NaMo Semiconductor Laboratory Approved at IIT Bhubaneswar
In a strategic move to bolster India's semiconductor ecosystem, the Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has approved the establishment of the 'NaMo Semiconductor Laboratory' at IIT Bhubaneswar. This initiative, costing an estimated ā¹4.95 crore under the MPLAD Scheme, aims to cultivate a robust talent pool in semiconductor design, manufacturing, and packaging. The lab is expected to position IIT Bhubaneswar as a national hub for semiconductor research and skilling, aligning with the 'Make in India' and 'Design in India' missions. India already contributes 20% of global chip design talent, and this lab will further enhance the nation's technological sovereignty and meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in the rapidly expanding semiconductor sector.
DRDO's Hypersonic Missile 'Dhvani' Nears Test Phase
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is on the verge of a historic breakthrough with the impending test of 'Dhvani', a cutting-edge hypersonic missile. This Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) promises to elevate India into an elite group of military superpowers by combining blistering speed exceeding Mach 5 (over 7,400 km/h) with unprecedented maneuverability. Unlike conventional cruise missiles, Dhvani will be launched to extreme altitudes before gliding towards its target, making it nearly impossible to detect or intercept. With an estimated range of 6,000 to 10,000 kilometers, Dhvani will be capable of striking both land-based and maritime targets with pinpoint precision.
ISRO Advances Space Exploration with Vyommitra and New Lab
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is pushing boundaries in space technology and education. Its humanoid robot, 'Vyommitra', is set to fly with the Gaganyaan mission to test systems and pave the way for India's first human space mission. Vyommitra, meaning "friend in space," is designed to simulate human functions and assist in complex tasks. In a separate development, ISRO will establish an ultra-modern Space Science and Innovation Lab at the Raj Bhawan campus in Lucknow. This ā¹12.5 lakh project aims to spark curiosity and innovation among students in space science, robotics, drone technology, AI, astronomy, and satellite systems, providing hands-on learning experiences in line with the National Education Policy 2020.
Enhancing Indigenous Defence Capabilities: Tejas Mk1A and Lightweight Torpedo
India's commitment to self-reliance in defence is evident with several new integrations. The second batch of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A fighters will incorporate DRDO's indigenously developed 'Swayam Raksha Kavach' Electronic Warfare (EW) suite. This advanced system, a collaborative effort by DRDO's Centre for Airborne Systems Design and Integration (CASDIC) and Defence Laboratory (DLRL), replaces foreign alternatives and significantly enhances the Tejas' survivability. Additionally, DRDO's Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) is developing an upgraded variant of its indigenous Lightweight Torpedo, focusing on boosting underwater speed and improving power sustainability for enhanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
India's Digital Transformation: BSNL 5G Upgrade and AI Leadership
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia highlighted India's pioneering role in communications, technology, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). He announced that the indigenously developed Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) 4G network would be upgraded to 5G within the next six to eight months. This upgrade will provide end-to-end 5G network capability across India, building on the recent launch of the 'Swadesh 4G Network' which connects over 26,700 villages. Scindia emphasized the importance of 'Atmanirbhar innovation' in AI, advocating for the development of AI in Indian languages and for Indian priorities, with the goal of ranking among the top five AI nations globally. The government's focus on telecom and digital infrastructure, including the AI Mission and Semicon Mission with a ā¹76,000 crore outlay, is driving innovation and manufacturing, with India producing its first indigenous chip.