ISRO Gears Up for Humanless Gaganyaan Mission with Vyommitra
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is advancing towards a major milestone with its first humanless Gaganyaan mission, scheduled for December. This mission will feature 'Vyommitra', a half-humanoid robot developed at the Central Tools and Training Centre (CTTC) in Bhubaneswar. Vyommitra is designed to simulate human functions, communicate, and perform various tasks in space, marking a crucial step in India's journey to send humans into orbit.
India Mobile Congress 2025 Concludes with Focus on Digital Advancement
The India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, Asia's most influential technology and telecom forum, concluded on October 11 in New Delhi. The four-day event, which began on October 8, showcased India's rapid technological growth, indigenous innovation, and its emergence as a global leader in digital connectivity, satellite communication, and next-generation telecom technologies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India's progress in developing indigenous technology and emphasized the role of initiatives like 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India'. Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that India has transformed from a "technology taker" to a "digital flag bearer of the world," noting the significant growth in mobile and broadband connectivity. The IMC 2025 also featured the first-ever Satcom Summit, themed "Space Networks for Universal Connectivity," addressing how satellite technology can bridge India's digital divide.
During the IMC 2025, Ericsson demonstrated groundbreaking 5G and AI innovations designed for India's digital transformation. These included a 5G-enabled 'Grain ATM Annapurti' which dispenses food grains using Aadhaar-based biometrics, a handheld wireless digital stethoscope for remote heart monitoring over 5G, and a robotic dog for autonomous railcar inspection. Furthermore, the 'Robotics for Good Youth Challenge India 2025' also concluded at the IMC, celebrating youth-led technological advancements in addressing food security and sustainable development. Teams Heyansh (Junior) and Ambitious Avengers (Senior) will represent India at the Global Grand Finale in Geneva.
IMD's Indigenous Early Warning Systems Reviewed
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, Jitendra Singh, reviewed the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) in-house developed Web-GIS-based Multi-Hazard Early Warning Decision Support System (DSS). The Minister lauded IMD's progress in creating indigenous, technology-driven, and citizen-centric weather forecasting systems, which have led to an estimated cost saving of Rs 250 crore by reducing dependency on foreign vendors. He also reviewed "Mausamgram" (Har Har Mausam, Har Ghar Mausam), a unique platform providing hyperlocal, location-specific weather forecasts down to the village level, available in all official Indian languages.
PRIP Scheme to Boost India's Pharma-Biotech Innovation
The Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech (PRIP) scheme has been highlighted as a strategic initiative to propel India towards leadership in the pharma-biotech sector. This scheme signifies a crucial policy shift, aiming to transform India's pharmaceutical trajectory from replication to innovation. Industry leaders emphasize that by actively supporting drug discovery, biosimilars, and complex generics, the PRIP scheme signals India's readiness to lead in invention, not just affordability.