Science and Technology (S&T) Digest (16-31 December 2024), Issue 52

Dr Saroj Bishoyi, Research Fellow, VIF

January 17 , 2025 Views: 14 Comments: 0

In this Issue

I. Defence and Security

DRDO-Industry-Academia Global Approach to Readiness

DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) organised an event titled ‘DRDO-Industry-Academia - Global Approach to Readiness of Indigenous Military Applications’ (DIA-GARIMA) at IIT Delhi on 19 December 2024. During the event, 10 tripartite agreements were signed among DRDO, IIT Delhi and industry partners, in the presence of Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat; Director, IIT Delhi Prof Rangan Banerjee and industry representatives. To integrate academia and industry into defence R&D, DRDO promulgated the Long Term Directed Research Policy of Ministry of Defence. Under this policy, DIA-CoEs pursue focused directed research for developing futuristic defence technologies. Click here to read…

First of 14 FPV and First of Six NGOPV Being Constructed by MDL

Plate Cutting Ceremony for the first of the 14 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPV) and first of the six Next-Gen Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPV) being constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDL) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) took place in Mumbai on 19 December 2024. MDL was awarded a Rs 2,684 crore contract under the ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ category to build these vessels which will feature advanced technologies like drones for surveillance, AI for decision-making, an Integrated Bridge System for maneuverability, and an Integrated Machinery Control System for efficient operations. These state-of-the-art vessels are being indigenously designed, developed & constructed and will be delivered over the next few years, reinforcing the Government’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ & enhancing the nation’s defence production capabilities. Click here to read…

Commissioning of Indian Navy’s 2nd Survey Vessel INS Nirdeshak

INS Nirdeshak, the second ship of Survey Vessel (Large) project, was commissioned into the Indian Navy, in a ceremony presided over by Raksha Rajya Mantri, Sanjay Seth on 18 December 2024 at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command hosted the commissioning ceremony marking the formal induction of the second of the four ships of Survey Vessel (Large) project under construction at M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Kolkata. The ship is designed to conduct hydrographic surveys, aid in navigation, and support maritime operations. Speaking on the occasion RRM said that highly specialised ships – the Survey Vessels – play a vital role in charting the oceans. Click here to read…

Meeting for Ministry of Defence on Roles & Functions of New DPSUs

A meeting of Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh was held in New Delhi on 17 December 2024. The roles and functions of the new DPSUs, created post corporatisation of erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board, were deliberated upon during the meeting. The committee members were apprised on the financial figures, modernisation, capital expenditure, exports, new products developed and ongoing R&D projects. Raksha Mantri appreciated the efforts taken by the new DPSUs in indigenisation of critical products, modernisation of production facilities and promotion of MSMEs. He appreciated the fact that post corporatisation, the new DPSUs have shown improvement in productivity and quality. Click here to read…

Initiatives To Encourage Domestic Shipbuilding in India

As of 30 November 2024, India’s shipping fleet comprises 1,552 Indian-flagged vessels (Including Indian Controlled Tonnage), with a total of 13.65 million Gross Tonnage. The details of the Government initiatives to encourage domestic shipbuilding in the country are as under: To increase indigenous shipbuilding with regard to modern technologies and machinery, the Ministry has amended the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy (SBFAP) guidelines to include wind farm installation vessels and construction of sophisticated dredgers as specialized vessels which are eligible to get higher financial assistance, over and above ₹40 Crores which is upper limit for non-specialized vessels; financial assistance of 30% for vessels where main propulsion is achieved by means of green fuels such as Methanol/ Ammonia / Hydrogen fuel cells. Click here to read…

II. STI in Space Sector

ISRO’s Year End Mission SPADEX Mission Successfully Launched

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)’s Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) marks a groundbreaking achievement, placing India on par with global leaders in space docking technology. Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh hailed the mission as a milestone while addressing the media in New Delhi following the successful launch of PSLV-C60 from Sriharikota on 30 December 2024. Dr Jitendra Singh said, the SPADEX mission is a pivotal project by ISRO aimed at developing and demonstrating technologies for spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking using two small satellites. These capabilities are critical for future missions, including satellite servicing, space station operations, and interplanetary exploration, he said. The mission also includes post-docking activities, with spacecraft conducting independent payload operations. Click here to read…

Agnikul Cosmos to Develop and Commercialize “Agnibaan

In a ground breaking step, the Ministry of Science & Technology has announced its support for M/s Agnikul Cosmos Pvt. Ltd., Chennai, to develop and commercialize “Agnibaan,” a highly customizable two-stage launch vehicle capable of delivering payloads of upto 300 kg to orbits at 700 km altitude. This significant initiative is supported by the Technology Development Board (TDB), a statutory body under the Department of Science & Technology (DST). TDB has sanctioned financial assistance for the “Development and Commercialization of Modular Configurable Launch Vehicle for 100 Kg Payload.” The project aims to make satellite launches more accessible, efficient, and affordable. Click here to read…

Private Sector Involvement and Growth of Startups in the Space Sector

The Government of India has taken several steps to further promote private sector involvement and the growth of startups in the space sector in the country, including the space sector has been liberalised and private sector allowed to carry out end to end space activities; IN-SPACe was created in Department of Space for promoting, authorising and overseeing the activities of Non-Government Entities (NGEs) in Space Sector; the Indian Space Policy, 2023 has been formulated by the Government to provide regulatory certainty to space activities by various stakeholders, in order to create a thriving space ecosystem; various schemes to encourage and hand hold private sector also announced and implemented by IN-SPACe; and, the number of Space Start-Ups have gone up, from just 1 in 2014 to around 266. Click here to read…

The 12th Meeting of the NESAC Society Held in Agartala

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah chaired the 12th meeting of the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) Society in Agartala, Tripura on 21 December. In his address, Amit Shah said that after 25 years of establishment of NESAC Society, the positive aspects of the work being done by the Society are now visible. He said that the NESAC Society should further expand the scope of its work in these states, and, for this, initiatives should also be taken by the state governments. He urged the NESAC Society to take 100 students each with science background from all the states of the Northeast on a visit to the HQ of ISRO so that they can develop interest in space and related technology. He urged the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region to contribute 60 percent for this project. Click here to read…

Operationalisation of the Bharatiya Antriksh Station

Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) will fulfil the objectives of an orbiting Indian human spaceflight platform in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This will enable to undertake medium to long duration human spaceflight missions to LEO, as part of the sustained Indian human space program. Similar to other operational space stations, BAS will also comprise of multiple modules and state of the art technological capabilities for carrying out cutting edge scientific research and technology development activities in microgravity environment, targeted towards national priorities and societal applications. With the recent approval of revision in Gaganyaan Programme, the scope of the program has been expanded to include precursor missions to BAS. Click here to read…

III. Nuclear Technology

Nuclear Human Resource Development for a Net Zero Future

Human resource development is fundamental to the long-term sustainability and expansion of nuclear power. However, it stands out as one of the most significant challenges facing the industry due to the rigorous demands it places on the workforce. To help build and maintain the workforce needed to expand nuclear power at the scale envisioned, the IAEA offers capacity building initiatives such as Nuclear Knowledge Management (NKM) Schools, strategic planning training programmes, assist visits and fellowship opportunities. These initiatives are designed to prepare the next generation of professionals and bolster the skills of the current workforce to ensure that nuclear power continues to expand globally as IAEA strives to meet net zero goals. Click here to read…

US Concerned about Pakistan’s Long-Range Missile Programme

The United States is concerned about the proliferation threat posed by the long-range missile program pursued by Pakistan, a nuclear-armed state. During recent remarks at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, Deputy National Security Advisor (DyNSA) Jon Finer said that if Pakistan keeps developing increasingly sophisticated missile technology, “Pakistan would have the capability to strike targets well beyond South Asia, including in the United States, raising real questions about Pakistan’s intentions.” DyNSA Finer said that the United States has raised its concerns with Islamabad, but “[u]nfortunately, it is our sense that Pakistan has failed to take these concerns ... seriously.” As a result, the Biden Administration has implemented a series of steps to contend with further development of Pakistan’s long-range missile systems. Click here to read…

US Nuclear Buildup Would Not Deter China from Using Atomic Weapons

An unclassified war game conducted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) suggests that the United States' nuclear buildup would not help deter China from using atomic weapons in a potential conflict over Taiwan. The simulation, the first large-scale unclassified exercise of a potential nuclear war over Taiwan, found that while "favourable outcomes were possible, a complete victory was unachievable" if nuclear weapons were deployed. The exercise, conducted in response to growing calls for the US to modernise its nuclear weapons to counter China's increasing capabilities, explored conditions under which both the US and China might be pushed to use nuclear arms. Click here to read…

Promoting Safety of Nuclear Installations Worldwide

The year 2024 marked the 30th anniversary of the Convention on Nuclear Safety, a landmark international treaty aimed at promoting safety of nuclear installations worldwide. On 17 December 2024, Liberia became the latest Contracting Party to the Convention, bringing the total number to 96. “The Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) is the cornerstone of the international nuclear safety regime. As more countries are embracing nuclear power, their adherence to the convention and its principles is of paramount importance,” said Lydie Evrard, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. The CNS and its review process are responsive to global developments, and over the years, its Contracting Parties have demonstrated a firm commitment to improving the review process to ensure it remains fit for purpose. Click here to read…

IV. Emerging Technologies and Applications

Agreement Signed to Develop “Face Recognition Using Drone”

In a significant step towards advancing indigenous, state-of-the-art, next-generation telecommunications technology, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier telecom R&D centre under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has signed an agreement with Trois Infotech for its "Face Recognition Using Drone" technology. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the development of state-of-the-art indigenous telecom technologies and solutions, aligning with the vision of "Atmanirbhar Bharat" through C-DOT's Collaborative Programs (CCP). The scheme is designed to fund Indian startups, academia, and R&D institutions, acting as a crucial enabler for the design, development, and commercialization of telecommunication products and solutions. Click here to read…

PLI Scheme for Promoting Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices

The Government of India launched the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Promoting Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices in 2020, to promote indigenous manufacturing of medical devices. Total financial outlay of the scheme is Rs. 3,420 crore with production tenure from FY 2022-2023 to FY 2026-27. The scheme provides incentive to selected companies at the rate of 5% on incremental sales of medical devices manufactured in India and covered under the four Target segments of the scheme, for a period of five (5) years. Under the scheme, 19 green-field projects have been commissioned and production of 44 products including high end medical devices such as Linear Accelerator, MRI machines, CT-Scans, Mammograms, C- Arms, Ultrasound machines etc., which were previously imported into the country has started. Click here to read…

Nano-Plastics Identified as Emerging Agents in Spread of Antibiotic Resistance

Nanoplastics derived from single-use plastic bottles (SUPBs) contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance (AR), shows a new study, underscoring an unrecognized public health risk. The joint threats of plastic pollution and antibiotic resistance are growing concerns. Nanoplastics and microorganisms coexist in diverse environments, including the human gut. This problem led scientists from Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) Mohali, an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), to trace how plastic nanoparticles could impact bacteria. Recognizing the central role of Lactobacillus acidophilus in the gut microbiota, Dr. Manish Singh and his team investigated whether nano-plastics could transform beneficial bacteria into carriers of AR genes and pose a risk to human gut microbiome health. Click here to read…

Opportunity to Explore the Potential of AI in Addressing Critical Challenges

The Government of India launched the IndiaAI Mission on 7 March 2024, to bolster India's global leadership in AI and democratize the benefits of AI across all strata of society. To realise this vision, IndiaAI Mission has launched 7 key pillars to strengthen the domestic AI ecosystem. The ‘Safe & Trusted AI’ pillar within this initiative emphasizes the need for a balanced, technology-enabled, and India-specific approach to AI governance. This involves the development of indigenous technical tools, guidelines, frameworks, and standards that are contextualized to India’s unique challenges and opportunities as well as its social, cultural, linguistic, and economic diversity. Click here to read…

Fusion of Traditional Knowledge with Cutting-Edge Technologies

Fusion of traditional knowledge with modern technology could give India's advantage over others, Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said. The Minister underscored the transformative potential of blending India’s ancient wisdom with contemporary scientific innovations while speaking at the celebration of five years of the Science and Heritage Research Initiative (SHRI). Dr. Jitendra Singh lauded India’s heritage as a treasure trove of knowledge, with nearly 5 million ancient manuscripts, palm-leaf inscriptions, and thousands of historically significant monuments such as Konark, Khajuraho, and Chola temples etc. Each, he said, is a testament to India’s scientific prowess, architecture, and innovation. He pointed to key initiatives under SHRI, such as non-invasive techniques for heritage preservation, digitalizing the Ajanta caves, and artifact restoration. These efforts, he said, not only preserve India’s legacy but also showcase how heritage and technology can coexist to pave the way for societal progress. Click here to read…

V. International Cooperation

India-Kuwait Cooperation in the Area of Emerging Technologies

The two sides expressed interest in pursuing deeper collaboration in the area of technology including emerging technologies, semiconductors and artificial intelligence. They discussed avenues to explore B2B cooperation, furthering e-Governance, and sharing best practices for facilitating industries/companies of both countries in the policies and regulation in the electronics and IT sector. Two sides highlighted that education is an important area of cooperation including strengthening institutional linkages and exchanges between higher educational institutions of both countries. They also expressed interest in collaborating on Educational Technology, exploring opportunities for online learning platforms and digital libraries to modernize educational infrastructure. Click here to read…

India-UAE Cooperation in Defence, Emerging Technologies & Nuclear Energy

India and the UAE held the 4th Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi on 12 December 2024. India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan co-chaired the dialogue. The two sides held discussions to expand strategic partnership in several areas, including defence, emerging technologies, nuclear energy, polar research, critical minerals and renewable energy, among others. They also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest. The last edition of the Strategic Dialogue was held in Abu Dhabi in September 2022. The Ministers emphasized the importance of promoting greater cooperation in different fields such as space, healthcare, food security/ agritech, logistics and supply chains. Click here to read…

Promoting and Strengthening Awareness and Interest about Ayush Systems

The Ministry of Ayush, developed a central sector scheme for Promotion of International Cooperation for AYUSH. The objective of the scheme are to promote and strengthen awareness and interest about AYUSH Systems of Medicine at international level, to facilitate International promotion, development and recognition of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy, to foster interaction of stakeholders and market development of AYUSH at international level, to support international exchange of experts and information for promotion and propagation of AYUSH systems, to give boost to AYUSH products/ services / education/ research/ training globally, and to promote academics and research through establishment of AYUSH Academic Chairs in foreign countries. Click here to read…

Facilitating International Cooperation in Areas of STI

Ministry of Science and Technology is facilitating international cooperation in all major areas of Science, Technology and Innovation with 40 countries through instruments such as Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Letter of Intent (LoI), Programme of Cooperation (PoC) or other Agreements. Every year, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) launches about 15-18 joint calls for Research and Development (R&D) proposals to enhance international bilateral collaboration as well as multilateral collaboration. India is also participating in the state-of-the-art research facilities like Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) in Germany, Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) in USA, Square Kilometer Array (SKA) in Australia and South Africa wherein India works closely with many leading countries across the globe. Click here to read…

VI. Regional and Global Trends

Startup’s Autonomous Drones Precisely Track Warehouse Inventories

Whether you’re a fulfillment center, a manufacturer, or a distributor, speed is king. But getting products out the door quickly requires workers to know where those products are located in their warehouses at all times. That may sound obvious, but lost or misplaced inventory is a major problem in warehouses around the world. Corvus Robotics is addressing that problem with an inventory management platform that uses autonomous drones to scan the towering rows of pallets that fill most warehouses. The company’s drones can work 24/7, whether warehouse lights are on or off, scanning barcodes alongside human workers to give them an unprecedented view of their products. Click here to read…

Gaps in Regulation for AI Models and Non-AI Algorithms

In a recent commentary, a team from MIT, Equality AI, and Boston University highlights the gaps in regulation for AI models and non-AI algorithms in health care. One might argue that one of the primary duties of a physician is to constantly evaluate and re-evaluate the odds: What are the chances of a medical procedure’s success? Is the patient at risk of developing severe symptoms? When should the patient return for more testing? Amidst these critical deliberations, the rise of artificial intelligence promises to reduce risk in clinical settings and help physicians prioritize the care of high-risk patients. Despite its potential, researchers from the MIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), Equality AI, and Boston University are calling for more oversight of AI from regulatory bodies in a new commentary published in theNew England Journal of Medicine AI's (NEJM AI). Click here to read…

UNREC’s Mission to Strengthen Arms Control in Burundi

The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) conducted a mission from 9 to 13 December in partnership with Burundi’s National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW). The mission aimed to address arms marking, control challenges, the development of a national action plan on SALW as well as to foster stronger collaborations among key stakeholders. A central focus of the mission was to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of Burundi’s arms marking facilities using the Modular Small-arms-control Implementation Compendium (MOSAIC) standards. Via visits to various arms storage and marking facilities as well as through focus group discussions, the assessment identified a significant need for technical training in arms marking and better equipment maintenance. Click here to read…

Samsung and Texas Instruments Finalize Chips Act Awards Deals

Samsung Electronics Co and Texas Instruments Inc completed final agreements to get billions of US dollars of government support for new semiconductor plants in the US, cementing a major piece of US President Joe Biden administration’s CHIPS and Science Act initiative. Under binding agreements, Samsung would get as much as US$4.75 billion in funding, while Texas Instruments stands to receive US$1.6 billion — money that would help them build facilities in Texas and Utah. The final deals mean the chipmakers can begin collecting the funding when their projects hit certain benchmarks. Though the terms of Texas Instruments’ final agreement is in line with a preliminary deal, Samsung is getting substantially less than originally expected. Click here to read…

Chinese-Made Vehicles Grab Mexican Market Share

The growing popularity of Chinese sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks has shaken up Mexico’s luxury car market, hitting sales of traditionally dominant brands such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Mexicans are increasingly switching from traditionally dominant sedans to Chinese vehicles due to a combination of comfort, technology and price, industry experts say. It is no small feat in a country home to factories of foreign brands such as Audi and BMW, and where until a few years ago imported Chinese cars were stigmatized, as in other parts of the world. The high-end segment of the market registered a sales drop of 8.1 percent from January to November 2024 the Mexican Association of Automotive Distributors (AMDA) said. Click here to read…