India's ambition to become a global manufacturing hub received a significant boost as Taiwanese electronics major Foxconn began small-scale production of the iPhone 17 at its new factory in Bengaluru. This development marks a pivotal step in Apple's expanding manufacturing operations within India, with the Bengaluru plant poised to become Foxconn's second-largest global unit after China. The 2.8 billion dollar investment by Foxconn is expected to create thousands of local jobs and transform the Devanahalli region into a high-tech manufacturing hub.
In a related strategic move, India is heavily investing in mature-node chip manufacturing, focusing on the 28nm to 65nm range. This approach positions the country to fill a critical gap in the global chip supply chain, particularly for sectors like automotive, telecom, and industrial electronics. The government has approved four new semiconductor projects worth Rs 4,600 crore in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Punjab, bringing the total under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) to 10 projects across six states with a combined investment of Rs 1.6 lakh crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has indicated that "made-in-India" semiconductor chips could be available in the market by the end of this year.
Further highlighting India's growing presence in science and technology, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has returned to India after completing a successful stint on a space mission. He was reportedly welcomed by Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Beyond manufacturing, India also recently hosted the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) 2025 in Mumbai, marking it as the largest edition ever with participants from 64 countries. This event underscores India's commitment to promoting STEM education and fostering scientific diplomacy.
Globally, significant scientific updates include NASA's announcement that early science data from its PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) mission, which completed its final orbit maneuvers on August 7, has been made publicly available. This mission provides crucial data for understanding the Sun-Earth connection and advancing space weather forecasting. Additionally, NASA plans to build the Moon's first nuclear reactor by 2030, aiming to provide a reliable energy source for future lunar bases. The Indian government's focus on self-reliance in critical technology and ongoing projects like the Deep Ocean Mission were also highlighted in recent discussions.