Latest Science and Technology current affairs 2026 covering DRDO scramjet test, ISRO PSLV-C62, AI Park, biodiversity discoveries, and global innovations.
Science and Technology Current Affairs – Detailed & Updated Analysis (2026)
India Achieves Major Breakthrough in Hypersonic Technology
India has taken a decisive leap in next-generation defence and aerospace capability with a landmark achievement by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Scientists successfully conducted a long-duration scramjet engine test lasting over 12 minutes, validating sustained supersonic combustion at Mach 5+ speeds, equivalent to nearly 6,100 km/h.
This test confirms India’s growing expertise in hypersonic propulsion, a domain mastered by only a handful of nations globally.
What makes the scramjet engine special?
- It uses air-breathing propulsion, drawing oxygen directly from the atmosphere.
- Eliminates the need to carry oxidizers, reducing weight and increasing efficiency.
- Features active cooling systems to withstand extreme thermal loads.
- Enables low-altitude, high-maneuverability hypersonic flight, making interception extremely difficult.
The engine was indigenously designed by DRDL, Hyderabad, with strong collaboration from Indian industry and academic institutions. This self-reliance strengthens India’s regional deterrence and strategic autonomy.
Progressive testing milestones
- January 2025: 120-second scramjet test
- May 2025: 1,000-second endurance run
- 2026: 12-minute sustained combustion test
This step-by-step scaling reflects a mature and risk-managed approach to cutting-edge defence technology.
Discovery of New Frog Species Expands India’s Biodiversity Record
Indian scientists have discovered two new species of slender-armed frogs from Arunachal Pradesh, highlighting the Eastern Himalayas as a global biodiversity hotspot.
Newly discovered species
- Soman’s Slender Arm Frog (Leptobrachium somani)
- Found at Tiwarigaon, Lower Dibang Valley
- Size: ~55 mm
- Named in memory of late journalist E. Somanath
- Mechuka Slender Arm Frog (Leptobrachium mechuka)
- Discovered near Mechuka town, Shi Yomi district
- Size: ~60 mm
- Habitat: Evergreen forests and grasslands
The findings were published in the international peer-reviewed journal PeerJ, through collaboration between the University of Delhi and the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology.
Scientific significance
- The Leptobrachium genus includes 39 species worldwide
- Only 4 species were previously known in India
- Belongs to family Megophryidae, which has 366 recognized species
- The Brahmaputra River acts as a major biogeographic barrier, separating northern and southern frog populations
These discoveries underline the urgent need for habitat conservation in fragile Himalayan ecosystems.
ISRO’s PSLV-C62 Mission Faces In-Flight Anomaly
India’s space ambitions witnessed a setback when Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) encountered a critical anomaly in the third stage (PS3) of the PSLV-C62 mission, launched from Sriharikota on January 12, 2026.
Mission highlights
- 64th flight of PSLV
- 5th mission of PSLV-DL variant
- 9th dedicated commercial launch by NSIL
- Primary payload: EOS-N1 (Anvesha) Earth-observation satellite
- 15 co-passenger satellites including AayuISAT, KID, and Brazilian payloads
The EOS-N1 hyperspectral satellite, developed by DRDO, was designed for advanced surveillance and strategic monitoring, offering enhanced spectral imaging for defence and security applications.
Innovative secondary payloads
- AayuISAT by OrbitAID Aerospace – India’s first on-orbit satellite refuelling demonstrator
- AI-based in-orbit data processing
- IoT and store-and-forward communication services
- Radiation measurement and agricultural data collection
Despite the anomaly, ISRO’s transparent analysis and corrective approach reinforce confidence in India’s space program.
India Post Delivers First ONDC Order
In a major step toward digital commerce inclusion, India Post successfully delivered its first order under the ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) framework.
Why this matters
- Strengthens last-mile logistics, especially in rural and remote areas
- Enables MSMEs to reach customers without platform monopolies
- Expands India Post’s role from traditional mail to digital logistics backbone
This move aligns with India’s vision of democratizing e-commerce and empowering small businesses.
Tamil Nadu to Build India’s First Sovereign AI Park
Tamil Nadu has partnered with Sarvam AI to establish India’s first Sovereign AI Park in Chennai, with an investment of ₹10,000 crore.
Key features
- Dedicated AI district with high-performance computing
- Secure, India-controlled data frameworks
- Advanced research labs and innovation clusters
- Creation of 1,000+ high-skilled jobs
A flagship component is the Institute for AI in Governance, focusing on:
- Ethical and accountable public-sector AI
- Secure citizen data handling
- AI applications in healthcare, education, agriculture, and public services
- Tamil-first AI models, preserving language and cultural context
This initiative positions India as a leader in sovereign, responsible AI development.
Ancient Giant Black Coral Discovered Near New Zealand
Scientists have discovered a 300–400-year-old giant black coral in the deep sea near New Zealand, the largest ever recorded in the country.
Why it is important
- Highlights the fragility of deep-sea ecosystems
- Indicates how little of the deep ocean has been explored
- Reinforces the need for marine conservation policies
Such ancient organisms serve as natural archives of ocean history and climate patterns.
Google Launches TranslateGemma for Multilingual AI
Google has unveiled TranslateGemma, an open AI translation model built on Gemma 3, supporting 55 languages.
Key advantages
- Efficient multilingual translation
- Works across mobile, local, and cloud platforms
- Optimized for low-resource environments
- Boosts accessibility for developers and researchers
TranslateGemma strengthens global communication and reflects the growing trend of open, responsible AI innovation.
Conclusion
From hypersonic scramjet propulsion and space missions, to AI sovereignty, digital commerce, biodiversity discovery, and deep-sea conservation, India and the global scientific community are advancing rapidly on multiple fronts.
These developments not only demonstrate technological maturity and innovation, but also emphasize sustainability, inclusivity, and strategic independence—key pillars shaping the future of science and technology.
