DRDO Successfully Tests Indigenous Fighter Aircraft Escape System
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved a significant milestone on December 2, 2025, by successfully conducting a high-speed rocket sled test of an indigenous fighter aircraft escape system. The test, carried out at the Rail Track Rocket Sled facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory in Chandigarh, validated critical components including canopy severance, ejection sequencing, and complete aircrew recovery for the Light Combat Aircraft. This development marks a crucial step towards enhancing the safety and self-reliance of India's aerial defense capabilities.
India International Science Festival 2025 Announced with "Atmanirbhar Bharat" Theme
A curtain-raiser event for the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025 was held in Lucknow on December 2, 2025, setting the stage for the main festival to be held from December 6-9 in Panchkula, Haryana. This year's theme, "Science for Prosperity: Towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India), aims to underscore the pivotal role of science and innovation in fostering national prosperity and self-sufficiency. The festival is expected to showcase advancements and encourage participation from various scientific and technological domains.
NHAI and Reliance Jio Partner for Highway Safety Alert System
In an effort to enhance road safety, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Reliance Jio on December 2, 2025. This collaboration aims to deploy a telecom-based safety alert system across National Highways, leveraging technology to provide timely warnings and improve the overall safety infrastructure for commuters.
"Sanchar Saathi" App Pre-installation Mandate Sparks Privacy Concerns
The Indian government has mandated that all smartphone manufacturers pre-install the "Sanchar Saathi" cyber safety app on new devices sold in India, with a 90-day compliance period from late Monday (around December 1, 2025). The app is designed to help users track lost or stolen phones, identify and disconnect fraudulent mobile connections, and report scams. While the government asserts the move is to combat telecom cybercrime, particularly IMEI tampering and the sale of stolen phones, it has drawn significant criticism from privacy advocates and opposition politicians who express concerns about potential government surveillance and infringement on user privacy.
Indian Researchers Discover Orbital-Driven Magnetism
On November 30, 2025, a significant scientific breakthrough was reported by researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) in Bengaluru. They discovered a novel form of magnetism in neodymium nitride (NdN) that is driven by the orbital motion of electrons, rather than the traditional electron spin. This finding, published in ACS Nano, opens new avenues in the field of "orbitronics" and holds substantial implications for the development of advanced quantum technologies, more efficient electronics, and high-performance memory devices.