$10 Bn AI Investment Can Bring India to AI Frontier in 1 Year: Sarvam AI CEO

India's R&D Spending, Patents Surge but Systemic Barriers Hinder Science Superpower Status: E-book

A Hindu e-book analyzes India's scientific trajectory, noting increased R&D spending and patent filings but flagging critical gaps: poor lab-to-market translation, bureaucratic hurdles, brain drain, and rising pseudoscience. For exams, this is a rich source of 'Challenges to India's Innovation Ecosystem' for GS3.

TN Budget 2026-27: India's First AI City 'Arivagam' & Space Industrial Zone with ₹35,062 Cr MoUs

Tamil Nadu's TVK-led government, in its maiden Budget for 2026-27, announced India's first AI and innovation city 'Arivagam', a Space Industrial Investment Zone in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli, and signed MoUs worth ₹35,062 crore that could create 14,790 jobs. This signals a major push for technology and industrial growth in the state.

India's Space Launch Cost Highest at $13,302/kg; Study Cites ISRO's Small Rocket Fleet & Infrequent Launches

A peer-reviewed study published in Economics Letters reveals that India's per-kilogram cost to send payload to low-earth orbit is the highest among major spacefaring nations at $13,302, contradicting its reputation for low-cost launches. The high cost is attributed to ISRO's reliance on small rockets and insufficient launch frequency, preventing economies of scale.

PM Modi to 20+ Space Start-ups: India's Private Space Ecosystem Can Attract Global Talent Pool

PM Modi met over 20 space start-up founders ahead of National Space Day, lauding their courage and stating that India's private space ecosystem can become a global magnet for scientific talent. The government promised stable policy support, boosting the morale of India's rapidly expanding space start-up sector, which now has over 400 companies.

India's Space Launch Cost $13,302/kg in 2025 vs Global Avg $3,868; Only 5 Launches vs Target 30

India's space sector faces a critical challenge: high launch costs ($13,302/kg in 2025) and infrequent launches (5 vs target 30) undermine competitiveness against SpaceX and China. The editorial argues for a shift from romantic nationalism to a business-focused approach emphasizing reliability, cost reduction, and heavy-lift capacity to capture global market share.

Private Industry Accounts for 51.8% of India's R&D Spending; ANRF Corpus ₹50,000 Cr

India's private sector has overtaken the government in R&D spending for the first time, accounting for 51.8% in 2023-24. However, part of the surge is due to better data capture. India's R&D intensity remains low at 0.84% of GDP. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (₹50,000 crore) aims to boost private sector research and deepen the research workforce.

India Targets 100 GW Nuclear Capacity by 2047, 5 New Reactors This Decade for AI & Chip Demand

PM Modi announced a target of 100 GW nuclear power by 2047 and 5 new reactors this decade, driven by soaring electricity demand from AI, semiconductors, and data centres. The SHANTI Act and draft rules now enable private participation, with a focus on small modular reactors (SMRs) for faster deployment and grid flexibility.

ISRO Launches EOS-05: India's First Geo-Imaging Satellite in Geosynchronous Orbit; SC Invokes Article 142 to Quash CJP Protest Cases

A day of high exam relevance: ISRO successfully launched EOS-05, India’s first dedicated geo-imaging satellite in geosynchronous orbit, breaking a failure streak. The Supreme Court used its extraordinary power under Article 142 to close cases linked to CJP protests, raising important constitutional questions. Other key updates include OpenAI’s new autonomous AI model, Manipur’s NRC-first demand for Census deferral, mistrust in GDP data, and Tata Chemicals’ Kenya dispute.