Shri Kulkarni, an Indian-origin astronomer and one of the world’s leading figures in modern astrophysics, has been awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS). This is the highest honour given by the UK-based scientific body and has been awarded annually since 1824. The RAS said the award recognises Kulkarni’s long-standing and innovative contributions towards transient astrophysics, a field that studies short-lived and rapidly changing events in the universe. Past recipients of the medal include some of the most influential scientists in history, making it one of th
Dubai has taken a major step toward the future of transport with the launch of Phase 1 of its driverless robotaxi service. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the rollout in partnership with US-based autonomous vehicle company Cruise, bringing self-driving cars from demonstrations into real-world use on city roads. In a significant move, the RTA has also granted Baidu’s Apollo Go a first-of-its-kind permit in Dubai. The approval allows fully autonomous vehicles to operate on public roads without a safety driver on board. This marks a major milestone for commercial auton
The Karnataka government has hosted a high-level delegation from Penang, Malaysia, to explore opportunities for strategic collaboration in key technology and innovation sectors. The visit focused on strengthening ties in areas such as semiconductors, deep tech, space technologies, smart cities, skilling, and innovation-led industrial growth. The delegation was led by Jagdeep Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang, and included senior officials from the Penang State Government, the Penang Island City Council, and the Consulate General of Malaysia in Chennai. They held discussions wit
India and the United Arab Emirates have extended their growing scientific partnership to Antarctica, with Emirati researchers joining India’s 45th Antarctic Expedition at the Maitri research station. The Indian Embassy in the UAE said the collaboration marks a new phase in bilateral cooperation in polar and planetary research. According to the embassy, researchers from Khalifa University are working alongside Indian scientists to study Antarctica’s extreme terrain, which closely resembles the surface of Mars. The research is aimed at advancing understanding in polar science, climate st
India has secured nine major world records in space exploration and is on track to add eight to ten more in the coming years, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan said in New Delhi. He highlighted India’s growing global standing in space technology and innovation. Addressing an event, Mr. Narayanan said India’s space achievements span landmark missions such as Chandrayaan and the Mars Orbiter Mission, along with major progress in cryogenic technology. He noted that India became the first country to reach Mars on its maiden attempt with the Mars Orbiter Mission in 2014. In 2017, ISRO created a
ISRO is set to begin the new year with the launch of the PSLV-C62 mission on January 12 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The launch is scheduled for 10:17 am IST from the First Launch Pad, the space agency said. The primary payload of the mission is EOS-N1, an Earth observation imaging satellite developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation for strategic purposes. According to ISRO officials, the satellite will strengthen India’s surveillance and observation capabilities. In addition to the EOS-N1, the PSLV-C62 will carry a small pro
Andhra Pradesh is moving towards smart, technology-driven, and sustainable agriculture to raise farmers’ incomes, Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu said on Tuesday. The State aims to convert every drop of water into income through automation-based micro-irrigation systems, he said. The Minister was speaking after inaugurating an automation facility of the State Horticulture Department at the Integrated Water Resources Management and Farmer Training Centre in Vijayawada. He said falling water levels, climate change, and rising input costs have made the shift from traditional farming una
India has stepped up its human spaceflight plans, aiming to land Indian astronauts on the Moon by 2027, ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan said in Ahmedabad. He announced the 74th annual convocation of Gujarat University, where he outlined India’s future space mission roadmap. Dr Narayanan said the proposed Moon mission will focus on developing a spacecraft capable of safely carrying humans to the lunar surface and bringing them back to Earth. This goal is part of a broader long-term plan that includes expanding human missions in low Earth orbit, faster spacecraft production, robotic missions,
President Smt. Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said that India is moving fast towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy, with Artificial Intelligence emerging as a key growth driver. She was speaking at a special programme under SOAR – Skilling for AI Readiness held at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Smt. Murmu said AI is not just a new technology but a major opportunity for positive change in the country. She noted that in the coming decade, AI will play an important role in India’s GDP growth, job creation, and overall productivity. She added that skills such as data science, AI engineering
ISRO has now successfully tested the enhanced version of the third stage of their Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) and has reached a major milestone in achieving more effective launches for their small satellites. This test took place on 30th December 2025 at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The third stage is named SS3. It is an extremely crucial one as it imparts the satellite with high speed so that it enters space. While conducting the test, ISRO was testing the new form of this third stage that utilizes new materials that are stronger yet lighter. The new version will b