A new predatory dinosaur, Spinosaurus mirabilis or “Hell Heron,” was discovered in Niger’s Sahara. Found in inland river deposits, it challenges claims that spinosaurids were fully aquatic, suggesting a semi-aquatic wading hunter. Its crest, fish-trapping teeth, and 3D-modeled fossils highlight modern paleontology.
Click to View MoreIndia’s data centre boom, driven by the DPDP Act 2023 and AI growth, supports data sovereignty as the country generates 20% of global data but stores under 6%. However, rising energy and water demands risk strain. Sustainable mandates and Ireland-style regulation are vital to avoid digital colonialism.
Click to View MoreGraphics Processing Units (GPUs) are specialised processors designed for high-speed parallel computing, making them essential for graphics rendering, artificial intelligence, and large-scale data processing. Their architecture, which includes thousands of cores, high-bandwidth memory (VRAM), and programmable shaders, enables faster execution of repetitive numerical tasks compared to CPUs. In India, GPUs are becoming critical digital infrastructure, supporting AI innovation, scientific research under the National Supercomputing Mission, the startup ecosystem, and large-scale digital governance platforms. With rising demand and heavy import dependence, strengthening domestic semiconductor capabilities and expanding energy-efficient data centre infrastructure are key to ensuring technological self-reliance and global competitiveness.
Click to View MoreThe AI Impact Summit 2026 marked adoption of the New Delhi Declaration by 89 nations, shifting AI governance toward a development-first Global South vision rooted in “Sarvajan Hitaya.” Its 7 pillars promote equity, DPI export, and Global AI Commons, while challenges include compute gaps, energy costs, and voluntary compliance.
Click to View MoreRare earth magnets are high-performance materials essential for electric vehicles, wind turbines, electronics, and defence systems, making them critical for India’s clean energy transition and technological growth. With China dominating global processing, India’s push for domestic manufacturing, critical mineral processing, and recycling aims to reduce import dependence and build a self-reliant mine-to-magnet ecosystem to strengthen economic and strategic security.
Click to View MoreBio-based chemicals and enzymes are industrial products derived from renewable biological resources such as crops, biomass, and agricultural residues through processes like fermentation and enzymatic conversion. They offer a sustainable alternative to petrochemicals by reducing fossil fuel dependence, lowering carbon emissions, and supporting a circular bioeconomy.
India has strong potential in this sector due to its large agricultural base, established fermentation expertise, and growing manufacturing capacity. The government has prioritised biomanufacturing under the BioE3 policy, and domestic companies are increasingly investing in bio-based production. However, challenges such as higher costs, feedstock supply constraints, limited infrastructure, and slow market adoption need to be addressed.
With appropriate policy support, shared infrastructure, and market incentives, bio-based chemicals and enzymes can strengthen India’s industrial competitiveness, promote agricultural value addition, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
Click to View MoreIndia’s “Third Way” for AI governance promotes adaptive regulation and AI as Digital Public Infrastructure. Backed by the IndiaAI Mission and AIRAWAT compute push, it supports inclusion through Bhashini and global partnerships like GPAI. While promising for the Global South, hardware gaps, skills shortages, and enforcement remain challenges.
Click to View MoreAtal Innovation Mission launched “AI-Preneurs of India” at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, showcasing 45 deep-tech startups in health and agriculture. Backed by the ₹10,372 crore IndiaAI Mission, it reflects India’s shift to responsible AI, stressing innovation, Antyodaya, sovereign compute, data security, and talent development.
Click to View MoreThe India-AI Impact Summit 2026 reframed global AI governance toward development-focused use. India promoted the MANAV framework and New Delhi commitments, joined the Pax Silica semiconductor coalition, and advanced AI in health, agriculture, and Bhashini. Challenges include data sovereignty, de-skilling, and deepfake risks.
Click to View MoreIndia Semiconductor Mission 2.0, announced in Budget 2026–27 with an allocation of ₹1,000 crore, aims to strengthen domestic semiconductor manufacturing, develop indigenous equipment and materials, promote full-stack chip design, and build a skilled workforce. Building on the progress of earlier initiatives, the mission focuses on advanced manufacturing, supply chain resilience, and industry-led innovation. With a rapidly growing domestic market expected to reach $100–110 billion by 2030, ISM 2.0 seeks to reduce import dependence, meet 70–75% of India’s chip demand by 2029, and position the country as a trusted global semiconductor hub.
Click to View MoreIndia is advancing the democratisation of Artificial Intelligence by expanding affordable access to compute power, shared datasets, digital infrastructure and AI skills through initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission and AIKosh. With widespread 5G connectivity, growing data centre capacity and strong policy support, the approach aims to enable inclusive innovation, strengthen public service delivery, reduce regional disparities and position India as a global leader in equitable and development-focused AI.
Click to View MoreIndia’s heavy reliance on lithium-ion batteries exposes it to critical mineral risks and import dependence. Sodium-ion batteries offer a safer, lower-cost, and resource-secure alternative suitable for grid storage and mass mobility. With supportive policy and ecosystem development, they can play a key role in strengthening India’s long-term energy security.
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