Science and Technology (S&T) Digest, 01-15 February 2023, Issue 7

Dr Saroj Bishoyi, Research Fellow, VIF

February 22 , 2023 Views: 1814 Comments: 0

In this Issue

I. DEFENCE AND SECURITY

Defence Budget for the Financial Year 2023-24

The Ministry of Defence has been allocated a total Budget of Rs 5,93,537.64 crore (about US $72 billion), which is 13.18 percent of the total Union Budget for Financial Year (FY) 2023-24. Accordingly, the Capital Allocations pertaining to modernisation and infrastructure development of the Defence Services has been increased to Rs 1,62,600 crore representing a rise of Rs 10,230 crore (6.7 percent) over FY 2022-23. Towards strengthening Research and Development in Defence, the allocation to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been enhanced by 9 percent, with a total allocation of Rs 23,264 crore in BE 2023-24. To further foster innovation, encourage technology development and strengthen the Defence Industrial ecosystem in the country, iDEX and DTIS have been allocated Rs 116 crore and Rs 45 crore respectively representing an enhancement of 93 percent for iDEX and 95 percent for DTIS over 2022-23. For more information: Click here to read...

Mission Mode Projects of the DRDO

As on 3 February 2023, the DRDO is working on 55 Mission Mode (MM) Projects for a total sanctioned cost of Rs 73,942.82 crore. These are in the area of Decoys, Nuclear Defence Technologies, Air Independent Propulsion (AIP), Combat Suite, Propulsion System, Air Droppable Container, Torpedo, Fighter Aircraft, Cruise Missile, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, AEW&C Aircraft System, Gas Turbine Engine, Assault Rifle, Warhead, Light Machine Gun, Rocket, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Infantry Combat Vehicle Command, Ordnance Disposal System, Tactical Radios, EW Systems, Radars, Life Support System, Geographical Information System, Surface to Air Missile, Anti-ship Missile, anti-Airfield Weapon, Glide Bomb, Simulator etc. For more information: Click here to read...

PM Modi Inaugurates HAL’s Helicopter Manufacturing Factory

In yet another step towards ‘Aatmanirbharta’ or Self-Reliant in defence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Helicopter Factory to the nation in Tumakuru, Karnataka on 6 February 2023. The Prime Minister lauded the talent and innovation of Karnataka youth and said the manufacturing sector’s strength is manifested in products from drones to Tejas fighter planes. “Double-engine government has made Karnataka the first choice of investors” the Prime Minister asserted and illustrated the point by the HAL project dedicated for which the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone in 2016 with a pledge for reducing the foreign dependence for defence needs. For more information: Click here to read...

PM Modi Inaugurates 14th edition of Aero India 2023

Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the 14th edition of Aero India 2023 at Air Force Station, Yelahanka in Bengaluru on 13 February 2023. The theme of Aero India 2023 is “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities’ and will witness participation by more than 80 countries along with 800 defence companies including around 100 foreign and 700 Indian companies. In line with the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’, the event will focus on displaying indigenous equipment/technologies and forging partnerships with foreign companies. Prime Minister’s emphasis on Aatmanirbharta in the Indian Defence sector will also be displayed, as the event will showcase the country’s progress in design leadership, growth in UAVs Sector, Defence Space and futuristic technologies. For more information: Click here to read...

MoD Signs Contract with L&T for Procurement of 41 Indigenous Modular Bridges

In a major boost to indigenisation of defence equipment under Prime Minister Modi’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, Ministry of Defence has approved the proposal for indigenous manufacture of 41 sets of Modular Bridges for the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army. These game-changing bridges have been designed and developed by the DRDO and shall be produced by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) as DRDO-nominated production agency. The contract for the procurement of Modular Bridges was signed with L&T on 8 February 2023 at an estimated cost of over Rs 2,585 crore. For more information: Click here to read...

Indigenous Manufacturing of AK-203 Rifles

Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) is a joint venture company established for indigenous production of AK-203 Rifles. IRRPL has established all facilities to commence production of indigenized assault rifle at Korwa, Uttar Pradesh (UP). The Rifles are currently under manufacturing and testing stage. Indigenization of AK-203 Rifles will lead to self-sufficiency in respect of Assault Rifles for Indian Defence Forces, which is in the spirit of “Atmanirbhar Bharat”. For more information: Click here to read...

Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor

In Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor (TNDIC), five nodes namely Chennai, Coimbatore, Hosur, Salem and Tiruchirappalli have been identified. As per information received from Government of Tamil Nadu, arrangements have been made through Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) etc. for potential investment of Rs 11,794 crore by 53 Industries & Organisations in TNDIC. As on date, Rs 3,861 crore have already been invested by the Industries/Organisations. The setting up of new industries in an area generates opportunities for direct and indirect employment. For more information: Click here to read...

II. STI IN SPACE SECTOR

SSLV Launches Three Satellites

On 10 February 2023, Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) successfully launched three satellites into their intended orbits. In its second developmental flight, the SSLV-D2 vehicle placed EOS-07, Janus-1 and AzaadiSAT-2 satellites into their intended 450 km circular orbit with an inclination of 37 degrees. It took-off from the first launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota at 09:18 hours IST and took about 15 minutes to inject the satellites. SSLV is the new small satellite launch vehicle developed by ISRO to cater the launch of small satellites up to 500 kg to Low Earth Orbits on ‘launch-on-demand’ basis. For more information: Click here to read...

Total Imports and Exports in Space Tech-Based Industry

In FY 2021-22, items worth Rs. 2,114 Crore (approx.) were imported for executing various projects/ programmes; and, Rs. 174.90 Crore was generated towards export of launch services, data sales and in-orbit support services and post-launch operations. As on 8 February 2023, 135 applications have been received by IN-SPACe from 135 Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) in the Space Sector, the Minister of Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said in the Lok Sabha in reply to a question on Start-Ups in Space. The Minister informed that a new Seed fund scheme has been approved by IN-SPACe Board to provide initial financial assistance to Indian space start-ups. A revised FDI policy in space sector to facilitate overseas investment in NGEs and a National Space Policy are also in the process of final approval of the Government. For more information: Click here to read...

Indian Objects Orbiting the Earth

There are a total of 111 payloads and 105 Space Debris identified as Indian Objects orbiting the Earth, as tracked and catalogued by USSPACECOM and published in spacetrack website, as on 20 January 2023. In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Dr Jitendra Singh said, all orbiting debris will have impact on the sustainability of outer space and future missions and added that ISRO has been carrying out many studies on impacts of growing space debris on space environment. ISRO has carried out 21 collision avoidance manoeuvres of Indian Operational Space assets in 2022 to avoid collision threats from other space objects. For more information: Click here to read...

Augmenting Domestic Capacity for Realisation of Space Tourism

The Indian Government is taking measures to augment domestic capacity for future realisation of space tourism. In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Dr Jitendra Singh said, ISRO has also carried out a few feasibility studies for a sub-orbital space tourism mission onboard a liquid propellant stage booster. Gaganyaan, India’s maiden human spaceflight programme, ISRO is engaged in development of various technologies, which are essential building blocks for human space missions. The Minister informed that the objective of the Gaganyaan programme is the demonstration of human spaceflight capability to Low earth orbit. Future missions will be taken up after the accomplishment of Gaganyaan mission. For more information: Click here to read...

III. EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the capability of AI-enabled machines to use existing text, audio files, or images to create new content. The use of Generative AI is still in its early stages, and its impact is likely to grow as technology continues to evolve and improve. The Government is cognizant of the emergence of these technologies and their rapid proliferation in sectors like education, manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and others. There is no data available on Generative AI employment. However, as per NASSCOM data, the overall AI employment in India is estimated at about 416,000 professionals. The growth rate for the sector is estimated at about 20-25 percent. Further, AI is expected to contribute an additional USD 957 billion to India’s economy, by 2035. For more information: Click here to read...

Startup India Seed Fund Scheme

The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), a flagship scheme under Startup India initiative has been implemented with eﬀect from 1st April 2021. Under the Scheme, Rs. 477.25 crore has been approved to 133 incubators of which Rs. 211.63 crore has been disbursed as on 31st December 2022, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Som Parkash said in his reply to a Parliament Question on 3 February 2023. The SISFS has been approved with a corpus of Rs. 945 crore for the period of 4 years starting from 2021-22. Other ﬂagship schemes under Startup India initiative include Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) extend support to startups at various stages of their business cycle. For more information: Click here to read...

Use of Drone Technology in Coal Mines

Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL), the premier Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Coal has introduced drone technology in coal mines by launching a web- based portal VIHANGAM along with a drone and ground control system. The portal allows an authorised person to access real time drone video from the mine through a dedicated 40 Mbps internet lease line near the mines. There is a control station that flies the drone and the system can be operated through the portal from anywhere. This pilot project is at present operational at Bhubaneswari and Lingraj opencast mines of Talcher Coalfields. MCL is making use of drone technology for environmental monitoring, volume measurement and photogrammetric mapping of mine for digitalization of mining process. Besides deploying state- of- art technology to further enhance record coal production, MCL has also stepped up the use of latest equipment to further enhance safety standards. For more information: Click here to read...

Promoting Drones in Agriculture Sector

The Indian government has released funds amounting to Rs. 126.99 crores towards Kisan Drone promotion based on the proposals received so far. This includes Rs. 52.50 crores released to the ICAR for purchase of 300 Kisan Drones and organizing their demonstrations on the farmers’ fields in 75000 hectares through 100 KVKs, 75 ICAR institutions and 25 SAUs. It also includes funds released to various State Governments for supply of more than 300 Kisan Drone to farmers on subsidy and establishment of more than 1500 Kisan Drone CHCs to provide drone services to the farmers. The use of Kisan Drones has a potential to provide ample opportunities of employment to people in rural areas. For more information: Click here to read...

5G Services in India

Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have started providing 5G services in the country from 1st October 2022 onwards. As on 31 January 2023, 5G services have been started in 238 cities distributed across all license service areas. The Indian Government has established a road map to make 5G services available in different parts of the country through rollout obligations. As per the Notice Inviting Application (NIA) dated 15 June 2022 for auction of spectrum and the license conditions, the rollout obligations are required to be met over a period of five years, in a phased manner, from the date of allocation of spectrum. For more information: Click here to read...

Initiatives to Promote Electricity Mobility and Increase Charging Stations for EVs

Several initiatives have been taken to promote electricity mobility including Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles (EVs). The steps taken to increase the number of the charging stations across the country include: Ministry of Power along with Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Heavy Industries and NITI Aayog has launched a nationwide “Go Electric” Campaign on 19 February 2021 to educate the general public on the benefits of EVs. Action plans for 9 major cities have been prepared by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) for installation of Public Charging Stations. As per the initial estimates, a total of 46,397 Public Charging Stations (PCS) are being targeted in these cities by 2030. For more information: Click here to read...

TRAI Releases Consultation Paper on Digital Connectivity Infrastructure

On 11 February 2023, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released the Consultation Paper on “Introduction of Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Provider Authorization under Unified License (UL)”. The purpose of this Consultation Paper is to seek views of stakeholders on the proposed DCIP authorization under Unified License. A robust Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI) contributes significantly to economic development both by increasing productivity and by providing amenities that enhance the quality of life. DCI plays a vital and leading role in successful implementation of various Government schemes under Digital India, Make in India, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), and development of Smart Cities. For more information: Click here to read...

Digital Transactions Increasing in India

Digital payment transactions have significantly increased as a result of coordinated efforts of the Government as a whole, along with all stake holders concerned, from 2,071 crore transactions in FY 2017-18 to 8,840 crore transactions in FY 2021-22 (Source: RBI, NPCI and banks). During last five years, various easy and convenient modes of digital payments, including Bharat Interface for Money-Unified Payments Interface (BHIM-UPI), Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), and National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) have registered substantial growth and have transformed digital payment ecosystem by increasing person-to-person (P2P) as well as person-to-merchant (P2M) payments. BHIM UPI has emerged as the preferred payment mode of the citizens and has recorded 803.6 crore digital payment transactions with the value of ₹ 12.98 lakh crore in January 2023. For more information: Click here to read...

Digitization of Courts in India

The Indian Government has launched the eCourts Integrated Mission Mode Project in the country for computerization of District and subordinate courts with the objective of improving access to justice using technology. As part of the National eGovernance Plan, the project is under implementation since 2007 for ICT development of the Indian Judiciary based on the “National Policy and Action Plan for Implementation of Information and Communication Technology in the Indian Judiciary”. eCourts project is being implemented in association with e-Committee Supreme Court of India and Department of Justice. Phase I of the project was implemented during 2011-2015. Phase II of the project started in 2015 under which 18,735 District & Subordinate courts have been computerised. For more information: Click here to read...

Six Greenfield Airports Operationalised since 2019

Since 2019, six Greenfield airports namely, Kalaburagi (project cost Rs. 175.57 crore), Orvakal (Kurnool) (project cost Rs. 187 crore), Sindhudurg (project cost Rs. 520 crore), Itanagar (project cost Rs. 646 crore)Kushinagar (project cost Rs. 448 crore) and Mopa (project cost Rs.2870 crore) have been operationalised, out of which Kushinagar and Mopa airports are International airports. For more information: Click here to read...

India’s Nuclear Power Capacity Increasing

India’s Nuclear Power capacity witnessed a quantum jump since 2014. Going by the exact figures, in the year 2013-14 if the annual nuclear power generation stood at 35,333 Million Units, in the latest year of 2021-22 it stands at 47,112 Million Units which is nearly 30 to 40 percent increase within a short span of over eight and a half years. Dr Jitendra Singh noted that the world’s first thorium based nuclear plant “Bhavni” using Uranium-233 is being set up at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu. It is going to be entirely indigenous and the first-of-its-kind. The experimental thorium plant “Kamini” already exists in Kalpakkam. For more information: Click here to read...

IV. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

India-Argentina S&T Cooperation

A high level delegation led by Argentina’s Minister of Science, Technology & Innovation of Argentina, Mr Daniel Filmus visited India and called on Dr Jitendra Singh. During the visit, the two sides discussed bilateral collaboration on a wide range of areas, including the Argentina Minister sought India’s support to deploy technologies for implementation by industry and facilitating the entrepreneurs in Argentina. Dr Jitendra Singh informed his Argentinian counterpart Mr Filmus that Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), with world-class expertise and facilities, is one of the largest industrial R&D organizations in the world with 37 multi-disciplinary R&D institutes located across India. With its state-of-the-art expertise, capacities and capabilities CSIR could contribute effectively towards Research and Innovation Collaborations, Technology Partnerships, Research Infrastructure Development & Sharing, and Capacity Building. For more information: Click here to read...

India-EU Technology Cooperation

On 6 February 2023, under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), India and the EU announced the establishment of the three Working Groups: i) Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance and Digital Connectivity; ii) Green & Clean Energy Technologies; and, iii) Trade, Investment & Resilient Value Chains. The TTC is a strategic coordination mechanism that will allow both partners to tackle challenges at the nexus of trade, trusted technology and security, and thus deepen cooperation in these fields between India and the EU. It will be co-chaired on the Indian side by the Ministers for External Affairs; Commerce & Industry; and Communications, Electronics & Information Technology. For more information: Click here to read...

India-France Tech Cooperation

Prime Minister Modi participated in a video call with President of France Emmanuel Macron on the occasion of the launch of a partnership between Air India and Airbus. Air India and Airbus have signed a contract for the supply of 250 aircraft, 210 single-aisle A320neos and 40 widebody A350s to Air India. This commercial partnership between these two players of the aviation sector also displays the strength of the India-France Strategic Partnership, which marks its 25th anniversary this year. Complimenting the strong presence of French companies in India, Prime Minister also recalled the recent decision by French aerospace engine manufacturer SAFRAN to set up its largest MRO facility in India to service aircraft engines for both Indian and international carriers. For more information: Click here to read...

India-US Tech Cooperation

On 14 February 2023, President Joe Biden had a phone call with Prime Minister Modi to discuss the historic agreement for Air India to purchase over 200 American-made aircraft from Boeing. President Biden noted how the sale will support over one million American jobs across 44 states, and help Air India meet growing demands for air transportation in India. The two leaders also discussed the importance of the strategic technology partnership between the two countries, highlighting the recent inaugural launch of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) hosted in Washington in January 2023. For more information: Click here to read...

V. REGIONAL AND GLOBAL TRENDS

AI Chatbots: Next US-China Tech War

After Chip War, China is getting ready for the next tech war against the US amid rapid advances in generative AI in recent months. Chinese companies are stepping up efforts to enter the fast-growing AI content sector. But apart from the hype and excitement, people are probably missing the threat factors, especially with China in the AI game. An American company, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has swept the globe because of its advanced conversational features since its launch in November 2022. On 6 February 2023, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai announced the launch of its own AI chatbot, Bard, in a blog post. Google’s Chinese equivalent, Baidu Inc, revealed on 7 February that it will complete internal testing of Ernie Bot, a comparable AI chatbot project, by March and then go live. For more information: Click here to read...

Japan, Netherlands to Join US in Restricting Chinese Accesses to Advanced Materials

The US, Japan, and the Netherlands are also in discussions to restrict China’s access to materials for semiconductor technology and for the manufacturing of advanced processor chips which, they claim, can be used in weapons. The Chinse government has protested the move and continue to do so, claiming the West is trying to “maintain its hegemony” and containing China by abusing export controls. It charges the United States of encouraging other countries ganging up against China as well. For more information: Click here to read...

ASML says Chinese Employee Stole Information about Its Technology

The Netherlands’ ASML, one of the world’s major suppliers to the semiconductor industry and the sole producer of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography photolithography devices, has claimed that a former employee in China stole sensitive technological information in a data breach. Based on its preliminary investigations, ASML believes that the misappropriated data will not have a negative impact on its current operations, although it concedes that some “export control requirements” may have been breached. ASML has subsequently disclosed the data breach to the appropriate authorities, and it is “implementing further corrective steps in light of this event.” According to a Gartner report, ASML is a crucial cornerstone of the worldwide technology supply chain, holding over 90 per cent of the global market for chipmaking lithography equipment by 2021. For more information: Click here to read...

South Korea Concerned about Possible Leakage of Trade Secrets to China

As a result of the United States sweeping sanctions on Chinese tech companies, South Korea, one of China’s largest trading partners is now worried that certain companies may leak trade secrets to the Chinese. After getting Japan and the Netherlands to impose certain trade restrictions on the country, particularly those that would not allow tech companies based in these countries to sell technology or machinery that would allow the Chinese to develop the latest generation of semiconductors, the US is now going after China’s trade with South Korea. According to Korean specialists, as US’ efforts to deny China access to chip innovations increase, South Korea is on the lookout for technical knowledge and guides being leaked to China. In the last 5-6 years, China has reportedly been involved in over 110 cases of corporate espionage and industrial espionage with South Korean tech companies. Of these, about 36 have been related to tech which is at the centre of South Korea’s tech industry. For more information: Click here to read...

US Military Shot Down the Chinese Surveillance Balloon and Unidentified Objects

The US military shot down the Chinese surveillance balloon in early February 2023 and subsequently three unidentified objects. Since then US-China tensions have been high. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken abruptly called off his planned 5 February trip to Beijing. Just days later, the Pentagon said China refused a call from US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Administration officials say the device was part of an international “high-altitude balloon programme for intelligence collection” by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) that has flown over 40 countries. Beijing maintains that the balloon was a civilian airship used for meteorological research. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden said that the incident “underscores the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between our diplomats and military professionals” and reiterated that his administration is “not looking for a new Cold War” with China. For more information: Click here to read...

The UK Falling Behind in the Global Semiconductor Race

As nations around the world scramble to secure crucial semiconductor supply chains over fears about relations with China, the UK is falling behind. Britain’s government has been readying a plan to diversify supply chains for key components and boost domestic production. However, a lack of experience and joined-up policy-making in Whitehall, a period of intense political upheaval in Downing Street, and new US controls on the export of advanced chips to China, have collectively stymied the UK’s efforts to develop its own coherent plan. Against this backdrop, many of the UK’s allies are investing billions in domestic manufacturing. The Biden administration’s CHIPS Act, passed last summer, offers $52 billion in subsidies for semiconductor manufacturing in the US. The EU has its own €43 billion plan to subsidize production — although its own stance is not without critics. Emerging producers like India, Vietnam, Singapore and Japan are also making headway in their own multi-billion-dollar efforts to foster domestic manufacturing. Now the UK government is under mounting pressure to show its own hand. For more information: Click here to read...

In this Issue

I. Defence and Security

II. STI in Space Sector

III. Emerging Technologies and Applications

IV. International Cooperation

V. Regional and Global Trends

I. DEFENCE AND SECURITY

II. STI IN SPACE SECTOR

III. EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS

IV. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

V. REGIONAL AND GLOBAL TRENDS