♦ A team of researchers from the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences (SKUAST) in Srinagar has produced India’s first gene-edited sheep.
♦ The gene-editing of the sheep was possible after four years of research an
♦ This marking a historic milestone in the field of animal biotechnology.
d will enhance the muscle mass of the animal by 30%.
♦ The team of researchers edited the myostatin gene of the lamb that is responsible for regulating the growth of muscle in the sheep.
♦ The project was sponsored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
♦ Earlier, a team of researchers at the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) had developed a gene-edited embryo of a buffalo.
♦ Gene editing, also known as genome editing, is a group of technologies that allow scientists to precisely change an organism's DNA.
♦ These technologies enable the addition, removal, or alteration of genetic material at specific locations within the genome.
Posted Date: May 28, 2025Science & Technology
♦ Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) inaugurated the Quantum Technology Research Centre (QTRC) at Metcalfe House, Delhi on 27 May 2025.
♦ The facility was inaugurated by Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat with the aim to further strengthen indigenous quantum capabilities for strategic and defence applications.
♦ QRTC is equipped with state-of-the-art experimental set-ups designed to propel research and development in critical quantum domains.
♦ The key capabilities of this centre include Characterisation of Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers and Distributed Feedback Lasers; Test-beds for evaluating single-photon sources; Set-up for characterisation of Micro Fabricated Alkali Vapor Cell; and Experimental platforms for developing and validating Quantum Key Distribution techniques to enable ultra-secure communication and safeguard national security in the post-quantum era, spearheaded by Scientific Analysis Group (SAG), DRDO.
Posted Date: May 27, 2025♦ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the Execution Model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme on 27 May 2025.
♦ The AMCA clearance marks a critical step towards realising India’s goal of joining an elite club of nations in designing and producing its own fleet of next-generation combat aircraft.
♦ The project will be helmed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
♦ The ADA is a dedicated arm of the DRDO that was established to oversee the development of India’s Light Combat Aircraft programme.
♦ It will lead the project in partnership with private industry partners.
Posted Date: May 27, 2025♦ Union Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh launched the Bharat Forecast System (BFS) on 26 May 2025.
♦ This is the world’s highest-resolution numerical weather prediction model with a spatial resolution of 6 kilometers.
♦ The system has improved the prediction skill by up to 67 percent.
♦ BFS has been developed indigenous to India by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.
♦ The BFS will be the only global numerical weather prediction system in the world deployed at such a high resolution, representing a major advancement in India's forecasting capabilities.
♦ The numerical global forecast models run by the European, British and US weather offices have a resolution between 9 km and 14 km.
Posted Date: May 26, 2025♦ The 101st launch of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) failed mid-flight during its third stage on 18 May 2025.
♦ ISRO launched Earth Observation Satellite, EOS-09, aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C61 from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
♦ The PSLV is a 4-stage rocket, and the first two stages were normal.
♦ However, during the third stage, there was a “fall in the chamber pressure of the motor case.
♦ This is the 63rd flight of the PSLV rocket, and the 27th using the PSLV-XL, completing a total 100 launches before May 18.
♦ EOS-09 is a repeat satellite of EOS-04, designed with the mission objective to ensure remote sensing data for the user community engaged in operational applications and to improve the frequency of observation, according to ISRO.
Posted Date: May 18, 2025♦ The world's first clinic where patients will be diagnosed using artificial intelligence (AI) has opened in Saudi Arabia.
♦ A China-based medical technology company called Synyi AI has partnered with Almoosa Health Group for the trial programme.
♦ The hospital began in the Eastern province of Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
♦ The clinic aims to replace human doctors as the first point of contact for diagnosing and treating patients.
♦ However, humans are still involved in the system as "safety gatekeepers".
♦ After patients arrive at the clinic, they describe their symptoms using a tablet computer to an AI "doctor" called "Dr Hua".
♦ Once the consultation is over, Dr Hua provides a treatment plan, which is signed off by a human doctor after a thorough review.
♦ Human doctors remain available for emergencies that AI cannot handle.
Posted Date: May 17, 2025♦ The Indian Army carried out a large-scale integrated field exercise titled 'Teesta Prahar' at the Teesta field firing range on 15 May 2025.
♦ Various units of the Army, including infantry, mechanised infantry, artillery, armed corps, para special forces, army aviation engineering, and signals, participated in the exercise.
♦ The exercise holds significance in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor.
Posted Date: May 15, 2025♦ The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully developed a high-pressure nanoporous multi-layered polymeric membrane for seawater desalination.
♦ The advanced membrane, designed to withstand harsh saline conditions, has been developed by the Kanpur-based Defence Materials Stores and Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE), a premier laboratory under DRDO.
♦ The indigenous technology has been specifically tailored to meet the operational needs of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships.
♦ The development, completed in a record time of just eight months, addresses the serious challenge of membrane degradation caused by exposure to chloride ions in saline water.
♦ DMSRDE, in collaboration with the Indian Coast Guard, has successfully conducted initial technical trials using the new membrane in an existing desalination unit onboard an Offshore Patrolling Vessel (OPV).
♦ The initial safety and performance results have been found to be fully satisfactory.
Posted Date: May 15, 2025♦ India and the European Union have jointly launched two major research initiatives under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) on 15 MAy 2025.
♦ It aims to develop innovative solutions in the areas of marine pollution and green hydrogen production from waste.
♦ The projects, backed by a combined investment of Rs.391 crore (approximately €41 million), mark a significant step in strengthening bilateral cooperation in science and technology.
♦ The TTC was established in 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, serves as a platform to deepen strategic collaboration in trade and technology between India and the EU.
♦ The first initiative focuses on tackling the pressing issue of marine plastic litter and other pollutants.
♦ Co-funded by the European Union and India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences, this project aims to develop advanced tools to monitor, assess, and reduce the harmful impact of pollutants such as microplastics, heavy metals, and organic compounds on marine ecosystems.
♦ The research is expected to contribute to global commitments like the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and support national policies, including India’s National Marine Litter Policy and the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan.
♦ The second initiative targets the development of sustainable hydrogen production technologies by converting biogenic waste into green hydrogen.
♦ Supported by the EU and India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the project is in alignment with the EU’s Hydrogen Strategy and India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission.
♦ The focus is on creating cost-effective and environmentally sustainable methods to produce hydrogen using agricultural, municipal, and industrial waste.
Posted Date: May 15, 2025♦ The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to enhance India’s Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capabilities.
♦ The MoU was signed between DRDO’s Instruments Research and Development Establishment (IRDE) in Dehradun and DST’s Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) in Nainital.
♦ ARIES is a premier research institute in the field of astronomy, astrophysics and atmospheric sciences and hosts state-of-the-art national observing facilities including the 3.6 m Devasthal Optical Telescope and ST Radar system.
♦ IRDE is a leading institution engaged in the design and development of Electro-Optical surveillance systems for the Armed Forces across ground, naval, airborne, and space platforms.
♦ The scope of MoU include use of observing facilities at ARIES for monitoring and data acquisition on space objects, jointly developing Electro-Optics based systems for astronomy and SSA applications, development of image processing and data analysis techniques by integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) and knowledge exchange, training activities, and capacity building through scientific & technical research and development.
Posted Date: May 14, 2025♦ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has virtually launched the BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow on 11 May 2025.
♦ Built at a cost of Rs.300 crore, the facility will manufacture one of the world's fastest supersonic cruise missiles, with a range of 290 to 400 km and a top speed of Mach 2.8.
♦ The missile, a product of BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India and Russia, can be launched from land, sea, or air and uses a "fire and forget" system.
Posted Date: May 11, 2025♦ The Indian Navy has received ‘Arnala’, the first of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWCs), at L&T Shipyard in Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu on 9 May 2025.
♦ The vessel was designed and built indigenously by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) under a collaborative public-private initiative with L&T Shipyard.
♦ The delivery marks a key development in the Indian Navy’s efforts toward self-reliance in defence production. Over 80% of the ship’s components are sourced domestically.
♦ The Indian Ministry of Defence signed contracts with GRSE and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in April 2019 to construct eight ASW SWC ships each. They are part of Make in India initiative.
♦ The ASW SWC are set to replace the existing Abhay-class corvettes currently in service. The Abhay-class corvettes entered service with the Indian Navy in 1989.
Posted Date: May 9, 2025♦ Indian Navy and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have successfully undertaken combat firing of the indigenously designed and developed Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM) on 5 May 2025.
♦ MIGM system is an advanced underwater naval mine and it is designed to enhance the Indian Navy’s capabilities against modern stealth ships and submarines.
♦ Multi Influence Ground Mine is equipped with multiple sensors for recording of influences like acoustic, magnetic, pressure generated by marine vessels.
♦ It has a built-in electronics system that comprises data acquisition electronics with ARM processors along with peripheral devices for processing the data and to generate commands to initiate the desired course of actions.
Posted Date: May 5, 2025♦ The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out maiden flight-trials of its Stratospheric Airship Platform from Sheopur Trial site at Madhya Pradesh on 3 May 2025.
♦ Developed by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment at Agra in Uttar Pradesh, the airship was launched carrying an instrumental payload to an altitude of around 17 kilometers.
♦ This system will uniquely enhance India’s earth observation and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities.
Posted Date: May 3, 2025