Top Science & Tech Current Affairs 2025: Space Missions, ISRO, DRDO, Discoveries & More Part-1

1. Eastern India’s First Astronomical Observatory Inaugurated in West Bengal

The Department of Science and Technology inaugurated Eastern India’s first and India’s sixth Astronomical Observatory in West Bengal.

• Significance: Strengthens India’s space and astronomical research infrastructure in eastern India.

• Context: Previous observatories are located in places like Hanle (Ladakh) and Kavalur (Tamil Nadu). This new facility will enhance observation capacity in an underrepresented region.

📍 2. DRDO Ground-Tests Scramjet Subscale Combustor for 1,000 Seconds

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted ground testing of an Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor, marking a significant milestone in India's hypersonic propulsion research.

• Scramjet (Supersonic Combustion Ramjet): An advanced air-breathing jet engine that operates efficiently at hypersonic speeds (Mach 5+).

• Use: Vital for next-generation Hypersonic Cruise Missiles and reusable space launch systems.

📍 3. Saturn Now Has the Most Confirmed Moons: 274

• Saturn overtakes Jupiter with the highest number of confirmed moons (274).

• Largest Moon in Solar System: Ganymede (Jupiter).

• Saturn's Largest Moon: Titan, known for its thick atmosphere.

• Planet with Lowest Density: Saturn – less dense than water.

• Moons of Mars: Phobos and Deimos.

📍 4. India Launches First Human Underwater Submersible – MATSYA 6000 (Samudrayaan Mission)

• Mission aims to send three humans 6,000 meters deep in the Indian Ocean.

• Part of India's Deep Ocean Mission – to explore polymetallic nodules, hydrothermal sulfides, and biodiversity.

• Expected Launch: By 2026.

• Significance: Puts India in the league of countries like the USA, China, and Russia with deep-sea submersible tech.

📍 5. BioSaarthi Initiative Launched by Ministry of Science & Technology

• Aim: To support biotech startups through mentorship and guidance.

• Launched by: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh.

• Significance: Will help create a robust biotechnology ecosystem under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

📍 6. ISRO Launches ESA’s Proba-3 and Announces PSLV-C60/SpaDeX Mission

• Proba-3 launched via PSLV-C59 to study the Sun’s corona.

• Upcoming: PSLV-C60/SpaDeX Mission to demonstrate docking/undocking of satellites.

• Satellites: SDX01 (Chaser) & SDX02 (Target), each 220 kg.

• India becomes 4th country to demonstrate in-orbit satellite docking capabilities.

• Significance: Vital for satellite servicing and space station modules.

📍 7. “Akashteer” Air Defence System Developed by BEL

• Developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).

• Will enhance India’s multi-layered air defence system, possibly integrated with Akash and MR-SAM systems.

📍 8. BharatGen: India’s Indigenous GenAI Model Platform Launched

• Launched by Ministry of Science & Technology.

• Aligned with the vision of “Making AI in India and for India.”

• Will boost homegrown Generative AI innovation and reduce dependency on foreign tech.

📍 9. India–Kazakhstan Titanium Slag JV in Odisha

• Titanium Slag: Used in producing Titanium Dioxide and Titanium Metal.

• Context: India aims to reduce reliance on imports in high-value minerals and boost strategic mineral processing.

📍 10. Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost 1 Mission Lands on Moon

• Carried NASA equipment to assist future missions, including Artemis.

• Significance: Part of the new wave of commercial lunar exploration missions.

📍 11. Dhruva Space Launches 'AstraView' Satellite Imagery Service

• Based in Hyderabad, Dhruva Space is a private space-tech startup.

• 'AstraView' will offer real-time Earth monitoring, helpful for agriculture, urban planning, and disaster response.

📍 12. Space Kidz India Launches “ShakthiSAT” Mission for Girls

• Global training for 12,000 girls from 108 countries.

• Satellite to be launched under ISRO’s Chandrayaan-4 mission.

• Objective: Promote gender equity in STEM fields globally.

📍 13. Indigenous Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM) Test-Fired

• Developed by DRDO’s Naval Science and Technological Laboratory.

• Enhances India’s undersea warfare and naval deterrence capabilities.

• Multi-Influence: Detects magnetic, pressure, and acoustic signatures of enemy vessels.

📍 14. Sarvam AI to Develop India’s First AI Platform

• Founded by Vivek Raghuvanshi and Pratyush Kumar in 2023.

• Supports creation of foundational Indian AI models for education, healthcare, and governance.

📍 15. Intermediate-Mass Black Hole Discovered in NGC 4395

• Detected using 3.6m Devasthal Optical Telescope.

• Mass = 22,000 solar masses.

• Significance: First of its kind confirmed intermediate-mass black hole, bridging the gap between stellar and supermassive black holes.

📍 16. 9th Global Technology Summit Inaugurated in New Delhi

• Theme: "Sambhavna" (Possibilities).

• Inaugurated by EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar.

• Significance: Platform for discussing emerging tech and India’s role in shaping the digital future.

📍 17. Aditya-L1 Captures First-Ever Image of “Kernel” in Solar Flare

• India’s first solar observatory, launched by ISRO.

• Studying solar storms and corona for space weather forecasting.

• "Kernel": Brightest region of a solar flare.

📍 18. ISRO–JAXA Collaborate for LUPEX / Chandrayaan-5

• Goal: Explore lunar volatiles and water at the Moon’s south pole.

• ISRO will provide lander, JAXA the rover.

• Received GoI’s financial approval for development phase.

📍 19. Nag Mk 2 ATGM Successfully Test-Fired

• Range: 7–10 km.

• Launched from: NAMICA (Nag Missile Carrier).

• Based on fire-and-forget technology.

• Significance: Will strengthen India’s tank warfare and border defence capabilities.

📍 20. New Cambrian Sea Creature Discovered: Mosura fentoni

• Found in the Burgess Shale, a world-famous fossil site in Canada.

• Offers insights into early animal evolution and Cambrian biodiversity.

📍 21. NASA to Launch SPHEREx Telescope to Explore Big Bang Origins

• Will scan 450 million galaxies over 2 years.

• Aim: Study cosmic inflation, galaxy formation, and universe’s early history.

• Part of NASA’s astrophysics mission roadmap.

📍 22. WHO Declares India Has Eliminated Trachoma as Public Health Problem

• India becomes 3rd country in WHO SE Asia Region to eliminate it.

• Trachoma: A contagious eye disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.

• Significance: Major step towards Vision 2020 and public eye health safety.