Current Affairs - Technology

Russia has developed and patented a pioneering technology that enables the launching of automatic spacecraft, including UAVs, directly from an orbital station. This innovation marks the creation of the world’s first drone platform in space, equipped with robots for maintenance tasks. The technology is set to be tested on the Russian Orbital Station (ROS) and has future applications planned for lunar exploration. This advancement highlights Russia’s ongoing efforts to expand capabilities in space technology and autonomous operations beyond Earth.

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a novel metal-based nanozyme designed to prevent abnormal blood clotting. This breakthrough is particularly significant in addressing conditions such as Pulmonary Thromboembolism (PTE) and thrombosis associated with COVID-19. Nanozymes are artificial nanomaterials that mimic the activity of antioxidant enzymes to control reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby helping to regulate platelet activity and prevent dangerous clot formations. The IISc team’s innovation could pave the way for advanced treatments in managing life-threatening clotting disorders.

BharatGen is a newly launched multimodal AI model developed in India that supports 22 Indian languages. This initiative was introduced at the BharatGen Summit and is part of the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS). Led by the TIH Foundation for IIT & IoE at IIT Bombay, BharatGen aims to foster innovation in AI that is ethical, multilingual, and deeply connected to Indian cultural values. The model's support for 22 languages ensures it can cater to a wide and diverse population, promoting inclusivity and better accessibility in AI technologies across the country.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced a $10 billion investment program over five years aimed at transforming India’s urban infrastructure. The plan includes expansions of metro rail systems, regional rapid transit systems (RRTS), and upgrades to core urban infrastructure such as water, sanitation, and waste management. This initiative was unveiled during a meeting between ADB President Masato Kanda and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2025. The program focuses on sustainable, inclusive, and resilient city development, supporting India’s vision for “Viksit Bharat @ 2047.” It also seeks to mobilize both sovereign and private capital, leveraging platforms like the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) for effective urban transformation.

China launched the Tianwen-2 spacecraft as part of its deep space exploration program, targeting the near-Earth asteroid 2016HO3 (Kamoʻoalewa) and main-belt comet 311P. The mission aims to return samples by 2027 and deepen scientific understanding of the solar system's formation by studying primitive celestial bodies. Technologically, Tianwen-2 demonstrates advanced capabilities in precision navigation, multi-target mission execution, and sample return, placing China alongside space powers like Japan and the United States. This mission reflects China’s growing ambitions in planetary science, asteroid mining, and planetary defense while contributing to global efforts in space research and innovation.