India is rapidly accelerating its progress in the fields of science and technology, marked by several key developments reported in the last 24 hours. These advancements underscore the nation's commitment to self-reliance, innovation, and technological leadership across diverse sectors.

India Aims for Top-Three Global Position in Semiconductors by 2036

India has set an ambitious target to achieve a top-three global position in semiconductor manufacturing by 2036. This declaration was made by the DRDO Chief, Dr. Samir V Kamat, during a curtain-raiser event for the upcoming Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC-2025) held in Hyderabad on October 17, 2025. Dr. Kamat emphasized the critical role of semiconductors in modern technology ecosystems, powering essential systems in healthcare, communications, transport, defense, and space. The ESTIC-2025, a collaborative effort by 13 Ministries and Departments, will be held from November 3-5 at Bharat Mandapam, focusing on "Viksit Bharat 2047 – Pioneering Sustainable Innovation, Technological Advancement, and Empowerment". DRDO is leading the thematic session on "Electronics and Semiconductor Manufacturing" at the conclave. This aspiration follows the launch of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) in 2021, which has transitioned from vision to implementation within four years.

Google to Invest $15 Billion in India's Largest AI Hub in Visakhapatnam

In a major boost to India's Artificial Intelligence landscape, Google is set to invest $15 billion over five years (2026–2030) to establish its largest AI hub outside the United States in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This significant investment highlights the growing importance of India as a global hub for AI innovation and development. Furthermore, Adani and Google have also joined hands to build India's largest AI data hub in Visakhapatnam, marking a "monumental day" for technological collaboration.

Inauguration of Science, Technology and Innovation Hub in Mizoram

A new Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Hub building was formally inaugurated in Mizoram on October 17, 2025, marking a significant milestone for the ITLIVES (Improving Tribal Livelihoods, Education and Sustainability) project. This initiative is a joint venture between Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Kerala) and Mizoram University, implemented under the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Hub scheme of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. The Hub aims to foster innovative ideas, develop novel food products, and train local beneficiaries to produce these products, thereby enhancing livelihoods in the region. Constructed at a cost of ₹67.9 lakh, the STI Hub building is located at the Mizoram University Campus, Aizawl, and Kawlri Tlang, Serchhip.

Indian Scientists Develop Low-Cost Food Contaminant Detection Using "Coffee-Stain Effect"

In a breakthrough for food safety, Indian scientists have developed an innovative and low-cost method to detect toxic dyes and contaminants in food and water at trillionth levels. This technique, inspired by the everyday "coffee-stain effect," was developed by researchers at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru, with support from the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The scientists realized that the same physics causing a dark ring around a drying coffee cup could be leveraged by recreating the "coffee-ring" with nanoparticles, turning them into tiny optical landscapes where light and matter interact powerfully to spot invisible toxins. This affordable method offers a significant advancement in ensuring food safety.

DRDO Successfully Tests Indigenous Military Combat Parachute System

The indigenously developed Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS) was successfully tested by the Indian Air Force at an altitude of 32,000 ft. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), this parachute system offers a slower descent, improved stability, and enhanced steering control, thus increasing safety and tactical accuracy. The MCPS is currently the only parachute system utilized by the Indian armed forces capable of deployment above 25,000 ft.

UIDAI Launches SITAA to Counter Deepfakes and Enhance Aadhaar Security

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has introduced the Scheme for Innovation and Technology Association with Aadhaar (SITAA) to bolster Aadhaar authentication security, specifically targeting deepfakes. SITAA aims to invite startups, academia, and industry to contribute to developing advanced solutions for detecting fake or manipulated face inputs, presentation attack detection (PAD) for real-time deepfake and spoofing detection, and contactless fingerprint authentication.

Changes Announced for JEE Main 2025 Examination Pattern

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced significant changes for the JEE Main 2025 examination, which is the engineering entrance exam for premier technical institutes across India. Key revisions include the removal of optional questions, meaning candidates must now answer all 25 questions in each subject (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics). For the first time, negative marking will be applied to numerical value questions (NVQs), requiring greater caution from candidates. Other changes include new tie-breaking rules focusing on subject-wise performance, the removal of the age limit, a reduced syllabus, and a decrease in the total number of exam centers.