1. India Accelerates Spy Satellite Deployment
In response to escalating border tensions, India has expedited its $3 billion spy satellite initiative. Originally slated for completion in four years, the project is now set to launch by the end of 2026. Private firms Ananth Technologies, Centum Electronics, and Alpha Design Technologies are spearheading the development, aiming to enhance real-time surveillance capabilities.
2. DRDO’s Humanoid Robot for Military Applications
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Pune is developing a humanoid robot designed for frontline military missions. Equipped with advanced sensors and actuators, the robot can perform tasks such as gripping, obstacle removal, and hazardous material handling, aiming to reduce human exposure in high-risk environments.
3. Decline in India’s Life Expectancy
For the first time in five decades, India’s life expectancy has seen a decline, dropping to 69.8 years between 2017 and 2021. This decrease is largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a significant number of excess deaths during this period.
4. Formaldehyde Found in Personal Care Products
A recent study by the Silent Spring Institute revealed that over half of the personal care products used by Black and Latina women contain formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, a known carcinogen. These chemicals are prevalent in shampoos, lotions, and other beauty products, raising concerns about long-term health risks.
5. AI Bot ‘Allie’ Excels in NEET 2025
‘Allie,’ an AI-powered academic assistant developed by Allen Career Institute, achieved a remarkable score of 678 out of 720 in the NEET 2025 examination, demonstrating a 98.84% accuracy rate. This milestone underscores the growing role of AI in educational assessments and personalized learning.
6. AI Deciphers Ancient Roman Scroll
Utilizing advanced AI technology, researchers have successfully decoded a 2,000-year-old scroll charred during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The scroll, attributed to philosopher Philodemus, offers new insights into ancient Roman literature and thought.
7. Bluetooth 6.1 Enhances Privacy and Efficiency
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group has released Bluetooth Core Specification 6.1, introducing features like randomized Resolvable Private Address (RPA) updates. These enhancements aim to improve user privacy and power efficiency in Bluetooth-enabled devices.
8. Interlune’s Lunar Helium-3 Harvesting Plan
U.S. startup Interlune has announced plans to harvest helium-3 from the Moon’s surface by 2029. This rare isotope holds potential for clean energy production, and the initiative marks a significant step in extraterrestrial resource utilization.
9. NASA’s Laser Communication Breakthrough
NASA’s Psyche mission has achieved a milestone by transmitting data via laser from 16 million kilometers away, demonstrating the potential for high-bandwidth, real-time communication in deep space missions.
10. Alibaba’s ‘ZeroSearch’ AI Model Outperforms Google
Alibaba has introduced ‘ZeroSearch,’ an AI model that enhances search capabilities while reducing training costs by 88%.By simulating search engine interactions, ZeroSearch offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional models, challenging Google’s dominance in the search domain.
