Science and Technology (S&T) Digest (16-28 February 2025), Issue 56

Dr Saroj Bishoyi, Research Fellow, VIF

March 26 , 2025 Views: 81 Comments: 0

In this Issue

I. Defence and Security

DRDO & IN Successfully Conduct Flight-Trials of Naval Anti-Ship Missile

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy (IN) carried out successful flight-trials of first-of-its-kind Naval Anti-Ship missile (NASM-SR) from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur on 25 February 2025. The trials demonstrated the missile’s capability against ship targets while launched from an Indian Naval Sea king Helicopter. The trials have proven the missile’s Man-in-Loop feature and scored a direct hit on a small ship target in sea-skimming mode at its maximum range. The missile uses an Indigenous Imaging Infra-Red Seeker for terminal guidance. The mission also has demonstrated the high bandwidth two-way datalink system, which is used to transmit the seeker live images back to the pilot for in-flight retargeting. Click here to read...

Contracts Signed for Procurement of Rough Terrain Fork Lift Truck

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed contracts with M/s ACE Limited and M/s JCB India Limited in presence of Defence Secretary, R K Singh for procurement of quantity 1868 Rough Terrain Fork Lift Truck (RTFLT) at a total cost of ₹697.35 crore for Indian Army, Indian Airforce and Indian Navy. Rough Terrain Fork Lift Truck (RTFLT) is a critical equipment which will assist in various combat and logistics support tasks by avoiding manual handling of enormous number of stores and thus enhancing the operational effectiveness of Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. The present case being a Buy (Indian) case will enhance national defence equipment manufacturing capabilities. Click here to read...

Contract Signed for Procurement of Software Defined Radios for ICG

The MoD has signed a contract with M/s Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru on 20th February, 2025, for procurement of 149 Software Defined Radios for Indian Coast Guard (ICG) at a total cost of ₹1220.12 Cr under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. These state-of-the-art radios will enable secure and reliable information sharing, collaboration, and situational awareness through high-speed data and secure voice communication. This will strengthen the Indian Coast Guard’s capability to fulfil its core responsibilities, including maritime law enforcement, search and rescue operations, fisheries protection, and marine environment protection. Additionally, these radios will enhance interoperability for joint operations with the Indian Navy. Click here to read...

Indian Army Procures Critical CBRN Defence Equipment

Indian Army has signed a contract on 25 February 2025 for procurement of 223 Automatic Chemical Agent Detection and Alarm (ACADA) systems with M/s L&T Ltd at a cost of Rs 80.43 Cr, under the Buy Indian (IDDM) category. This will give a significant boost to the GoI’s Atamnirbharta drive since more than 80 percent of the components and sub-systems of the equipment will be sourced locally. ACADA has been designed and developed by DRDO’s Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior and marks a significant milestone in the nation’s indigenisation initiative in the niche CBRN (Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) domain. Click here to read...

Inculcate Scientific Temper and Excel in Frontier Technologies

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called upon the youth to inculcate scientific temper and excel in frontier technologies by making best use of the internationally-competitive infrastructure being established in the country due to the Government’s efforts. He was inaugurating Vigyan Vaibhav, a two-day science and technology extravaganza organised in Hyderabad, Telangana as part of National Science Day celebrations on 28 February 2025. As part of the event, a grand exhibition has been organised which welcomed over 30,000 students. Featuring 200+ exhibition stalls, it provided a rare opportunity for students to witness cutting-edge defence and aerospace technologies developed by DRDO and leading Indian industries. Click here to read...

II. STI in Space Sector

Space Economy Expected to Increase from US $8 Billion to $44 billion

“India’s Space economy is expected to increase five-fold from $8 bn to $44 bn in next few years, making value addition in the Indian economy and moving towards Viksit Bharat in 2047”, Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said, while addressing the “Business Conclave” organized by premier media house in New Delhi. The Minister highlighted the remarkable progress achieved by the Indian space sector, citing the increased space budget as a key factor driving this success. The space budget has almost tripled—from ₹5,615 crore in 2013-14 to ₹13,416 crore in 2025-2026, reflecting the government’s commitment to fostering growth in the space sector. Click here to read...

Developing Space Suit Technology to Transform Space Travel

Neurom Innovations has announced its strategic partnership with Metakosmos, which will develop state-of the-art space suit technology to transform space travel. This partnership represents a major milestone in enhancing astronaut safety, mobility, and efficiency in deep-space environments. The goal of the partnership is to develop Next-Gen Space Suit Technologies that will enhance astronaut flexibility, safety, and performance outside Earth’s atmosphere. Kernel 360, the first commercially accessible bioastronautics suite, is the heart of the innovation. It assists astronauts throughout the entire lifecycle of human spaceflight--pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight. Click here to read...

Space Kidz India (SKI) Announces Project, Mission ShakthiSAT

Space Kidz India (SKI), a trailblazing Indian aerospace startup, announced the launch of its ambitious project, Mission ShakthiSAT: An All-Girls Spacecraft to Lunar Orbit, an unprecedented initiative aimed at inspiring young women globally to explore the frontiers of space science and technology. Mission ShakthiSAT is a bold step towards empowering young women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), with a particular emphasis on space sciences. The project's centrepiece – a satellite to be launched into lunar orbit – will be designed, fabricated, and operated by an all-women team. This initiative not only seeks to bridge the gender gap in the aerospace industry but also aims to inspire young girls worldwide to pursue careers in STEM fields. Click here to read...

Satellite Services to Drive India’s Space Sector Growth

India’s space industry is on the path to rapid expansion, with the sector expected to grow from its current value of around US $13 billion to US $77 billion by 2030, according to a report by DAM Capital. The report highlighted that satellite services will play a major role in this growth,
contributing over US $36 billion by the end of the decade. It said, “India’s space sector, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 26 per cent, reaching US $77 billion by 2030. The largest share will be in Satellite Services, estimated to contribute over US $36 billion by 2030”. The Indian space sector consists of three main segments, satellite manufacturing, Launch Services, and Satellite Services. Click here to read...

SpaceX Launches Rocket from Florida, Booster Lands in Bahamas

SpaceX made history after launching a rocket into space from the coast of Florida and landing the rocket booster in another country. The mission marked the first time a Falcon 9 landed on a drone ship off the coast of the Bahamas, Fox News reported. In a post on X, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wrote, “This is the first time that a rocket has taken off from one country, gone to space and landed in another country!” About eight minutes after it was launched from Florida’s Cape Canaveral, the Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on the “Just Read the Instructions” drone ship stationed off the coast of the Bahamas, in the Atlantic Ocean. SpaceX said being able to land in the Bahamas enables Falcon 9 to maximise its performance by launching into a southeast trajectory from the Florida Space Coast. Click here to read...

III. Nuclear Technology

India Sets Strategic Path for AI Growth with Nuclear Energy Investments

In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is driving disruption across industries, India is making strategic moves to establish itself in the AI ecosystem. The nation’s plan hinges on an integrated approach that builds out the entire AI stack – from semiconductor fabrication and data centre infrastructure to foundational models and energy management – powered by a focus on nuclear energy. India is aiming to develop a robust AI stack, encompassing semiconductor fabrication facilities to bolster national security and diversified supply chains, positioning itself as a sound player in the global semiconductor industry. As of recent, India also plans to invest capital in the development of low-cost, sovereign large language models (LLMs). Click here to read...

Taping into Nuclear Power Plant Potential for Indian Railways

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw encouraged investors to explore opportunities in establishing nuclear power plants, assuring that Indian Railways would purchase electricity generated from nuclear sources. Speaking at the ongoing Madhya Pradesh Global Investor Summit 2025 (GIS 2025), the Minister said, “I would like to request that if a nuclear power plant can be set up in Madhya Pradesh, Indian Railways would be very happy to enter into an agreement to purchase electricity from it. Wind power is also very interesting to us.” He added, “I would like to request all the states through this stage that if you can supply all the energy you can supply to the railway with your renewable project, wind project, hydro project or nuclear project.” Click here to read...

Safety Review of Ghana’s First Nuclear Power Plant

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts has concluded an eight-day safety review of Ghana’s site selection process for its first nuclear power plant (NPP). Ghana is pursuing the introduction of nuclear power to increase its low carbon power production to meet energy demand, tackle climate change and increase energy security and diversity. The Site and External Events Design Review Service (SEED) mission, which took place between 14 to 21 February, reviewed Ghana’s adherence to IAEA guidance on site selection. The SEED mission was the first of its kind to Ghana. Ghana has successfully completed the site selection process and identified the candidate site and an alternative site for its first NPP. Click here to read...

Promoting Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy Through Partnerships

As part of ongoing efforts to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy through partnerships, IAEA Director General Mr Grossi met with Sumitomo Corporation Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer Shingo Ueno and signed a practical arrangement on future cooperation for sustainable uses of nuclear energy. IAEA and Sumitomo Corporation aim to set forth the framework for cooperation in addressing global development challenges, particularly in the area of sustainable uses of nuclear related technologies for multiple areas, including healthcare, shipping, fusion and capacity building efforts. Sumitomo Corporation is a Japanese integrated trading and business investment company, with 125 offices in 63 countries. Click here to read...

North Korea Launches Strategic Cruise Missiles

North Korea has launched strategic cruise missiles in waters off its west coast to demonstrate the potential of its nuclear deterrence, local media reported adding that its leader Kim Jong-un has called for thorough war preparedness with the country’s nuclear forces and readiness for their use. Kim oversaw the missile launch and called for permanently defending the country’s sovereign right and security with the “reliable nuclear shield,” Seoul’s Yonhap cited the North’s official Korean Central News Agency. South Korea’s military confirmed the missile firing, noting it had detected the launches of multiple cruise missiles toward the Yellow Sea, and they were being analysed by South Korean and US intelligence authorities, Yonhap reported. Click here to read...

IV. Emerging Technologies and Applications

Journey of NQM’s Quantum Sensing and Metrology Hub

The Photonics and Quantum Sensing Technology Lab at IIT Bombay is ready with some technologies that can give the newly initiated Quantum Sensing and Metrology Hub a kick start into the world of quantum technologies. These include the quantum diamond microscope and the portable magnetometer at the P-Quest Lab headed by Professor Kasturi Saha. Prof Saha is the Project Director of the newly initiated Quantum Sensing and Metrology Hub, Qmet Tech Foundation, established by IIT Bombay under the National Quantum Mission (NQM). It aims to bridge fundamental research and practical applications in Quantum Sensing and Metrology—one of the four focus areas under NQM. Click here to read...

Innovative Biotech Solutions for Farming, Livestock and Aquaculture

Biotechnology has emerged as a transformative force in agriculture, aquaculture, and animal sciences, driving innovation in crop improvement, disease management, and sustainable farming practices. Recent advancements in genome editing, molecular breeding, and biocontrol solutions are enhancing productivity and resilience in these sectors positioning India as a global force! Agricultural biotechnology is breaking new ground with advanced research in genomics, proteomics, transgenics, and gene editing. The integration of biotechnology into agriculture, aquaculture, and animal sciences is fostering sustainable food production, disease resistance, and enhanced productivity. Click here to read...

Biotechnology Transforming North East India

Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas and blessed with lush biodiversity, India’s North East Region (NER) is a land of hidden treasures. Its vibrant landscapes, rich culture, and vast pool of resources offer immense potential for innovation. Now, with the transformative power of biotechnology, the NER is not just preserving its natural heritage but also scripting a new chapter of growth and sustainability. Imagine a region where farmers cultivate medicinal plants that fuel both health industries and local incomes, where young researchers develop resilient crop varieties that withstand changing climates, and where bio-entrepreneurs thrive by transforming indigenous knowledge into global products. Click here to read...

Thermal Structure of Solar Coronal Holes, Magnetic Fields Unveiled

A new study has accurately estimated the physical parameters of thermal and magnetic field structures of solar coronal holes which have significant influence on space weather that affects satellites, as well as the Indian summer monsoon rainfall. Coronal holes, which are dark regions in X-ray and extreme ultraviolet images of the Sun, have open magnetic field lines and are hence important for understanding the interplanetary medium and space weather. The latitude dependence of temperature and the magnetic field strengths of these coronal holes have now been characterised accurately by astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. Click here to read...

Opportunities and Interventions for Boosting Advanced Manufacturing

On 18 February 2025, the Technology Advisory Group (TAG) constituted by the Empowered Technology Group (ETG) convened its second meeting under the chairmanship of Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, to discuss the landscape, opportunities, and necessary interventions for strengthening advanced manufacturing in India. The meeting brought together members of the TAG (comprising of 9 members from academia and 10 members from industry) members of the ETG, senior government officials, and domain experts to discuss ongoing activities and initiatives in advanced manufacturing in India, comparative analysis of the global landscape, and development of a coordinated national roadmap to accelerate manufacturing innovation. Click here to read...

V. International Cooperation

India-Argentina Cooperation in Lithium Exploration and Mining

Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, along with Secretary, Ministry of Mines, and senior officials of the Ministry of Mines, held a meeting with H.E. Raúl Alejandro Jalil, Governor of Catamarca, Argentina, in New Delhi on 19 February 2025. The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in the mining sector, particularly in lithium exploration and investment opportunities. A key highlight of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL), a PSU under the Ministry of Mines, and the Provincial Government of Catamarca, Argentina, which will pave the way for deeper collaboration in exploration and resource development of critical minerals. Click here to read...

India-Nepal Deepen Science and Technology Partnership

Marking a significant milestone in Science and Technology (S&T) cooperation between India and Nepal, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India, and the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 18th February 2025 at CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), New Delhi. The agreement, signed and exchanged by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR, and Secretary, DSIR, and Prof. Dr. Dilip Subba, Vice-Chancellor, NAST, establishes a broad framework to promote bilateral scientific and technological collaboration. The newly signed MoU seeks to rejuvenate and expand this collaboration, enhancing scientific engagement between the two institutions. Click here to read...

DoT-ITU To Explore Future-Ready Infrastructure Planning

During Secretary (Telecom), Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, Dr. Neeraj Mittal visit to Geneva, the DoT and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) signed a Letter of Intent (LoI), marking the beginning of a new phase of strategic collaboration. Through this LoI, both sides intend to initiate discussions regarding the conditions and modalities for carrying out common initiatives and projects, particularly to drive innovation in digital twins, AI-driven solutions, virtual world technologies, and the transformative potential of IMT-2030 technologies; and, promote the development of global standards and best practices to ensure seamless interoperability and scalability. Click here to read...

India-European Union Bilateral Defence and Security Cooperation

Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth held a meeting with the Commissioner for Defence and Space, European Commission Mr Andrius Kubilius in New Delhi on 28 February 2025. They comprehensively discussed the India-European Union bilateral defence and security cooperation with focus on maritime engagements & information sharing in the Indo-Pacific. Minister Sanjay Seth and Mr Andrius Kubilius also explored ways & means to enhance defence industrial cooperation, particularly the participation of European defence companies in joint projects and co-production opportunities in India. Click here to read...

India-UK Cooperation in Telecom, AI and Emerging Technologies

The Secretary (Telecom) of India visited the United Kingdom to engage with the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), UK and explore opportunities for collaboration in next-generation telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and space technology, further strengthening Indo-UK ties in these critical areas. The Secretary (Telecom) met with Mr. Chris Johnson, National Scientific Adviser, and Mr. Dave Smith, National Technology Adviser of DSIT. The discussions centred on emerging technologies and their applications in 5G, 6G, digital infrastructure security. The Secretary also met with Mr. Geoff Huggins, Director, Digital Directorate, Govt of Scotland, to discuss collaborative efforts in digital transformation through telecom, telecom security, and emerging telecom technologies. Click here to read...

VI. Regional and Global Trends

Advancing Research and Innovation on Essential Chips for AI

MIT and GlobalFoundries (GF), a leading manufacturer of essential semiconductors, have announced a new research agreement to jointly pursue advancements and innovations for enhancing the performance and efficiency of critical semiconductor technologies. The collaboration will be led by MIT’s Microsystems Technology Laboratories (MTL) and GF’s research and development team, GF Labs. With an initial research focus on artificial intelligence and other applications, the first projects are expected to leverage GF’s differentiated silicon photonics technology, which monolithically integrates radio frequency silicon-on-insulator (RF SOI), CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor), and optical features on a single chip to realize power efficiencies for data centers, and GF’s 22FDX platform, which delivers ultra-low power consumption for intelligent devices at the edge. Click here to read...

Nanya Technology to Produce Customized Chips for Edge AI Devices

DRAM chipmaker Nanya Technology Corp plans to develop new high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips tailor-made for edge AI devices such as PCs, mobile phones and robots in an effort to differentiate itself from its rivals. The HBM3, HBM4 and HBM2 used in AI servers are not the company’s target market, Nanya Technology president Lee Pei-ing told reporters in Taipei on 26 February 2025. The company’s focus is “customized” HBM products for edge AI devices, given its smaller capacity scale and limited resources, Lee said. The company plans to roll out its first customized HBM product by the end of next year, in collaboration with chip designer Piecemakers Technology Inc and chip packaging and testing service provider Formosa Advanced Technologies Co, he said. Click here to read...

Taiwan Will Not Accept ‘Unfair’ US Chip Tariffs

The government will not accept “unfair” US tariffs on Taiwan’s chips, Minister of Economic Affairs J.W. Kuo said on 26 February. Kuo described the tariff issue as a “negotiation strategy” of US President Donald Trump. It was more important to focus on what Trump hopes to gain, he said, adding that as the US president wants fair competition, tariff negotiations were the quickest route. Kuo said he has hosted discussions with hundreds of businesses on US tariffs and their possible influence on domestic industries, providing Taiwan’s negotiators the basic demands and issues businesses have raised. “Taiwan is helping your [trade partners] industries to make money, not making money from you,” he said, adding that it would benefit Taiwan’s participation in international technology and economic events if its trade partners understood that. Click here to read...

Unlocking Secrets of Fusion’s Core with AI-Enhanced Simulations

Creating and sustaining fusion reactions – essentially recreating star-like conditions on Earth – is extremely difficult, and Nathan Howard PhD ’12, a principal research scientist at the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Centre (PSFC), thinks it’s one of the most fascinating scientific challenges of our time. Along with MFE-IM group leader Pablo Rodriguez-Fernandez, Howard and the team use simulations and machine learning to predict how plasma will behave in a fusion device. MFE-IM and Howard’s research aims to forecast a given technology or configuration’s performance before it’s piloted in an actual fusion environment, allowing for smarter design choices. To ensure their accuracy, these models are continuously validated using data from previous experiments, keeping their simulations grounded in reality. Click here to read...

Reducing Carbon Emissions from Residential Heating

In the race to reduce climate-warming carbon emissions, the buildings sector is falling behind. While carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the U.S. electric power sector dropped by 34 percent between 2005 and 2021, emissions in the building sector declined by only 18 percent in that same time period. Moreover, in extremely cold locations, burning natural gas to heat houses can make up a substantial share of the emissions portfolio. Therefore, steps to electrify buildings in general, and residential heating in particular, are essential for decarbonizing the U.S. energy system. But that change will increase demand for electricity and decrease demand for natural gas. Click here to read...

Taping into Power Potential of Homeowners’ Grid-Edge Devices

MIT engineers propose a new “local electricity market” to tap into the power potential of homeowners’ grid-edge devices. There’s a lot of untapped potential in our homes and vehicles that could be harnessed to reinforce local power grids and make them more resilient to unforeseen outages, a new study shows. In response to a cyber-attack or natural disaster, a backup network of decentralized devices – such as residential solar panels, batteries, electric vehicles, heat pumps, and water heaters – could restore electricity or relieve stress on the grid, MIT engineers say. Such devices are “grid-edge” resources found close to the consumer rather than near central power plants, substations, or transmission lines. Grid-edge devices can independently generate, store, or tune their consumption of power. Click here to read...