homegrown antibiotic, aimed at treating resistant respiratory infections, especially in vulnerable patients. This achievement, alongside successful indigenous gene therapy trials for hemophilia, underscores India’s growing capabilities in biotechnology, pharmaceutical innovation, and clinical research. These breakthroughs were enabled by collaborations between the Department of Biotechnology and private firms like Wockhardt, reflecting a strong public-private partnership. Additionally, India’s progress in genome sequencing and precision medicine positions the country as a rising leader in healthcare innovation, reducing dependence on foreign technologies and advancing its goal of biotech self-reliance under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.