Current Affairs - Technology

The groundbreaking xenotransplantation procedure was carried out at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University in Nanning, China. It marked the first time that a whole pig liver and two pig kidneys were transplanted simultaneously into a human recipient. The donor pig had undergone six genetic modifications, including the addition of three human genes and the removal of three pig genes, to reduce the risk of rejection and blood clotting. The transplanted organs functioned successfully for several days, with the liver producing bile and the kidneys normalising waste-product levels. The achievement represents a significant advancement in xenotransplantation research and organ replacement therapies.

India became the 19th country globally to deploy the advanced SkyCast integrated aviation weather monitoring system with its launch at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. Developed under the Mission Mausam initiative, the system enhances aviation safety by providing real-time weather intelligence and short-term nowcasting services. It integrates sophisticated instruments such as a Radar Wind Profiler, Ground-based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer (GFAS), and CL61 Lidar Ceilometer. These technologies monitor atmospheric conditions including wind patterns and boundary-layer dynamics, helping reduce weather-related flight delays and improving the safety of aircraft take-offs and landings. Future expansion is planned for other airports across India.

SBI Life Insurance entered into a partnership with Datamatics on May 27, 2026, to modernise its medical underwriting process using Agentic AI-powered automation. The initiative involves the deployment of the TruAI Underwriting solution, which is designed to process complex insurance cases by analysing medical histories, laboratory reports, and risk declarations. It generates consolidated digital case summaries and supports decision-making based on established underwriting rules and historical data. The system also includes self-learning capabilities that improve accuracy over time. SBI Life Insurance, a joint venture between State Bank of India and BNP Paribas Cardif, aims to reduce operational costs and improve consistency in underwriting through this advanced AI integration.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is responsible for developing India’s first commercial geothermal power project at Puga Valley in Ladakh. The project was approved through a 5-year MoU extension and aims to establish a 1 MWe pilot geothermal plant targeted for commissioning in FY 2026–27. Located at an altitude of over 14,000 feet, the site has significant geothermal potential with subsurface temperatures reaching around 240°C. The project involves multiple phases including deep drilling and exploration in nearby regions. ONGC, a Maharatna PSU headquartered in New Delhi, is leading this initiative in collaboration with the Ladakh administration and local development authorities.

The Shenzhou-23 mission represents a major milestone in human spaceflight as it marks the first attempt to keep astronauts in orbit for a full year, extending beyond the usual six-month rotation period. Launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Gansu province using a Long March 2-F rocket, the mission includes three crew members and focuses on studying the long-term effects of microgravity on the human body. It also aligns with China’s broader space goals, including lunar exploration ambitions by 2030, advancement of the Tiangong Space Station program, and strengthening capabilities for future deep-space missions and international collaboration.