Current Affairs - Technology

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.

Chandrayaan-2, launched by ISRO in 2019, made the first direct observation of how Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) from the Sun impact the Moon’s exosphere. The CHACE-2 instrument on board recorded a significant increase in the density of neutral atoms and molecules, confirming that solar outbursts can dramatically alter the lunar atmosphere. This finding enhances understanding of lunar space weather, especially because the Moon lacks a global magnetic field and atmosphere, making its exosphere highly sensitive to solar activity. Chandrayaan-2’s observations contribute valuable data for future lunar missions and planetary science research.