Current Affairs - Technology

ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) has developed two 32-bit microprocessors, Vikram 3201 and Kalpana 3201, for space applications. The Vikram 3201 is India's first fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessor, specifically qualified for use in launch vehicles. This development is a significant advancement from the 16-bit Vikram 1601, which has been operational in ISRO's avionics systems since 2009. These microprocessors will enhance the capabilities of ISRO's space missions and technologies.

SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) has partnered with DigiLocker to help investors store their demat and mutual fund holdings digitally, thus reducing the occurrence of unclaimed assets in the Indian securities market. This initiative includes a nomination facility that allows legal heirs to seamlessly transition assets upon the investor's demise. Additionally, KYC Registration Agencies (KRAs) will verify and notify the nominees, ensuring smooth access to financial information and streamlining the process for asset inheritance.

The Shri S Ramakrishnan Centre of Excellence in Fluid and Thermal Science Research was launched at IIT Madras. This state-of-the-art facility aims to address thermal challenges in space applications, particularly focusing on heat dissipation in satellites and launch vehicles. The centre is part of a collaboration between ISRO and IIT Madras, designed to enhance India’s self-reliance in space technologies and contribute to the country's future deep-space missions. The centre will also foster industry-academia collaborations to improve space research capabilities.

The Hyperloop testing facility where the 410-meter-long Hyperloop tube is being developed is located at IIT Madras. This tube is set to become the world’s longest high-speed tube. The project is supported by the Indian Railways Ministry, with funding and technical assistance, while the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) Chennai is responsible for developing the necessary electronic technology for the Hyperloop system. IIT Madras is also known for its innovations in fields like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and data science, as showcased during the Open House 2025 exhibition.

NASA is responsible for the PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) mission, which focuses on studying the Sun's corona, an important aspect of solar activity. The mission is part of a broader trend of increasing solar studies due to the Sun's nearing solar maximum. Solar maximum, when solar activity is at its peak, can affect satellite communications and power grids. NASA's PUNCH mission is one of the three major solar missions initiated since 2023 to better understand solar phenomena such as sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections.