National Biofoundry Network Launched to Accelerate Bioeconomy
Union Minister of Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, officially launched India's first National Biofoundry Network. This initiative, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment (BioE3) Policy, aims to position biotechnology as a crucial driver of India's economic growth. The network, comprising six institutions, is designed to scale up proof-of-concept developments, enhance indigenous biomanufacturing capabilities, and create new employment opportunities. The BioE3 Policy prioritizes six key thematic sectors: bio-based chemicals and enzymes, functional foods and smart proteins, precision biotherapeutics, climate-resilient agriculture, carbon capture and utilization, and futuristic marine and space research. India's bioeconomy has seen substantial growth, increasing from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024, with a target of reaching $300 billion by 2030.
ISRO Transfers Advanced Technologies to Private Sector
In a move to strengthen self-reliance and commercialization in the space sector, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) facilitated the transfer of five Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)-developed technologies to private Indian companies. This latest round of transfers brings the total number of Technology Transfer Agreements (TTAs) executed with industries to 98. The technologies are expected to find applications across diverse sectors including automotive, biomedical, and industrial manufacturing. One significant technology transferred is the Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic (LTCC) Multi-Chip Module, developed by the Space Application Centre (SAC), which allows for the integration of multiple semiconductor chips into a single compact module for biomedical use.
Maruti-Suzuki Unveils First Made-in-India Electric Vehicle and Battery Facility
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Maruti-Suzuki's first "Made-in-India" global Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), the "e VITARA," along with a new lithium-ion battery production facility. The facility is located in Hansalpur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This development underscores the growing partnership between India and Japan in fostering clean energy solutions and boosting domestic manufacturing capabilities in the electric vehicle segment.
India Successfully Test-Fires Agni-V Ballistic Missile
India successfully test-fired its intermediate-range ballistic missile, Agni-V, from a test range in Odisha on August 20. The nuclear-capable missile, with a strike range exceeding 5,000 kilometers, is 17.5 meters long, weighs 50,000 kg, and can carry over 1,000 kg of nuclear or conventional payload. Capable of traveling at hypersonic speeds of nearly 30,000 km per hour, the Agni-V is considered among the fastest ballistic missiles globally, and its primary mission is viewed as a strategic deterrent against China.