Science and Technology (S&T)Digest - 16-31 May 2023, Issue 14

Dr Saroj Bishoyi, Research Fellow, VIF

June 16 , 2023 Views: 1209 Comments: 0

In this Issue

I. Defence and Security

Value of Defence Production Crosses Rs One Lakh Crore in FY 2022-23

The value of defence production in Financial Year (FY) 2022-23 has crossed the figure of Rs one lakh crore for the first time ever. The value currently stands Rs 1,06,800crore and it will go further up once the data is received from the remaining private defence industries. The current value of defence production in FY 2022-23 is a rise of more than 12 per cent over FY 2021-22, when the figure was Rs 95,000 crore. The Government is continuously working with defence industries and their associations to remove the challenges faced by them and promote defence production in the country. A number of policy reforms have been taken to achieve the objective of ease of doing business, including the integration of MSMEs and start-ups into the supply chain. Click here to read…

164 PIL Items Indigenised by DPSUs within Stipulated Timelines

In another boost to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence, 164 Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) items, with an import substitution value of Rs 814 crore, that were to be indigenised by December 2022, have met the target within the timelines and have been notified by the Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence (MoD). The indigenisation of these items has been achieved by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) either through Industry partners, including MSMEs, or in-house. Now, with the notification of these 164 additional items, the total numbers of indigenised items till December 2022 from these PILs of DDP stand at 2,736, worth an import substitution value of Rs 2,570 crore. Click here to read…

GRSE to Identify and Encourage the Development of Innovative Solutions

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, one of India’s premier defence shipyards and a Category 1 Mini Ratna Company, has embarked on a mission to identify and encourage the development of innovative solutions towards technological advances in shipbuilding by Startups. As part of this drive, the Company launched GRSE Accelerated Innovation Nurturing Scheme – 2023 or “GAINS 2023” in Kolkata on 22 May 2023 leverage the eco-system that addresses present and emerging challenges in the ship design and construction industry. With this initiative, the GRSE embraces the energy and ideas of today’s talented youngsters to revolutionise the industry and reaffirms its belief that the young minds of today are the driving force behind the future of both the company and the industry at large. Click here to read…

Maiden Night Landing of MiG-29K Onboard INS Vikrant

INS Vikrant, the first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier and the most complex warship built by M/s Cochin Shipyard Ltd, has undergone extensive Sea trials since her maiden sailing on 4 August2021. Commissioned into the Indian Navy on 2 September2022, the Carrier is a big boost to the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision of the Government of India. The Carrier is presently undergoing Air Certification and Flight Integration Trials with Rotary Wing and Fixed Wing aircraft for achieving 'Combat ready' state at the earliest. In continuance with the impetus on the Aviation Trials, the Navy has achieved another historic milestone by undertaking maiden night landing of MiG-29K on 24 May 2023. Click here to read…

II. STI in Space Sector

ISRO Launches Advanced Navigation Satellite NVS-01

On 29 May 2023, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its advanced navigation satellite NVS-01 from Sriharikota. The launch was carried out from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. NVS-01 is first of the India's second-generation NavIC satellites that accompany enhanced features. ISRO informed in a tweet that the satellite was injected into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit after 19 minutes of flight. ISRO stated that “After a flight of about 19 minutes, the NVS-O1 satellite was injected precisely into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. Subsequent orbit-raising manoeuvres will take NVS-01 into the intended Geosynchronous orbit”. Click here to read…

Chandrayaan-3 to Be Launched in July 2023

ISRO Chairman S Somnath on 29 May said that the Chandrayaan-3- the third edition of India’s mission to the moon- will be launched in July 2023. Chandrayaan-3 is a follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2 to demonstrate end-to-endcapability in safe landing and roving on the lunar surface. The ISRO chairman was speaking after the space agency successfully placed the NVS-01, the first of the second-generation satellite series, into geosynchronous transfer orbit. Meanwhile, the Chandraayan-3 mission consists of an indigenous lander module a propulsion module and a rover with an objective of developing and demonstrating new technologies required for Inter planetary missions. Click here to read…

ISRO and Navy Release Gaganyaan Recovery Training Plan

India’s foray into space gathered steam with the Indian Navy and ISRO releasing the Gaganyaan Recovery Training Plan at Water Survival Training Facility (WSTF) INS Garuda, Kochi on 24May 2023. The training document was jointly released by VAdm Atul Anand, Director General of Naval Operations, Dr Unnikrishnan Nair, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, (VSSC) and Dr Umamaheshwaran R, Director, Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) of ISRO. The document outlines the training plan for recovery of the Crew Module of the mission. It defines overall requirements w.r.t. training of various teams participating in recovery operations including Divers, MARCOs, Medical Specialists, Communicators, Technicians & Naval Aviators. Click here to read…

Voyage to the Space Applications Centre for the 20 Prodigious Winners

On 22 May 2023, Odisha’s Minister for Science & Technology, Ashok Chandra Panda, flagged off the voyage to the Space Applications Centre (SAC) of the ISRO in Ahmedabad for the 20 prodigious winners of the Tata Steel Young Astronomer Talent Search (YATS) 2022-23. The expedition, which commenced from Bhubaneswar on 22May 2023, includes students from across Odisha and their guide teachers, led by the Planetarium Director, SanjulataBehera. It will culminate on 29May 2023. The top 20 winners, selected on the occasion of the Grand Finale of YATS on 13December 2022, will tour various SAC labs and gain insights from India's elite space scientists, nurturing their enthusiasm in the realm of space exploration. Click here to read…

III. Nuclear Technology

Progress in Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources

More than 270 legal and technical experts from 128 countries and four international organizations convened in Vienna, Austria in the last week of May 2023 to review progress achieved in the safety and security of radioactive sources and address areas in need of improvement.Spanning five days, the meeting serves as a platform for global experts to exchange information on national implementation practices of the Code of Conduct and its two supplementary Guidance documents. These types of meetings take place every three years, enabling countries to share experiences, exchange lessons learned and identify existing and future challenges in the implementation of the Code. Click here to read…

China Indispensable IAEA Partner, Leader in Nuclear Energy, Says IAEA DG

As the IAEA supports efforts to accelerate the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity around the world, China is an indispensable partner in this endeavour, said IAEA Director General (DG), Rafael Mariano Grossi at the start of a week-long visit to China. MrGrossi is meeting with several high-level officials and visiting nuclear facilities and institutions in Beijing, Shanghai and Shandong, during his first official visit to the country. China has more than 50 operational nuclear power units and 24 are under construction. By 2035, China’s nuclear power generation will account for 10 per cent of the country’s electricity generation, according to the latest Blue Book of China Nuclear Energy Development Report. Click here to read…

Central Asia Shows Interest in Nuclear Energy

Central Asia is showing increased interest in nuclear power as a sustainable and reliable source of energy. Uzbekistan has started preparations for the construction of its first nuclear power plant and the Kazakhstan Ministry of Energy has recently proposed the potential reintroduction of nuclear power to reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels. The role that nuclear power can play to improve energy security in the region, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions is being increasingly explored. These steps towards the reintroduction or development of nuclear power programmes require robust nuclear law frameworks. The IAEA plays an essential role in enabling countries to benefit from these and other peaceful uses of nuclear technology. Click here to read…

Japan's Parliament Passes a Bill that Allows Nuclear Reactors

On 31 May 2023, Japan's parliament passed a bill that allows nuclear reactors in the country to be operated beyond the current limit of 60 years. The move has been taken in order to help cut carbon emissions and ensure an adequate national energy supply despite lingering concerns over the safety of aging reactors. According to Kyodo News, the law on power sources for green transformation and decarbonisation amends five laws associated with energy at once, including the electricity business law, under which the life span of reactors will be regulated. As per some lawmakers and citizens, the bill was hastily passed without adequate deliberation, and public concerns about the safety of aging reactors were not properly addressed. Click here to read…

G7 Emphasises Strengthening Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Efforts

Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) emphasised their determination to strengthen disarmament and non-proliferation efforts, towards the “ultimate goal of a world without nuclear weapons with undiminished security for all.” This came as the leaders met in Hiroshima for their annual Summit on 19-21May 2023, where they affirmed keenness to coordinate their approach to economic resilience and economic security that is “based on diversifying and deepening partnerships and de-risking, not de-coupling; drive the transition to clean energy economies of the future through cooperation within and beyond the G7.” They underscored the necessity of launching the “Hiroshima Action Statement for Resilient Global Food Security with partner countries to address needs today and into the future.” Click here to read…

Russia Signs Deal to Deploy Tactical Nuclear Weapons in Belarus

On 25 May 2023, Russia signed a deal with the Belarus government to formalise the deployment of tactical nuclear missiles on the latter country's territory, TASS, a Russian-based news agency reported. The Belarusian Defense Ministry reported that the Defence ministers of Russia and Belarus, Sergey Shoigu and Viktor Khrenin, respectively signed the documents defining the procedures for storing Russian nuclear weapons at a special facility on Belarusian territory.The ministry's press service said, “During the meeting, documents determining the procedure for keeping Russian non-strategic nuclear weapons in a special storage facility on the territory of the Republic of Belarus were signed”. Click here to read…

Russia Offers Floating Nuclear Power Plants Tech

Amid ongoing conflict with Ukraine, Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom has come forward to share its technology of floating nuclear power plant (FNPP) with its friendly countries to provide roundthe-clock power supply to remote areas. The floating power unit is 'Akademik Lomonosov' named after a Russian scientist. It is developed and operated by a power generation company called Rosatom in Pevek, most northern city of Russia and the Arctic port town in the Chukotka region. ANI visited the FNPP where it witnessed the functioning of the floating nuclear power plant in the extremely cold Siberian region where the Russian side highlighted the benefits it offers by providing energy to remote industrial enterprises, ports, and mining sites. Click here to read…

IV. Emerging Technologies and Applications

Government Approves PLI Scheme – 2.0 for IT Hardware

The government of India on 17 May 2023 has approved the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme 2.0 for IT Hardware with a budgetary outlay Rs. 17,000 crore. Electronics manufacturing in India has witnessed consistent growth with 17 per cent CAGR in last 8 years. This year it crossed a major benchmark in production – US $105 billion (about Rs 9 lakh crore). PLI Scheme 2.0 for IT hardware covers laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs, servers and ultra-small form factor devices. India is emerging as a trusted supply chain partner for all global majors. Click here to read…

NGEL and HMEL Sign MoU to Realize Green Energy & Hydrogen Objectives

In order to realize green energy and green hydrogen objectives, and India’s efforts towards energy transition; NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) and HPCL Mittal Energy Limited (HMEL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on 19 May 2023. The MoU envisages to collaborate in the field of Renewable Energy through sourcing of 250 MW RE-RTC (Round-The-Clock) power to meet the requirement of HMEL and also exploring opportunities in the Green Hydrogen business & its derivatives (Green Ammonia & Green Methanol). Click here to read…

Government Invites Applications for Setting up Semiconductor & Display Fabs

The Indian government has decided to invite new applications for setting up of Semiconductor Fabs and Display Fabs in India from 1 June 2023 under the Modified Semicon India Programme. The applications will be received by India Semiconductor Mission, the designated nodal agency entrusted with the responsibility of implementing the Modified Semicon India Programme for development of semiconductors and display manufacturing ecosystem in India. Under the Modified Programme, Fiscal Incentive of 50 per cent of the project cost is available to companies/consortia/ joint ventures for setting up of Semiconductor Fabs in India of any node (including mature nodes). Similarly Fiscal incentive of 50 per cent of the project cost is available for setting up of Display Fabs of specified technologies in India. Till date 26 applications have been received under DLI Scheme and five applications have been granted approval. Click here to read…

The 5G Rollout in India among the Fastest in the World

Prime Minister Modi launched the 5G services on 1st October 2022 and within 8 months of launch, 2,00,000 sites covering 700 districts have been installed. 5G network has been rolled out in all 28 states and 8 UTs now. Chardhams (Badrinath, Kedarnath,Gangotri, Yamnotri) are now covered with 5G Mobile coverage. Most of the Towers in Chardham yatra route also have now been connected. The 5G rollout has been one of the fastest roll out in the world with one site installed per minute. Telecom Services today in the State of Uttarakhand is as under 92.5 per cent of rural population has been covered with 4G mobile signal (as on 30 April 2023, the state of Uttarakhand has 1.4 crore Mobile subscribers and 3.2 lakhs wireline subscribers). Click here to read…

AI Supercomputer ‘AIRAWAT’, Installed at C-DAC, Ranks 75th in the World

The AI Supercomputer ‘AIRAWAT’, installed at C-DAC, Pune has been ranked 75th in the world. It was declared so in the 61st edition of Top 500 Global Supercomputing List at the International Supercomputing Conference (ISC 2023) in Germany. It puts India on top of AI Supercomputing nations worldwide. The system is installed under National Programme on AI by Government of India. Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) Secretary Shri Alkesh Sharma said, “Artificial Intelligence is the most promising technology in the digital age”. India has a strong ecosystem and competitive advantage for AI due to its massive data availability, strong digital economy and skilled workforce. Click here to read…

Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture

Digital public infrastructure for agriculture is built as an open source, open standard and interoperable public good. This will enable inclusive, farmer-centric solutions through relevant information services for crop planning and health, improved access to farm inputs, credit and insurance, help for crop estimation, market intelligence, and support for growth of Agri Techs industry and start-ups. Dr. Pramod Kumar Meherda, Additional Secretary, Government of India, said while addressing at a Workshop on Digital Crop Survey on 25 May 2023. Click here to read…

Pilot Project on Electronics Repair Services Outsourcing Launched

The Government has launched the Electronics Repair Services Outsourcing (ERSO) Pilot initiative to validate certain transformational policy and process changes to make India the Repair Capital of the World. Demonstrating true commitment to the growth of Industry, MeitY, CBIC, DGFT & MoEF&CC converged with industry to effect transformational policy and process changes that would make India the most attractive repair destination for ICT products globally. Over the next 5 years, India’s ERSO industry is likely to fetch India upto $20 billion in revenue and also generate millions of jobs. Click here to read…

V. International Cooperation

Startup20 Engagement Group hosts ‘Startup20-Embassies Meetup’

In a step that heralds a new era in the global startup ecosystem, the Startup20 engagement group hosted an Embassy meetup at Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog on 30 May 2023. With a singular objective of provoking an impactful response from the leadership of G20 countries, this meeting marks a significant milestone in shaping the future of startups worldwide. Esteemed representatives from countries like Denmark, Austria, Australia, Sweden, EU, Brazil, Oman, Canada, Indonesia, Mexico and Estonia actively participated in shaping policies that will drive the growth and success of startups across their respective nations. Key highlights of the meeting were how the participating countries could take the Policy Communiqué document to the actual stakeholders in the respective countries. Click here to read…

India-US Defence Tech Cooperation

The 17th meeting of India-US Defence Policy Group (DPG) has been held in Washington DC on 17 May 2023. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the progress made in furthering defence industrial cooperation and operationalising the India-US Major Defence Partnership. Considerable focus was given on the ways and means to enhance defence industrial cooperation, including technology partnership, long-term research & development and improving supply chain security. The meeting also discussed promoting co-development and co-production in India including potential areas and projects where Indian and US defence companies could work together. Click here to read…

First Meeting of India–EU Trade and Technology Council

The India–EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) met in Brussels on 16 May 2023. The meeting was co-chaired by the Indian Ministers Dr. S Jaishankar, Piyush Goyal and Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar with European Commission Executive Vice-Presidents Margrethe Vestager and Valdis Dombrovskis. In the joint statement, they noted that “India and the European Union are committed to deepening their partnership and leveraging their respective strengths to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced digital technologies that will benefit both societies and promote global progress in line with our common values.” It added, “The India and the European Union will undertake Quantum and High-Performance Computing research and development projects that could address climate change, natural hazards, bio-informatics, bio-molecular research, and drug development.” Click here to read…

Technology Cooperation between the Quad Countries

On 20 May 2023, the Quad leaders met for the third in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit, hosted by Prime Minister Albanese. In the joint statement, the leaders noted that “We recognise the transformative power of technology, including digital public infrastructure, to support sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific and deliver economic and social benefits. We are stepping up our efforts to strengthen supply chain resilience and improve the region’s digital connectivity through access to critical and emerging technologies and advanced telecommunications technology, including 5G networks.” It added, “The Quad International Standards Cooperation Network and the Quad Principles on Critical and Emerging Technology Standards, released today, reflect our support for industry-led, consensus-based multi-stakeholder approaches to the development of technology standards.” Click here to read…

VI. Regional and Global Trends

Mitigating Risk of Extinction from AI should be Global Priority

Dozens of artificial intelligence (AI) industry leaders, academics and even some celebrities called for reducing the risk of global annihilation due to AI. “Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war," read the statement published by the Center for AI Safety. According to CNN Business, the statement was signed by leading industry officials including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman; the so-called "godfather" of AI, Geoffrey Hinton; top executives and researchers from Google DeepMind and Anthropic; Kevin Scott, Microsoft's chief technology officer; Bruce Schneier, the internet security and cryptography pioneer; climate advocate Bill McKibben; and the musician Grimes, among others. The statement highlights wide-ranging concerns about the ultimate danger of unchecked AI. Click here to read…

ChatGPT CEO Altman Warns AI Can Go ‘Quite Wrong’

During Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said that “My worst fears are that we — the field, the technology, the industry — cause significant harm to the world. I think that can happen in a lot of different ways”. US Senators on both sides of the aisle questioned the CEO about the risks of AI technology as OpenAI and rival companies race to release new AI powered services. During the hearing, the first in a series of expected AI hearings, showcased a degree of bipartisan unity as lawmakers begin mulling regulation. Republicans and Democrats asked largely similar questions about the risks of AI, ranging from intellectual property concerns to the impact on jobs. Click here to read…

Beijing Moves to Limit Collateral Damage from Micron Sales Ban

China’s Foreign Ministry, the Commerce Ministry and nationalist tabloid Global Times have all described the US chip maker Micron ban as an individual case. Beijing is trying to limit collateral damage from its decision to partially ban sales in China by Micron on national security grounds, after Washington challenged the ruling as a deliberate targeting of US businesses in retaliation to US export controls imposed on China. Beijing says it is not a broader effort to damage the legitimate business activities of other US firms in the country. Click here to read…

Chinese Chip Output up 3.8 per cent in April 2023

According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), production data for China’s integrated circuit (IC), which covers companies with an annual turnover above 20 million yuan (US$2.9 million), showed 3.8 per cent year-on-year growth to 28.1 billion units in April 2023, the first monthly increase since January 2022.The increase came after March output recorded a decline of just 3 per cent from a year ago, compared with the 17 per cent year-on-year drop in the first two months, pointing to a recovery in chip production in the world’s largest semiconductor market. Beijing continues to push local industry to boost domestic chip production. Click here to read…

Japan Seeks Bigger Role in Global Semiconductor Supply Chain

Japan is seeking a more prominent role in the global semiconductor value chain, as the US and its allies move to limit China’s role in the future chip landscape.Ahead of the gathering of G7 leaders in the Japanese city of Hiroshima, some of the world’s largest chip makers, including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), South Korea’s Samsung Electronics, as well as Intel Corp and Micron Technology in the US, have agreed to invest billions of dollars into Japan, a development that is set to boost the country’s importance in the global chip industry.As part of the pact, Micron said it would invest up to 500 billion yen (US$3.6 billion) over the next few years, with support from the Japanese government. Click here to read…