India's scientific and technological landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with several key developments emerging in the last 24 hours. From ambitious space missions to cutting-edge AI policies and quantum advancements, the nation is making significant progress across multiple fronts.
Space Exploration: ISRO's Milestones and Private Sector Growth
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is on the verge of a historic achievement with its Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, which is now approximately 90% complete in its development phase. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed that three uncrewed missions would precede the crewed flight, targeted for 2027. This year alone, India's space sector has recorded over 200 significant milestones. These include the country's first-ever on-orbit docking experiment, SPADEx, conducted on January 16, 2025, which made India the fourth nation globally to achieve this complex feat.
Further strengthening international collaborations, ISRO is preparing to launch the 6.5-tonne US BlueBird-6 communication satellite by the end of the year using India's powerful LVM3 rocket. Updates were also provided on the NISAR satellite, a joint Earth-observing mission with NASA, with its payloads expected to be operational soon. Looking ahead, ISRO plans to launch the first base module of the Bharatiya Antriksh Station (Indian Space Station) by 2028, aiming for a fully operational space station by 2035. The NAVIC navigation satellite constellation is also expected to be ready by 2027.
In a notable development for lunar science, the Chandrayaan-2 mission's CHACE-2 payload made the first-ever observation of the Sun's coronal mass ejection effects on the Moon, providing crucial insights into lunar space weather.
The private space sector is also making significant strides, with Indian startup Agnikul Cosmos successfully test-firing two fully 3D-printed, electric pump-fed semi-cryogenic rocket engines. This marks a critical step towards the launch of Agnibaan SOrTeD, which will be India's first rocket powered by a completely 3D-printed engine.
Artificial Intelligence: Policy, Education, and Ethical Frameworks
India is aggressively pushing its Artificial Intelligence (AI) agenda, focusing on responsible adoption and widespread integration. The Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) Ajay Kumar Sood released three key publications under the "AI for India 2030" initiative by the World Economic Forum's Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) India. These include AI playbooks for agriculture and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), along with an AI Sandbox White Paper, aimed at scaling responsible and inclusive AI across critical economic sectors.
In a move to combat misinformation and deepfakes, the government has proposed amendments to IT rules, mandating clear labelling of AI-generated content. This initiative aims to increase the accountability of social media platforms and ensure transparency for users. Furthermore, Andhra Pradesh announced plans to establish India's first dedicated AI University and integrate AI curriculum from high school, complemented by new AI and Robotics Labs in government schools. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) also launched the "Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR)" programme to build an AI-ready generation.
The rising influence of AI is also reshaping the job market, with a recent survey indicating that major tech firms like Apple, Nvidia, and Zoho are increasingly prioritizing skills over traditional college names in their hiring processes.
Quantum Technology: Securing Digital Futures
Indian scientists are at the forefront of quantum technology, demonstrating how certified quantum randomness, guaranteed by quantum physics, can be generated not only in advanced labs but also on cloud-based quantum computers. Researchers at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bengaluru, supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have made this possible by using time as a key ingredient in continuous single-qubit observation, bypassing the need for entanglement across large distances. This breakthrough has significant implications for digital safety, offering ultra-secure communication and unhackable encryption. Separately, Indian researchers have also shown how atoms interact collectively in high-energy states, paving the way for next-generation quantum computers and sensors.