Current Affairs - Technology

Nelco Limited, a subsidiary of the Tata Group, has partnered with Eutelsat to introduce OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite services in India. This collaboration is a significant step in enhancing connectivity solutions, especially in areas where traditional networks are weak or unavailable. The service will cover the entire Indian landmass, territorial waters, maritime routes, and aerial corridors, making it crucial for industries such as aviation, shipping, defence, and rural communication. By leveraging advanced satellite technology, Nelco and Eutelsat aim to bridge India’s digital divide and support the nation’s growing demand for reliable, high-speed internet access.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) entered into a five-year partnership with the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) to strengthen Aadhaar’s robustness, security, and reliability. The collaboration will focus on critical areas such as fraud and anomaly detection, development of biometric liveness detection tools, and refining biometric matching algorithms. This initiative is crucial for protecting Aadhaar from potential misuse while ensuring its efficient functioning as the backbone of India’s digital identity ecosystem. By involving ISI, a premier institute with expertise in advanced data science and statistical methods, UIDAI aims to bring cutting-edge research into national identity management.

India’s first drone-AI-powered artificial rain experiment was launched at Ramgarh Dam in Jaipur, Rajasthan. This pioneering project uses cloud seeding technology enhanced with drones and artificial intelligence to induce rainfall. Conducted by GenX AI in collaboration with the Rajasthan Government, it aims to revive the historic 129-year-old reservoir, which has been dry for two decades, and improve water supply, agriculture, and biodiversity in the region. The drones spray sodium chloride into clouds to trigger precipitation, a technique already used in several countries to combat drought. The initiative also involves multiple government departments and has received DGCA approval for drone operations.

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has entered into strategic partnerships with global technology leaders Ericsson, Qualcomm, Cisco, and Nokia to advance 5G, AI, and networking skills in India. These collaborations will be implemented at BSNL’s premier training institute, the Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training (BRBRAITT) in Jabalpur. The initiative is part of the Department of Telecommunications’ plan to set up the Telecom Innovation, Research and Training Centre (TIRTC) to create a skilled, future-ready workforce. It aligns with the Skill India and Atmanirbhar Bharat missions, aiming to foster telecom R&D, innovation, and industry-led skill development nationwide.

ISRO has set its target for the first quarter of 2027 to launch the upgraded LVM3 heavy-lift vehicle equipped with a semi-cryogenic propulsion stage. This enhancement involves replacing the L110 liquid stage with the SC120 semi-cryogenic stage powered by the SE2000 engine, which uses refined kerosene (RP-1) and liquid oxygen. The upgrade increases payload capacity to around 5,200 kg for GTO missions, cuts launch costs by approximately 25%, and improves environmental safety. The adoption of semi-cryogenic technology marks a major step in India’s heavy-lift capabilities, supporting next-generation space missions under the planned Next Generation Launch Vehicle framework.