India is making substantial strides in scientific research and technological innovation, with several key developments reported in the last 24 hours.
LIGO-India: A Leap in Gravitational Wave Astronomy
Work is progressing on India's first gravitational wave observatory, known as LIGO-India, which is being established in the Hingoli district of Maharashtra. Construction for this ambitious project is slated to commence in the latter half of 2025. Once operational by 2030, LIGO-India will integrate into a global network, joining two existing detectors in the United States to meticulously track cosmic ripples. The observatory will feature four-kilometer-long vacuum-sealed arms equipped with super-sensitive mirrors, meticulously designed to detect minute ripples in space-time caused by dramatic cosmic events such as black hole collisions. This mega-science project is a collaborative effort, funded by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
Boosting Sports Science and Indigenous Innovation
In a significant move to enhance athletic performance and foster self-reliance in sports technology, the National Centre of Sports Science Research (NCSSR), operating under the Sports Authority of India (SAI), has formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. The agreement, signed on September 9, 2025, aims to strengthen collaboration in sports sciences, advanced technology, and indigenous innovation. Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya oversaw the signing, underscoring the government's commitment to integrating science and technology into sports to empower Indian athletes. As part of this partnership, a cutting-edge Biomechanics Laboratory has been inaugurated at IIT Delhi. This facility is engineered to provide high-precision assessments of athlete movements, offering valuable data to coaches and sports scientists for optimizing performance and minimizing injury risks. The initiative strongly aligns with the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Garv se Swadeshi' campaigns, promoting home-grown solutions in the sports sector.
IIT Madras Unveils 'INNOVATION-TN' for Startup Ecosystem
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, in collaboration with Guidance Tamil Nadu, has launched 'INNOVATION-TN', marking India's first state-level dashboard dedicated to startups and innovation. Unveiled on September 11, 2025, this platform offers a comprehensive overview of Tamil Nadu's vibrant startup ecosystem. It serves as a vital resource for various stakeholders, including investors, industries, financial institutions, and startup founders. As of August 2025, Tamil Nadu boasts nearly 19,000 startups, which have collectively generated over 2.2 lakh jobs and attracted investments exceeding ā¹1,20,000 crores. The 'INNOVATION-TN' dashboard is designed to foster crucial connections within the startup community and drive economic growth through technological advancements.
Promoting Indian Languages in Science and Technology
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on September 14, 2025, championed the integration of Hindi and other Indian languages into various domains, including science, technology, justice, education, and administration. During the 5th Akhil Bharatiya Rajbhasha Sammelan, he emphasized that these languages should become the central axis for such critical fields. The event also saw the launch of the AI-powered Bahubhashi Anuvad Saarthi translation platform, a tool aimed at bridging communication gaps across India's diverse linguistic landscape.