Current Affairs - Technology

India’s first manned deep ocean mission, ‘Samudrayaan’, is set to be launched in 2026. The mission will utilise the indigenously developed submersible MATSYA 6000 to explore ocean depths of up to 6,000 meters. Spearheaded by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, this initiative is part of the broader Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) launched in 2021. With a focus on marine biodiversity, oceanic geology, and mineral exploration, Samudrayaan represents a major advancement in India's marine research capabilities and aligns with its strategic goals under the Blue Economy and Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water).

The LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration) mission, also known as Chandrayaan-5, is a collaborative lunar exploration project between India and Japan. The mission is targeted for launch in 2027-28 aboard Japan’s H3 rocket and aims to explore water and water-ice at the Moon’s south pole. ISRO (India) is building the lander, while JAXA (Japan) is responsible for developing the 350 kg rover. Both nations are contributing scientific instruments, with additional support from ESA and NASA. This joint venture marks a significant stride in international space collaboration, showcasing the growing global partnerships in planetary science and lunar research.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through its Kanpur-based lab DMSRDE, has developed an advanced nanoporous multilayered polymeric membrane specifically designed for high-pressure seawater desalination. This innovation supports the Indian Coast Guard by providing a stable and efficient onboard desalination solution tailored to India’s coastal conditions. The project was completed within eight months and has already passed technical trials on an Offshore Patrolling Vessel. The development marks a significant leap in indigenous defence and marine technology and aligns with the national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, reducing dependency on imported systems and enhancing maritime self-reliance.

Google has initiated the AI First India 2025 Startup Accelerator as part of its effort to promote the growth of AI-driven startups in India. This program is tailored specifically for startups in the Seed to Series A stages and emphasizes areas such as Agentic AI and Multimodal AI. Startups selected for the program will benefit from mentorship provided by Google experts, access to Cloud TPUs, AI development tools, and technical guidance for implementing advanced AI models such as Gemini and Gemma. The program reflects Google's commitment to fostering innovation and AI talent within India's tech ecosystem.

HCLTech has joined the European Commission’s AI Pact, reinforcing its commitment to ethical and responsible AI development. This voluntary initiative is designed to align companies with the forthcoming EU AI Act, the world’s first comprehensive legal framework for AI regulation. By signing the pact, HCLTech has pledged to implement strong AI governance strategies, identify and mitigate high-risk AI applications, and train its workforce in ethical AI use. The company has also established an Office of Responsible AI and Governance to drive fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI across its operations. This step positions HCLTech as a global leader in responsible AI innovation.