Science and Technology (S&T) Digest, 16-30 November 2022, Issue 2

Dr Saroj Bishoyi, Research Fellow, VIF

December 5 , 2022 Views: 2020 Comments: 0

In this Issue

I. DEFENCE AND SECURITY

Project 15B Stealth Guided Missile Destroyers Delivered to the Indian Navy

On 24 November 2022, Y 12705 (Mormugao), the second ship of Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyers being built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), was delivered to the Indian Navy. The contract for four ships of Project 15B was signed on 28 January 2011. The delivery of Mormugao is an affirmation of the impetus being given by the Government of India and the Indian Navy towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ as part of celebration of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
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India Carries Out Successful Training Launch of IRBM, Agni-3

India carried out a successful training launch of an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM), Agni-3 from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha on 23 November 2022. It was part of routine user training launches carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC). It was carried out for a predetermined range and validated all operational parameters of the system.
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Export of Defence Items and Technology Increasing

India achieved exports of defence items and technology worth a record Rs 13,000 crores in 2021-22 and this figure is likely to rise to Rs 17,000 crores in 2022-23, stated Srikar K. Reddy, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Government of India on 29 November 2022. He added in the statement that “Several factors like rising demand, greater innovation, more conducive policies and a maturing ecosystem in defence and aerospace manufacturing space are leading to the growth in the sector.”
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II. STI IN SPACE SECTOR

Maiden Private Vikram-Suborbital (VKS) Rocket Launched

On 18 November 2022, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) made history by launching successfully India’s maiden private Vikram-suborbital (VKS) rocket. This is a major milestone in the journey of ISRO, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unlocked the Space Sector in 2020 for private participation. ISRO in a statement said that Mission Prarambh is successfully accomplished. It carried a total of three payloads in space, including one from the foreign customers.
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Earth Observation Satellite-6 (EOS-6) Launched

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in partnership with Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) among others launched the third generation Indian satellite for monitoring the oceans, formally named as Earth Observation Satellite-6 (EOS-6), from its First Launch Pad (FLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota on 26 November 2022. The ocean observing mission is a follow up to OceanSat-1 or IRS-P4 and OceanSat-2 launched in 1999 and 2009, respectively.
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III. EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS

India Ranks at 61st as per Network Readiness Index 2022

India has improved its position by six slots and is now placed at 61st rank as per the Network Readiness Index 2022 (NRI 2022) report released recently by the Portulans Institute, an independent non-profit, nonpartisan research and educational institute based in Washington DC. In its latest version of 2022, the NRI Report maps the network-based readiness landscape of 131 economies based on their performances in four different pillars: Technology, People, Governance, and Impact covering a total of 58 variables. India secured 1st rank in “AI talent concentration”, 2nd rank in “Mobile broadband internet traffic within the country” and “International Internet bandwidth”, 3rd rank in “Annual investment in telecommunication services” and “Domestic market size”, 4th rank in “ICT Services exports”, 5th rank in “FTTH/Building Internet subscriptions” and “AI scientific publications”.
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Number of Startups and Unicorns in India Growing

A Digital India Startup Hub Launched in Karnataka

The Minister of State for E&IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar inaugurated a Digital India start-up hub at the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) centre at Davanagere, Karnataka on 25 November 2022. This is the 63rd STPI centre in the country and the fifth in the Karnataka. The Minister said that India has the fastest growing innovation system with more than 80,000 Start-ups and over 107 Unicorns.
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Start-Ups as a Force Multiplier in the Sphere of Technology and Innovation

Technology, innovation and problem-solving approach of start-ups is a force multiplier which will help India acquire global dominance in the sphere of technology and innovation, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Piyush Goyal said at the 25th Bangaluru Tech Summit in Bengaluru on 18 November 2022. The Minister pointed out that over 40 out of the 107 unicorns are housed in Bengaluru and a huge ecosystem has been created here in form of private equity investors, venture capitalists, R&D centres, incubation centres, and the very high quality of talent and manpower skills.
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Start-up Applications for MAARG Portal Launched

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has launched startup applications for the MAARG portal, the National Mentorship Platform by Start-up India. To further boost the Indian start-up ecosystem, currently ranked 3rd largest globally, Start-up India is focused on catalysing the start-up culture and building a strong and inclusive ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship in India. Start-ups can now effectively connect with academicians, industry experts, successful founders, seasoned investors, and other experts from across the globe, through Artificial Intelligence (AI) based matchmaking, to get personalized guidance on growth and strategy.
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MeitY Invites Feedback on the Draft ‘Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022’

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has been deliberating on various aspects of digital personal data and its protection, and has formulated a draft Bill, titled ‘The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022’. The purpose of the draft Bill is to provide for the processing of digital personal data in a manner that recognizes both the right of individuals to protect their personal data and the need to process personal data for lawful purposes, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The Ministry has invited feedback from the public on the draft Bill Chapter wise Feedback may be submitted by 17 December 2022.
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Controlling Noise in the Domain of Quantum Technology

A new study conducted by Bengaluru-based scientists has thrown fresh light on how a charged particle in contact with an environment in the presence of a magnetic field behaves when it is subjected to ultra-cold temperatures. Scientists involved in the study have said that the latest findings could deepen existing knowledge and explore ways to control noise in the domain of quantum technology.
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S&T in Telecom Sector

TRAI Releases Recommendations on Regulatory Framework for Data Economy

On 18 November 2022, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its recommendations on ‘Regulatory Framework for Promoting Data Economy Through Establishment of Data Centres (DCs), Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), and Interconnect Exchanges (IXPs) in India’. The Authority suo-moto issued detailed Consultation Paper (CP) on the subject and after considering the comments/ inputs received from the stakeholders during consultation process and further analysis of the issues, Authority has finalized these Recommendations to boost to digital infrastructure ecosystem in the country including DCs, CDNs and IXPs.
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Entrepreneurship Cell and Centre of Innovation Inaugurated

On 23 November 2022, the Entrepreneurship Cell and Centre of Innovation (COI) was established at the Delhi campus of the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the Telecom R&D Centre of the Government of India. COI has been established to spur indigenous innovation and entrepreneurship in various domains of Telecom like IoT/M2M, AI/ML, 5G, etc. by encouraging local start-ups to play a significant role in strengthening the overall technological framework.
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S&T in Energy

Development of Small Modular Reactors (SMR) for Clean Energy Transition

India is taking steps for development of Small Modular Reactors (SMR), with up to 300 MW capacity to fulfill its commitment to Clean Energy transition. SMR is a promising technology in industrial de-carbonization especially where there is a requirement of reliable and continuous supply of power. It is said that SMR is simpler and safer as compared to large nuclear plants. However, “Technology sharing and availability of funding are the two crucial links for ensuring commercial availability of SMR technology.”
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India’s first Centre of Excellence for Green Port & Shipping Established

The Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal announced the establishment of India’s first National Centre of Excellence for Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS), a major initiative by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping towards providing greener solutions. The centre aims to develop a regulatory framework and alternate technology adoption road map for Green Shipping to foster carbon neutrality and circular economy (CE) in shipping sector in India.
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S&T in Health

MoU Signed for Promotion of Research and Scientific Intervention in the Ayush Sector

On 25 November 2022, the Ministry of Ayush and Department of Science and Technology (DST) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will identify the potential areas of research to explore cooperation, convergence, and synergy for evidence-based scientific intervention in the Ayush sector and further application of these into the public health care system. Secretary, DST said that “Traditional knowledge and modern science are joining hands especially in health sciences…we will come up with solutions, which will be available at affordable prices.”
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S&T in Education

Workshop for Digital Transformation of EMRSs

National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) in collaboration with Microsoft Corporation India Private Limited organized an online workshop for Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) Principals and School Heads on “Education Transformation Framework” (ETF) on 21 November 2022. The workshop was first in its journey of transformation, other components include professional development of teachers using Microsoft Technologies & AI applications; building exposure of students to AI & Coding; sharing of Coding Curriculum for Grade 6th to 12th & AI curriculum for Grade 8th to 12th; workshop on Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) program etc.
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MoU Signed with Six Indian Engineering Institutes

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with top six engineering institutes of India: i) Indian Institute of Technology BHU, ii) Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur, iii) Indian Institute of Technology Indore, iv) Indian Institute of Technology Patna, v) Indian Institute of Technology Madras, and vi) National Institute of Technology Trichy; for introducing Indian standards as an integral part of the curriculum. This is initiative is towards institutionalizing engagement of BIS with the eminent institutes for securing active participation of academia. It will promote excellence and leadership in teaching and research & development in the field of Science and various disciplines in the respective institutes.
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Other Socio-Cultural Sectors

Fourth Phase of Digital Shakti 4.0 Campaign Launched

In line with its commitment to create safe spaces for women and girls online, the National Commission for Women (NCW) launched the fourth phase of Digital Shakti Campaign, a pan-India project on digitally empowering and skilling women and girls in the cyberspace, on 16 November 2022. Digital Shakti 4.0 is focused on making women digitally skilled and aware to stand up against any illegal/inappropriate activity online. NCW launched it in collaboration with Cyber Peace Foundation and Meta.
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First Edition of the Film Technology Exhibition Held in Goa

International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2022, which was hosted by Goa from 20 to 28 November 2022, provided a new and exciting experience to the film enthusiasts this year. Film Technology Exhibition at the 53rd IFFI showcased technology and various elements pertaining to film art/cinema and aesthetics. Film enthusiasts visiting the exhibition are being taken through the inter-linkages of technology in the context of film art and aesthetics and also how these elements come together and enrich viewer experience.
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IV. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Preparations of Science-20 Meetings of the G-20 Summit

On 19 November 2022, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) S&T and Earth Sciences, Jitendra Singh chaired a high level review meeting for the preparations of Science-20 (S-20) meetings of the G-20 Summit to be held in Delhi 2023. The meeting was attended by Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India Ajay Kumar Sood and Secretaries of all the six Science Ministries and Departments, including Science & Technology, Biotechnology, CSIR, Earth Sciences, Space and Atomic Energy. Apart from S-20 Summit and Side meetings, another important event assigned to DST is Research Innovation Initiated Gathering (RIIG) with side events. The Minister said that the expected deliverables of the S-20 and RIIG will be Creation of better and encouraging frameworks for environmentally responsible technologies and assertion of IP sharing and technology transfers, Creation of a global ecosystem for start-up mentorship and funding, Encouragement of more mega science projects, among others. The S-20 Summit meeting will be held in Coimbatore from 21 to 22 July 2023 with the theme of “Disruptive Science for Innovative and Sustainable Growth”.
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India will Work Jointly with G-20 Partners on Digital Technologies

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address at the G-20 Summit in Bali on 16 November 2022 said that Digital transformation is the most remarkable change of our era. The proper use of digital technologies can become a force multiplier in the decades-long global fight against poverty. Digital solutions can also be helpful in the fight against climate change – as we all saw in the examples of remote-working and paperless green offices during Covid. But these benefits will be realized only when the digital access is truly inclusive and when the use of digital technology is really widespread. During its G-20 Presidency next year, India will work jointly with G-20 partners towards this objective.
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India Takes Over the Chair of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence

On 22 November 2022, India assumed the Chair of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), an international initiative to support responsible and human-centric development and use of AI. India is building an ecosystem of modern cyber laws and framework that is driven by three boundary conditions of openness, safety and trust and accountability. AI is expected to add USD $967 Bn to Indian economy by 2035 and USD 450–500 billion to India’s GDP by 2025, accounting for 10% of the country’s USD 5 trillion GDP target. AI is a Kinetic enabler for growth of India’s Technology ecosystem and a force multiplier for achieving $1 Trillion Digital Economy goal by 2025.
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India-Bhutan Satellite Cooperation

On 26 November 2022, the India-Bhutan SAT, jointly developed by India and Bhutan was launched into space by ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The PSLV C54 carried the India-Bhutan SAT, along with India's Earth Observation Satellite -06 and other satellites from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India. The India-Bhutan SAT will provide high resolution images to Bhutan for their natural resources management.
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India-France Defence Tech Cooperation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held the 4th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue with the French Minister of Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu in New Delhi on 28 November 2022. During the dialogue, one of the key areas of discussion was defence industrial cooperation with a focus on ‘Make in India’. Future collaborations and potential co-production opportunities were discussed. The Ministers agreed that the technical groups from both the countries should meet early next year and take the key cooperation issues forward.For more information: Click here to read...

India-Germany S&T Cooperation

A total of 11 career researchers from India and Germany have received the ‘Paired Early Career Fellowship in Applied Research (PECFAR)’ which will facilitate their short-duration visit to explore opportunities for connecting and networking for research collaborations between India and Germany in frontier areas of S&T. This is the first time researchers have received this award under the PECFAR, which was launched recently to facilitate a two-way exchange between early-career researchers from India and German.
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India-US Defence Tech Cooperation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in Siem Reap, Cambodia on 22 November 2022 where they discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest while expressing their commitment to a strong India-US defence cooperation. Defence Minister Singh emphasised the need for both countries to work together for capability building in critical domains such as military aviation, artificial intelligence and cyber technology, and he also highlighted a number of areas where US defence companies can look for technology cooperation and manufacturing opportunities with Indian partners in India.
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V. REGIONAL AND GLOBAL TRENDS

Global Semiconductor Revenue Growth to Decline in 2023

According to the latest forecast from Gartner, global semiconductor revenue is projected to decline 3.6% to total $596 billion in 2023, down from the previous forecast of $623 billion. In 2022, the market is on pace to grow 4% and total $618 billion. Practice Vice President at Gartner, Richard Gordon said that “Rapid deterioration in the global economy and weakening consumer demand will negatively impact the semiconductor market in 2023.”
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US FCC Bans Import and Sale of Technology from Chinese Companies

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned the import and sale of certain Chinese technology equipment that it determined poses “an unacceptable risk to national security.” FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said in a statement that the order bars equipment from the Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE from approval, and equipment from Dahua, Hikvision and Hytera can be approved for import and sale only if they assure the FCC that their equipment won’t be used for public safety, security of government facilities or other national security purposes.
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AI Blood Testing Technology Developed

A new artificial intelligence blood testing technology developed and used by researchers of Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center to successfully detect lung cancer in a 2021 study has now detected more than 80% of liver cancers in a new study of 724 people. The researchers believe this is the first genome-wide fragmentation analysis independently validated in two high-risk populations and across different racial and ethnic groups with different causes associated with their liver cancers.
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NVidia and Microsoft to Collaborate to Create AI Supercomputer

A “multi-year collaboration” between Nvidia and Microsoft is underway to create “one of the most powerful AI supercomputer’s in the world,” which will be able to manage the enormous processing workloads required to train and scale AI.
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