ISRO Charts Ambitious Course with Vision 2047 and Chandrayaan-3 Data Release
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is setting an ambitious trajectory for the nation's space endeavors, outlining its Vision 2047. This long-term plan includes the development of a hypersonic transport platform to revolutionize space access, significantly reducing launch costs and timelines. Key milestones within this vision include the establishment of the Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035 and achieving lunar landings by 2040.
In a move to foster broader scientific engagement, ISRO has also issued an Announcement of Opportunity (AO), inviting proposals from the national scientific community to analyze and utilize data from the Chandrayaan-3 lander and rover. This initiative aims to enhance the scientific output of the successful lunar mission, with proposals due by October 21, 2025.
Further solidifying its international collaborations, India and Japan have forged a significant partnership for a future Chandrayaan-5 mission. This arrangement will see Japan Aerospace Exploration Agencyβs (JAXA) H3 rocket carry an Indian-built lander and a Japanese rover to the Moon's south polar region.
Adding to India's self-reliance in space technology, the first 'Made in India' Vikram 32-bit Processor Launch Vehicle Grade chip was presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Semicon India 2025. This advanced microprocessor, designed and developed by ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Chandigarh, signifies a major step towards indigenous electronics for critical space applications.
Indigenous Water-Soluble Fertiliser Technology Marks Agricultural Breakthrough
India has achieved a significant milestone in its agricultural sector with the development of its first indigenous water-soluble fertilizer technology. After seven years of intensive research, this innovation is poised to drastically reduce India's heavy reliance on imported specialty fertilizers, particularly from China. The breakthrough is a true 'Make in India' success story, supported by the Ministry of Mines, and holds the potential to establish India as a dominant player in the specialty fertilizer export market.
AI Ecosystem Flourishes with Regulatory Focus and Diverse Applications
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) landscape in India continues to expand rapidly, with a focus on both regulatory frameworks and practical applications. Union Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, emphasized the need for a balanced regulatory approach for AI development, prioritizing safety, ethics, and inclusion. India's strategy aims for an open and flexible framework that serves the public good rather than imposing restrictive rules.
Globally, major AI players are eyeing India, with OpenAI reportedly considering building one of its largest AI data centers in the country. This potential investment would align with India's $1.2 billion IndiaAI Mission, which aims to develop language models tailored to Indian contexts and languages.
AI is also making substantial inroads into various sectors. Indian AI startup Agrograde is revolutionizing potato supply chain efficiency through optical sorting solutions, contributing to India's potential to become the world's top potato producer. In healthcare, startups like Qure.ai are leveraging deep learning for diagnostics, particularly in areas with a scarcity of radiologists, while Sarvam AI is focused on building India-centric foundational models. Furthermore, AI is being positioned to transform road infrastructure by enabling roads to detect distress, predict failures, and suggest maintenance, as highlighted in KPMG's 2025 report.
The conversational AI market in India is projected to grow significantly, reaching INR 152.31 billion by 2030, driven by the rapid evolution of voice assistants and smart devices. Tech Mahindra, in collaboration with MIT Technology Review Insights, also released a report highlighting the increasing role of AI in enhancing sustainability in product design and development.
Energy Sector Explores Battery Storage for Grid Stability
To address the challenges of integrating its rapidly growing solar capacity while maintaining a stable electricity supply, India will test the installation of battery storage systems at some coal power plants. This initiative aims to balance the grid, allowing thermal plants to manage fluctuations caused by solar power generation, particularly during peak solar hours and evening demand.