Science & Technology in News — May 2026

1. Google Gemini, ChatGPT, and Perplexity are identified as prominent AI models impacting information retrieval. · 31 May · GS3 · note
2. Advanced encryption techniques were previously used by security agencies to dismantle similar networks in 2019-20. · 31 May · GS3 · note
3. Loktak Protocluster: An ancient galaxy city/protocluster discovered in the early universe. · 31 May · GS3 · note
4. Subaru Telescope: One of the instruments used to gather data for the discovery. · 31 May · GS3 · note
5. James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): NASA-led space observatory used to reveal the cosmic anomaly. · 31 May · GS3 · note
6. BrahMos: A two-stage, supersonic cruise missile developed by DRDO and NPO Mashinostroyeniya · 31 May · GS2 · note
7. Unit distance problem: A problem in combinatorial geometry regarding the maximum number of pairs of points exactly one unit apart. · 31 May · GS3 · note
8. OpenAI: The organization whose advanced AI model disproved the Paul Erdos conjecture. · 31 May · GS3 · note
9. PLOS Climate: A scientific journal reporting on climate impacts and fossil fuel consequences. · 31 May · GS3 · note
10. Invisible keywords refer to the use of a competitor's trademark in search engine ad metadata rather than the visible ad copy · 31 May · GS3 · note
11. AI-based sensors and watch towers proposed as mitigation strategies for elephant corridors · 31 May · GS3 · note
12. Study published in *Science Advances* by researchers from The University of Alabama. · 31 May · GS3 · note
13. BrahMos: A supersonic cruise missile developed as a joint venture between India and Russia. · 31 May · GS2 · note
14. NASA selected Blue Origin, Intuitive Machines, and Astrobotic to develop lunar systems. · 31 May · GS2 · note
15. SpaceX is tasked with developing a reliable human landing system for the program. · 31 May · GS2 · note
16. Post-quantum cryptography was identified as a key area for technological preparation · 31 May · GS3 · note
17. Underwater drones: Technology being developed under AUKUS to protect undersea internet cables. · 31 May · GS2 · note
18. BrahMos: A supersonic cruise missile system developed as a joint venture between India and Russia. · 30 May · GS2 · note
19. Javelin: An anti-tank guided munition produced through co-production between India and the US. · 30 May · GS2 · note
20. NGS: Next Generation Sequencing is the technology used for cancer diagnostic services at the centre. · 30 May · GS2 · note
21. Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD): A natural temperature imbalance in the Indian Ocean that pushes moisture-laden winds toward the subcontinent. · 30 May · GS3 · note
22. El Nino: A warming of the Pacific Ocean that disrupts normal weather patterns and can lead to below-average monsoon rainfall in India. · 30 May · GS3 · note
23. Samadhan Didi: AI-enabled chatbot for grievance redressal · 30 May · GS2 · note
24. The update process utilizes facial recognition technology for verification. · 30 May · GS2 · note
25. Small modular reactors: A focus area for India-Russia energy cooperation · 30 May · GS2 · note
26. AUVs: Autonomous underwater vehicles designed for undersea operations and infrastructure monitoring. · 30 May · GS2 · note
27. Training modules included counter-terrorism, jungle warfare, rappelling, and casualty evacuation drills. · 30 May · GS2 · note
28. Project 75(I): An Indian Navy initiative for the acquisition of six stealth submarines. · 30 May · GS2 · note
29. WhatsApp is the primary medium for delivering weather alerts to farmers · 30 May · GS3 · note
30. Amivantamab: A triple-action cancer jab targeting EGFR and MET pathways. · 30 May · GS3 · note
31. Genome sequencing aims to identify genetic variants unique to the Indian population · 30 May · GS3 · note
32. Geopolitical tensions in West Asia are cited as a driver for higher oil prices and capital flight. · 30 May · GS3 · note
33. The exercise focused on counter-insurgency and building mutual trust in the Indian Ocean region. · 30 May · GS3 · note
34. Barium nitrate: Chemical compound subject to a Supreme Court ban in the fireworks industry · 29 May · GS3 · note
35. A2000: One of India's first AI/ML chips designed for compact, power- and cost-sensitive edge devices. · 29 May · GS3 · note
36. Isobutanol: A biofuel being proposed for blending with diesel to enhance energy security · 29 May · GS3 · note
37. PFUTP Regulations: Regulations governing the trading of futures and options in the Indian capital markets · 29 May · GS3 · note
38. Ice-penetrating radar: Technology used to detect ancient river plains beneath the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. · 29 May · GS3 · note
39. New Glenn: A rocket developed by the private aerospace company Blue Origin. · 29 May · GS3 · note
40. Iran's nuclear program remains a primary unresolved issue in the negotiations · 29 May · GS2 · note
41. The primary focus of the negotiation window is Iran's nuclear program. · 28 May · GS2 · note
42. Model Solar Villages and solar-powered pump sets are key components of the initiative. · 28 May · GS3 · note
43. Artificial Intelligence: To be used for data analysis and identifying ineligible beneficiaries in the welfare card system. · 28 May · GS2 · note
44. El Nino effect predicted for late 2026 is a primary driver for record-breaking temperatures · 28 May · GS3 · note
45. MPD thruster: A type of electric propulsion technology capable of sustained acceleration over long distances. · 27 May · GS3 · note
46. Mission STRATO-XI: India's first air-breathing cold plasma propulsion in the stratosphere · 27 May · GS3 · note
47. Loktak Protocluster: A structure formed 1.2 billion years after the Big Bang. · 27 May · GS3 · note
48. Subaru Telescope and James Webb Space Telescope: Instruments used to identify the protocluster. · 27 May · GS3 · note
49. Blue Moon: The cargo lander developed by Blue Origin for lunar missions. · 27 May · GS3 · note
50. Artemis program: NASA's ongoing program involving SpaceX and other entities for lunar exploration. · 27 May · GS3 · note
51. Oklo: One of the five companies selected by the US Department of Energy to discuss using surplus plutonium as fuel. · 26 May · GS2 · note
52. NASA's lunar base plan includes the use of robotic landers and hopping drones. · 26 May · GS3 · note
53. Tokenization is being explored by SEBI as a method for debt fundraising and asset management. · 26 May · GS3 · note
54. Functional connections: A mathematical framework used for 30 million simulations to find lunar trajectories. · 26 May · GS3 · note
55. Tianzhou-10: China's space mission that carried human artificial embryos into orbit. · 26 May · GS3 · note
56. Comparative study: The mission included zebrafish and mouse embryos to study species-specific responses to microgravity. · 26 May · GS3 · note
57. TSMC: Dominant player in the global AI and semiconductor supply chain · 26 May · GS3 · note
58. Smart Border Concept: technology-driven security involving drones, radars, and cameras · 25 May · GS3 · note
59. Rare earth minerals: identified as a strategic resource in coastal regions · 25 May · GS3 · note
60. CHIRAG incorporates AI and ML for HR policy formulation and inter-system integration · 25 May · GS3 · note
61. Brown dwarf: A substellar object more massive than a planet but less massive than a star. · 25 May · GS3 · note
62. Shenzhou-23: The spacecraft used for the first Hong Kong astronaut mission. · 25 May · GS2 · note
63. Tiangong: The Chinese space station where the crew docked. · 25 May · GS2 · note
64. Shenzhou-23: China's space mission involving a three-crew orbital flight. · 24 May · GS3 · note
65. Long March 2-F: The rocket used for the Shenzhou-23 launch. · 24 May · GS3 · note
66. CMSA: China Manned Space Agency, the body responsible for the mission. · 24 May · GS3 · note
67. The project uses excess water from the Igoo-Phey irrigation canal to replenish depleted aquifers. · 24 May · GS3 · note
68. Starship: SpaceX's next-generation rocket designed for moon missions and Starlink satellite deployment · 23 May · GS3 · note
69. The attack method involves counterfeit login pages to steal One-Time Passwords (OTPs). · 23 May · GS3 · note
70. HIFIm: A device designed to maintain muscle mass and bone density for astronauts. · 23 May · GS3 · note
71. Agni-1: A short-range ballistic missile system of India · 23 May · GS3 · note
72. Vast Space, Axiom Space, Orbital Reef, and Starlab are companies developing commercial space stations. · 22 May · GS2 · note
73. Vayu Astra-1: An indigenous loitering munition system developed by Nibe Limited. · 22 May · GS3 · note
74. ILRS: International Lunar Research Station project led by China and Russia. · 21 May · GS3 · note
75. Artemis program: NASA's initiative to build a permanent lunar base by 2028. · 21 May · GS3 · note
76. Keratin: A structural protein found in wool, hair, and nails used in the new bone-healing material. · 21 May · GS3 · note
77. The material serves as a sustainable alternative to conventional collagen-based scaffolds for bone repair. · 21 May · GS3 · note
78. Bacterial cellulose: A supermaterial grown using bacteria for industrial applications. · 20 May · GS3 · note
79. USD/INR buy/sell swap: A mechanism where banks sell dollars to the RBI at a predetermined premium to manage liquidity. · 20 May · GS3 · note
80. Key focus sectors for India-Italy trade: defense, aerospace, and clean technologies · 20 May · GS2 · note
81. Cooperation areas: digital infrastructure, AI, space exploration, and defense · 19 May · GS2 · note
82. Infrastructure model: Common Facility Centres (CFCs) for shared technology · 19 May · GS3 · note
83. OpenAI is establishing a subsidiary specifically for enterprise AI integration · 19 May · GS3 · note
84. Pre-monsoon convective systems and western disturbances are primary drivers of severe thunderstorms in Northern India · 18 May · GS3 · note
85. India-Sweden Science and Technology Centre is a key initiative for deepening ties · 17 May · GS2 · note
86. Bullet train corridors are approved to connect Bengaluru with Hyderabad and Chennai. · 17 May · GS3 · note
87. Norway's Government Pension Fund is a key source of investment for Indian infrastructure · 17 May · GS2 · note
88. Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) and Space Applications Centre (SAC-ISRO) collaborated on the tectonic plate study. · 17 May · GS1 · note
89. ASAN Khidmet is an Azerbaijani service model discussed for replication in Pakistan. · 17 May · GS2 · note
90. ASML is a Dutch technology giant specializing in advanced chipmaking tools. · 17 May · GS2 · note
91. High-entropy metallic composite: A mix of metals like iron or cobalt used to optimize thermochemical reactions for fuel production. · 15 May · GS3 · note
92. El Nino phenomenon is cited as a factor for potential drought impacts · 15 May · GS1 · note
93. Abhay: AI-powered helpbot for notice verification · 15 May · GS3 · note
94. Fundraising routes include IPO, FPO, and Qualified Institutional Placements (QIP) as approved by SEBI. · 15 May · GS3 · note
95. EGRs: Digital representations of physical gold stored in regulated vaults · 15 May · GS3 · note
96. Psyche mission: NASA spacecraft launched in 2023 to study asteroid 16 Psyche · 14 May · GS3 · note
97. Mission objectives: Study composition, magnetic field, gravity, surface geology, and internal structure of 16 Psyche · 14 May · GS3 · note
98. CSIRO: Australia's national science agency responsible for the original radio astronomy research. · 14 May · GS3 · note
99. Fast Fourier Transform: Mathematical technique used to filter cosmic noise and mitigate multipath interference. · 14 May · GS3 · note
100. Falcon 9: A reusable rocket developed by SpaceX. · 14 May · GS3 · note
101. The 'duration of status' system is a current framework for international students' work options. · 13 May · GS3 · note
102. BrahMos: A cruise missile system used by India in the recent conflict against Pakistani airbases · 10 May · GS2 · note
103. Shared digital infrastructure includes software, cloud services, and payment networks · 9 May · GS2 · note
104. AI systems were developed for clinical document classification, radiological image analysis, and forgery detection. · 9 May · GS3 · note
105. Chengdu J-10C: A fighter jet equipped with PL-15 air-to-air missiles. · 9 May · GS3 · note
106. Fatah: A guided multiple launch rocket system used for precision strikes. · 9 May · GS3 · note
107. CM-400AKG: A supersonic anti-ship missile used against air defense systems. · 9 May · GS3 · note
108. Auto-adjudication: The use of automated systems to process and decide on insurance claims. · 8 May · GS3 · note
109. QR code-enabled identity cards are being used to verify the legitimacy of census enumerators. · 8 May · GS3 · note
110. Predictive AI: Proposed as an advanced quality tool for aerospace systems. · 8 May · GS3 · note
111. Both India and Pakistan are investing heavily in drone technology for military modernization. · 8 May · GS2 · note
112. Deepfakes: AI-generated synthetic media used to falsely attribute statements or actions to individuals · 8 May · GS3 · note
113. MPD Thruster: Utilizes electromagnetic fields to accelerate ionised plasma for propulsion. · 7 May · GS3 · note
114. Lithium-fed MPD thrusters are a precursor for more efficient nuclear-electric propulsion systems. · 7 May · GS3 · note
115. NISAR: A joint satellite mission between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) · 7 May · GS3 · note
116. Perseverance rover: NASA mission currently exploring the Jezero Crater on Mars. · 6 May · GS3 · note
117. Mastcam-Z: Camera system used by the Perseverance rover to capture 360-degree panoramas. · 6 May · GS3 · note
118. Soft release centers are used as a rehabilitation method for wild elephants · 6 May · GS3 · note
119. Projects approved include data centers, pumped storage hydro energy, and green hydrogen initiatives. · 6 May · GS3 · note
120. IISS: International Institute for Strategic Studies notes strengthened US-Pakistan ties since the conflict · 6 May · GS2 · note
121. The review process targets risks related to cybersecurity, biosecurity, and chemical weapons · 5 May · GS2 · note
122. Pixxel: A Bengaluru-based space startup providing commercial remote sensing capabilities. · 5 May · GS3 · note
123. Firefly constellation: A fleet of hyperspectral satellites operated by Pixxel. · 5 May · GS3 · note
124. BrahMos: A supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia · 5 May · GS2 · note
125. El Nino: A climate pattern associated with increased droughts, wildfires, and flooding. · 5 May · GS3 · note
126. Mitigation: Diversification of energy grids with renewable sources like solar and wind power. · 5 May · GS3 · note
127. GalaxEye Drishti: A satellite designed by a Bengaluru-based space startup. · 5 May · GS3 · note
128. AIT: Assembly, Integration and Testing process including mechanical assembly and environmental qualification. · 5 May · GS3 · note
129. Sky Map: A command-and-control platform developed by Sky Fortress for drone detection. · 4 May · GS2 · note
130. Shahed drones: The specific Iranian-made drones targeted by the Sky Map system. · 4 May · GS2 · note
131. Cell Broadcast Alert System: utilizes indigenous technology for emergency alerts · 2 May · GS3 · note
132. Common Alerting Protocol (CAP): the underlying standard for the system · 2 May · GS3 · note
133. Ask-Advise-Refer (AAR): A brief intervention model used for tobacco cessation and TB screening · 2 May · GS2 · note
134. The antitrust case specifically concerns the iPhone app markets. · 2 May · GS2 · note
135. Phytochromes and cryptochromes: Proteins that regulate plant growth and light responses. · 1 May · GS3 · note
136. Project 17A: The Indian Navy's project for Nilgiri-class frigates. · 1 May · GS3 · note
137. Warship Design Bureau: The body responsible for the design of the Nilgiri-class frigate. · 1 May · GS3 · note
138. The project features Asia's widest underground tunnel. · 1 May · GS3 · note
139. The Pentagon is seeking to diversify AI tool access to avoid vendor lock-in. · 1 May · GS2 · note
140. Anthropic was barred from Pentagon systems due to supply chain risks and national security concerns regarding its cyber capabilities. · 1 May · GS2 · note
141. Renewable energy sources identified for prioritization include wind and solar. · 1 May · GS3 · note
142. El Niño impact: Predicted to cause above-normal temperatures and below-normal rainfall across most of South Asia in 2026. · 1 May · GS3 · note
143. DevDroid: A Ukrainian defense company developing robot soldiers for battlefield use · 1 May · GS3 · note
144. Autonomous weapons systems: AI-powered systems capable of identifying targets and executing decisions without human intervention · 1 May · GS3 · note
145. Green methanol: A fuel source being developed from invasive biomass for ocean-going ships. · 1 May · GS3 · note

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