Space Exploration: ISRO Achieves Cryogenic Engine Milestone
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted a "boot-strap mode start" test on its CE20 cryogenic engine, which powers the upper stage of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3) rocket. This test, performed under vacuum conditions at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri on November 7, 2025, for a duration of 10 seconds, is a significant step towards enhancing the restart capability and mission flexibility of future LVM-3 flights. The CE20 engine is already qualified for the Gaganyaan program and typically ignites using a stored-gas start-up system. The new boot-strap mode allows the engine to reach stable operation without external assistance, which is crucial for complex orbital maneuvers and multi-orbit deployments in future missions, as it eliminates the need for separate gas bottles for each restart, thereby increasing payload capacity.
In another astronomical development, ISRO-affiliated scientists from the Physical Research Laboratory in India have captured detailed images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS using the 1.2-meter telescope at Mount Abu. Observed between November 12 and 15, 2025, the observations provide insights into the comet's coma structure and dust activity, and spectroscopy indicates the presence of CN, C2, and C3 molecules, offering clues about its composition and the environment of its distant star system.
Defence Technology: DRDO's Autonomous Vehicles and Directed-Energy Weapons
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has made notable advancements in defence technology. The Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam successfully developed a new generation of Man-portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (MP-AUVs) for mine countermeasure operations. These MP-AUVs are equipped with advanced sensors and autonomous capabilities, including Side Scan Sonar and underwater cameras, to detect and classify mine-like objects in real-time. Onboard deep learning algorithms enable autonomous classification, significantly reducing operator workload.
Furthermore, DRDO has successfully field-tested a ground-based High-Power Microwave (HPM) directed-energy weapon (DEW) system. This system, operating in the S-Band frequency and delivering pulses in the hundreds of megawatts, demonstrated the ability to disable drone swarms during trials, marking a significant boost to India's defence capabilities against modern aerial threats. Following these developments, the Indian Army and Air Force have requested 16 laser anti-drone systems from DRDO, with plans to procure advanced systems capable of targeting drones at ranges up to 5 km using a 30-kilowatt laser.
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Initiatives
India is actively pushing its Artificial Intelligence (AI) agenda with several new initiatives. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched 'YUVA AI for ALL' under the IndiaAI Mission, offering a free course to introduce AI to all Indians. MeitY also introduced the 'IndiaAI Governance Guidelines' to promote the safe, inclusive, and responsible use of AI across various sectors, aiming to democratize AI benefits and foster technological self-reliance. These guidelines emphasize expanding access to AI resources like data and computing power to stimulate innovation.
In a significant development for India's AI ecosystem, ATOMESUS AI Pvt. Ltd., an enterprise large language model (LLM) developed by ISRO-guided college students, is set to launch. This platform is engineered to support India's multilingual landscape, optimizing performance for various Indian languages and ensuring data sovereignty by processing all user data exclusively within India.
The Regional Open Digital Health Summit 2025, held in New Delhi, underscored India's advancements in using Generative AI (GenAI) for health, including AI-enabled surveillance, disease prediction, and diagnostic support for frontline health workers. A recent IDC Data and AI Impact Report, commissioned by SAS, revealed that Indian organizations show high trust in GenAI, with a strategic focus on decision-making, product innovation, and process efficiency, although data centralization and governance remain challenges.
Scientific Research and Innovation Ecosystem
Indian scientists have contributed to significant breakthroughs in fundamental biology. A collaborative research effort involving Indian and international institutions has challenged a 50-year-old rule of ecology regarding gene regulation, demonstrating that "silent" DNA segments play a dynamic role in gene expression. Another study, led by the Indian Council of Medical Research, discovered a "genetic switch" involving genes HOXA10 and TWIST2 that controls embryo implantation in the womb, a process conserved across species. Additionally, a team of Indian and international scientists has overturned a long-standing model of bacterial gene regulation, showing that the sigma factor in *Bacillus subtilis* remains attached to RNA polymerase throughout transcription, which has implications for antibiotic development.
The 2025 Tata Transformation Prize recognized three Indian scientists for their breakthrough technologies: Padubidri V. Shivaprasad for improving stress tolerance and nutritional value in rice, Balasubramanian Gopal for a green chemistry platform using bioengineered E. coli, and Ambarish Ghosh for advancing magnetic nanorobots for targeted cancer therapies.
To further boost the R&D ecosystem, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ā¹1 Lakh Crore Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme Fund at the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025. This scheme aims to promote a private sector-driven research and development environment. A "Nationwide Innovation Challenge" has also been announced ahead of the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025, inviting innovators, particularly from "Gen Z," to submit ideas across various emerging fields.
In skill development, the Karnataka government plans to train 90 women in tier 2 and tier 3 cities in VLSI design and embedded software, targeting those who have taken career breaks to re-enter the semiconductor industry. Separately, Samsung launched 'DigiArivu ā Empowering Students Thru Tech' in Tamil Nadu in partnership with the United Nations Global Compact Network India, aiming to strengthen digital STEM education for over 3,000 students by upgrading school infrastructure and training teachers.