Current Affairs - Technology

China has deployed a Large Phased Array Radar (LPAR) system in Yunnan province, enhancing its surveillance capabilities, especially regarding India’s strategic defence operations. The radar, with a detection range exceeding 5,000 kilometres, can monitor vast areas, including significant portions of Indian territory and the Indian Ocean region. This advanced radar system raises concerns for India due to its ability to track missile tests and monitor maritime activities. India has responded by strengthening its own radar capabilities and exploring counter-surveillance strategies.

NASA successfully launched its SPHEREx space telescope on March 11, 2025, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. This mission, valued at $488 million, aims to map the entire sky using infrared technology to study galaxy evolution, the early universe, and interstellar ice. Unlike other telescopes, SPHEREx will focus on the collective cosmic glow from all galaxies, providing unique insights into the universe's formation and expansion. NASA's role in this mission highlights its ongoing efforts to explore and understand the cosmos.

The 1st Electronic Toy Hackathon (e-Toycathon 2025) was organized by C-DAC Noida under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s (MeitY’s) research initiatives. This event focused on creating engaging and educational toys that foster creativity, learning, and child development. The top prize was awarded to Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, for their innovative contributions to the electronic toy sector. The hackathon highlighted Noida as a key hub for technological advancements and innovation in India.

The next Planetary Parade, where seven planets align on one side of the Sun, is expected to occur in 2040. Such alignments are extremely rare, taking place only once in a few decades. During this event, five planets will be visible to the naked eye, while Uranus and Neptune will require telescopes to view due to their distance and faintness. This rare alignment is a fascinating spectacle for astronomers and skywatchers alike.

AIKosha, launched under the IndiaAI Mission, serves as a secure hub for AI innovation, offering datasets, models, and use cases. It features AI sandbox capabilities, content discoverability, and AI readiness scoring. AIKosha ensures data security with encryption, secure APIs, and real-time filtering. This initiative is designed to strengthen AI-driven research and innovation in India, playing a crucial role in advancing the country’s position as a global leader in artificial intelligence.