Science & Technology

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Martian dust may pose Health Risks to Astronauts

Context: A recent study carried out by the US researchers has found that toxic dust on Mars would make a future mission to the red planet extremely hazardous for astronauts. 

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Mars; Mars Missions. 

Major Highlights of the Report

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  • Fine dust: The size of a Martian dust particle is quite small (it is about 4% the width of a human hair). The fine particles of the dust could penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream and cause respiratory issues. 
  • Toxic elements in Martian dust: Silica, gypsum, perchlorates, chromium, arsenic and nanophase iron oxides. The impact of these toxins could be more significant due to microgravity and radiation on Mars.
  • Dust storms: Every Martian year (which lasts ~687 Earth days), the planet witnesses regional dust storms. Every three Martian years, these storms grow into planet-encircling dust storms.

The use of air filters, self-cleaning space suits and electrostatic repulsion devices (remove dust particles) can limit exposure to dust. 

Facts about Mars

  • Fourth planet from the Sun and second-smallest planet in the Solar System. Mars is about half the size of Earth. 
  • Similarity to Earth (Orbit and Rotation):
    • Mars rotates every 24.6 hours, which is very similar to one day on Earth (23.9 hours).
    • Mars' axis of rotation is tilted 25 degrees with respect to the plane of its orbit around the Sun. Earth’s axial tilt is 23.4 degrees.
    • Like Earth, Mars has distinct seasons, but they last longer than seasons on Earth since Mars takes longer to orbit the Sun.
  • Red Planet: Mars looks reddish due to oxidation or rusting of iron in rocks, and dust of Mars.
  • Mars has a thin atmosphere made up mostly of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and argon gases.
  • Mars has no magnetic field, but certain areas of Martian crust in the southern hemisphere are highly magnetised, indicating traces of a magnetic field.
  • Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos, that may be captured asteroids.
  • Mars has the largest volcano in the solar system i.e., Olympus Mons. It is 3 times taller than Earth's Mt. Everest.

Martian Missions: 

  • The Soviet Union in 1971 became the first country to carry out a Mars landing, Mars-3. The second country to reach Mars’s surface is the USA. 
  • India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh by ISRO in 2013.

Reasons for fascination with Mars:

  • Mars has several Earth-like features– such as clouds, polar ice caps, volcanoes, and seasonal weather patterns. 
  • Life may have evolved on Mars in the past. Conditions on early Mars were very similar to that of Earth. It was once warm enough to allow water to flow through it. It had a thick atmosphere, which enabled stability of water on the surface of Mars. 
  • Mars is the only planet that humans can visit or inhabit in the long term. Mars is comparatively hospitable in terms of temperature, with an approximate range between 20 degrees Celsius at Equator to minus 125 degrees C at poles.

However, no human has set foot on Mars because the atmosphere on Mars is very thin, consisting of mostly carbon dioxide with no breathable oxygen, making it difficult for astronauts to survive there.  

Sequencing of 10,000 TB genome samples completed

Context: The Department of Biotechnology under the Ministry of Science and Technology has completed the genomic sequencing of 10,000 samples of the bacterium behind tuberculosis (TB).

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Data-Driven Research to Eradicate TB (Dare2eraD TB) Initiative; TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. 

Data-Driven Research to Eradicate TB (Dare2eraD TB) Initiative

  • Genome sequencing initiative to detect drug-resistant TB and capture unique features of the TB bacterium. 
  • Launched in: 2022
  • Target: Genome sequencing of 32,500 samples of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, across India. 
  • Aim: To improve the understanding of drug-resistant TB and capture unique genomic features of the bacterium in India.
  • Of the 10,000 samples sequenced as part of the DBT project, 7% were reportedly resistant to a single drug.
  • Nine labs of the DBT, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) are involved in the programme, as part of a consortium called Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance.

Significance:

  • Data-driven research to eradicate TB: Genomic dataset developed has potential to revolutionise TB diagnostics and drug resistance prediction:
    • Improve diagnostic accuracy 
    • Enable faster resistance profiling, 
    • Develop advanced tests  and reduce the time taken to confirm TB to from weeks to mere hours or days. 
    • Tailor treatment regimens to individual patient needs.
    • Reduce the risk of treatment failure or relapse.
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Key Status of Tuberculosis in India

  • India has the highest number of diagnosed TB cases globally. 
    • As per the latest estimates, India had 1,990 cases per million in 2022, down from 2,370 per million in 2015.
    • India accounts for about 28% of new TB cases worldwide. 
    • Those with ‘latent’ or asymptomatic TB could be potentially up to 3,000 per million.
  • India has the target to eradicate tuberculosis by 2025. This is five years ahead of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) target of 2030. 
  • In WHO parlance:
    • Eradicating a disease means bringing the number of cases close to zero. 
    • Eliminating TB means getting the number down to about one in a million.

TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan: 

  • The 100-day TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan started on December 7, 2024.
  • Under the campaign, over 13 lakh Nikshay Shivirs, or community screening and awareness camps were organised. 
  • Vital screening and diagnostic services to remote and underserved areas: using  handheld X-ray units and upfront Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAAT). 
  • 12.97 crore people were screened for TB, with over 7 lakh TB patients notified across India in the 100-day campaign.

Also Read: India to roll out new treatment regimen for drug-resistant TB 

With India accounting for a significant portion of the global TB burden, this breakthrough in genome sequencing is expected to bolster national and global efforts to combat the disease. 

China’s PLA deploys AI tool DeepSeek

Context: Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has initiated the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its military operations particularly in non-combat support roles.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims & Mains: Applications of AI in Defence. 

Applications of AI in Military Operations: 

  • AI in Military Healthcare: DeepSeek’s large language model (LLM) is being used in PLA hospitals, armed Police (PAP) and national defence mobilisation units to provide:
    • treatment plan suggestions to doctors.
    • healthcare of senior Chinese officials and military officers.
  • AI in Military Training: 
    • As a support tool to assist military commanders, rather than autonomously making battlefield decisions. 
    • Assisting in physical training programs, and exercise plan creation for paramilitary forces.
  • AI in Psychological Support: Psychological counseling to help soldiers cope with stress and anxiety.

Future Prospects:

  • Analysts predict that AI models like DeepSeek will soon be used for:
    • Battlefield intelligence gathering and surveillance.
    • Real-time data processing for enhanced situational awareness.
    • Improving combat strategy through predictive analysis and decision-making support.
  • PLA has already explored AI for drone swarm tactics, pilot training simulations, and combat scenario analysis.

Also Read: Use of Artificial Intelligence in Defence 

Advantages of DeepSeek:

  • Low-cost AI model: making it more accessible than competitors like ChatGPT.
  • Lower computational requirements: making it more scalable for military and civilian uses.
  • Indigenously built by China: ensures data security by storing and processing information on local servers, and reducing external cybersecurity threats.

Tavasya: India’s Advanced Indigenous Frigate launched

Context: Recently, Goa Shipyard Limited has launched Tavasya, an indigenous frigate boosting India's Naval power with advanced weaponry and stealth features. 

Relevance of the topic : Prelims : About Tavashya, INS Tushil, INS Tamal.

About Tavasya

  • Tavasya is a Krivak-class (Talwar-class) stealth frigate built domestically at Goa Shipyard Ltd.  (GSL) with technology transfer from Russia. 
  • It is the second locally-built frigate under the 2016 India-Russia defence cooperation under Project 1135.6 (Talwar-class) Follow-on Frigates. 
  • Key features:
    • Length: 124.8 metres
    • Maximum speed: 28 knots
    • Equipped to conduct offensive and defensive tasks. 
    • Designed for multi-role operations: naval warfare capabilities across air, surface, and sub-surface domains.  
    • Warship features stealth capabilities, new weapons, sensors, and platform management systems.  
Tavasya

What are Stealth Frigates ?

  • A frigate is a medium-sized warship used by the Navy for escorting larger vessels, patrolling, and combat operations.
  • A "stealth frigate" is designed with advanced stealth technology to minimise its radar cross-section and overall visibility to enemy detection systems, making it harder to detect by radar, visual, sonar, and infrared methods. 

Krivak-class Frigates: 

  • Krivak-class frigates are a series of multi-role warships originally designed by Russia. 
  • India operates its variant called the Talwar-class frigates, customised for the Indian Navy. 
  • In October 2016, under Project 1135.6 (Talwar-class) Follow-on Frigates, India and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement to procure four additional Krivak-class frigates.
    • Two were to be imported from Russia, while two were to be built in India at GSL, Goa under technology transfer. 
    • Built in Russia: INS Tushil (commissioned 2024), INS Tamal (to be commissioned in 2025)
    • Built in India: INS Triput (launched 2024), INS Tavasya (launched 2025). 

The achievement underscores India’s growing technological prowess in naval warfare and marks progress in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in warship construction.  

image 20

Strategic Importance 

  1. Strengthening India’s Naval Power – These stealth frigates enhance the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
  2. Push for Self-Reliance (Atma Nirbhar Bharat) – Technology transfer from Russia helps develop India's shipbuilding industry.
  3. India-Russia Defence Ties – Despite geopolitical shifts (Russia-Ukraine war, US sanctions on Russia), India continues its strong defence cooperation with Russia.
  4. Strategic Importance – The frigates are crucial for India’s maritime security, countering China’s presence in the Indo-Pacific

The launch of Tavasya is a defining moment in India’s naval history, showcasing our technological capabilities and unwavering commitment to self-reliance. The successful localization of these warships highlights India’s progress in Atma Nirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, reducing reliance on foreign defence imports and enhancing national security

AI Appu to tutor children in India

Context: Rocket Learning with support from Google.org, has introduced Appu, an AI tutor, for personalised learning for children.

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: AI - in education.

‘Appu’: AI in Early Childhood Education 

  • Developed by: Rocket Learning (a Bengaluru-based ed-tech non-profit), supported by Google.org (philanthropic arm of Google) 
  • Target audience: Children aged 3 to 6 years in India 
  • Grant amount: $1.5 million from Google.org
  • Expected reach: 
    • Aiming to reach 50 million families by 2030.
    • Integrated into government-run Anganwadi centres and pre-schools. 

Key Features:

  • Powered by Large Language Models (LLMs), Appu:
    • Recognises speech and tailors responses.
    • Adapts difficulty with hints, praise, or challenges.
    • Supports different learning styles through stories, play, and conversation.
  • Unlike passive screen-based learning, Appu is a voice-first experience, where children talk, explore, and learn—without staring at a screen.

Significance of AI in Early Education:

  • Personalised Learning: AI adapts to each child’s learning pace and needs.
  • Scalability: Can reach millions of children in rural and urban areas.
  • Bridging the AI Divide: Reduces digital inequality by making AI-based learning accessible.
  • Enhancing Cognitive Skills: Strengthens foundational literacy, numeracy, and logical reasoning. 

Vayu: AI-Based Cloud Solution

Context: Tata Communications  announced the launch of Vayu, an AI-powered cloud solution for enterprises.

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Vayu: AI-Based Cloud Solution. 

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Vayu: AI-Based Cloud Solution

  • Developed by: Tata Communications Limited 
  • Type: AI-based cloud solution 
  • Aim: To tackle rising cloud costs, multi-cloud complexities, and Al infrastructure demands. 

Key Features of Vayu Al Cloud:

  • Unified ecosystem: Guarantees seamless data accessibility across different environments (cloud to edge, data to AI, and security to connectivity) while maintaining data integrity. 
  • Provides Integrated services: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), GPU-as-a-service, AI platforms, security, cloud connectivity, and professional services. 
  • Provides on-demand access to high-performance NVIDIA GPUs (eliminating costly infrastructure investments) and enabling seamless Al model training, fine-tuning, and deployment at scale. 
  • Transparent pricing model: No data egress charges (for transferring data to the internet or another cloud provider) or other hidden fees. Reduces costs by 15-25% compared to large cloud service providers. 

Relevance for India's Digital Economy:

  • Supports businesses in the intelligent enterprise era by optimising AI workloads and cloud-based services.
  • Aligns with India's push for digital transformation, data localisation, and cost-efficient cloud adoption.
  • Enhances India's position in cloud computing and AI-driven business solutions, contributing to technological self-reliance. 

Genetically Modified (GM) Rubber

Context: Rubber farmers, under the aegis of NCRFRPS (National Consortium of Regional Federations of Rubber Producers Societies), have urged the Centre to allow the cultivation of GM rubber plants. 

The Central government has stated that the introduction of GM rubber plants is only possible after the State concerned gives permission to initiate confined field trials. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about GM crops; GM Rubber; Regulations related to GM crops.

What are GM crops?

  • Genetically Modified (GM) crops are plants that have had their DNA modified (altered) through genetic engineering.
    • It involves inserting new DNA into the genome of a plant. 
    • The seeds produced by these plants will inherit the new DNA.
  • E.g., BT cotton is a genetically modified variety of cotton that contains genes from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. 
image 83

Benefits of GM crops:

  • Genetic modification is done to transfer a particular trait to the plant in order to:
    • Increased the yield of a crop
    • Increased nutritional content of a crop
    • Developing resistance to:
      • Abiotic stresses like temperature, salinity or herbicide-resistant
      • Biotic stresses like insect-resistant crops.

Regulations related to GM crops: 

  • Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and their products are regulated under the “Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/ Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989.”
  • The rules are notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. These rules regulate the use, research, and commercialisation of GMOs, especially for environmental and biosafety concerns. 
  • The commercial cultivation and the field trials of GM crops require clearance from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 
  • After the GEAC clearance, the state governments have the power to approve (or reject) the field trains of particular GM crops in their respective states.

Status of GM crops in India:  

  • BT cotton is the only GM crop that is commercially allowed for cultivation in India from 2002. 
  • Field trials of GM Mustard (DMH-11) were approved by GEAC in 2022, but its commercial release is still pending. 

Genetically Modified (GM) Rubber:

  • The world's first GM rubber plant was planted in Assam in 2021. 
  • Developed at: Kerala-based Rubber Research Institute of India 
  • GM rubber has additional copies of the gene MnSOD (manganese-containing superoxide dismutase) inserted in the plant. The MnSOD gene is derived from the rubber plant itself.
    • Natural rubber is a native of warm humid Amazon forests, and is not naturally suited for the colder conditions in the Northeast.
    • This particular variety of GM Rubber is developed exclusively for the northeast to survive the severe cold conditions during winter.
    • The GM rubber plants overexpressed the MnSOD gene as expected, and thus offer protection to young saplings. 
  • There is no risk of genes flowing from the GM rubber into any other native species. 
  • After the approval from the state governments, the confined field trials of GM rubber plants were initiated in Assam in 2021, and Tripura in 2024.

Sonic Weapons

Context: The President of Serbia has denied that his police forces deployed a banned ‘sonic weapon’ to disperse protestors in the capital city, Belgrade. Serbia is currently witnessing mass anti-government protests against widespread corruption and nepotism.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Sonic Weapons.

Acoustic or Sonic Weapons: 

  • Acoustic or sonic weapons are devices that produce very loud sounds over long distances. They can be designed to emit painful audible or inaudible sound waves.
  • Working: Such weapons typically comprise hundreds of transducers — electrical devices that convert energy from one form to another — to create highly concentrated and amplified sound. 
  • Utility: 
    • Crowd dispersal weapon. In 2004, for the first time, the US military used speciality equipment capable of projecting loud sounds over vast distances in Iraq. 
    • Can be used as voice amplifiers to transmit voice messages or other sounds.

Damage: These weapons can cause significant harm to the eardrums and delicate organs of the ears and cause tinnitus (ringing sensation in ears) and hearing loss.

image 81

Different types of Sonic Weapons: 

  • Long-range acoustic devices (LRADs): It has a range of 8,900 metres for intelligible speech, and produces a highly directional beam of extremely loud sound which can reach up to 160 decibels (dB).
    • Sounds over 120 dB can cause permanent hearing damage from even short periods of exposure. Sounds over 140 dB are extremely painful. 
  • Infrasonic weapon: It delivers very low-frequency sounds that would be inaudible but could cause pain and disorientation. Experts are still investigating its capabilities.

Mosquito: This device produces very high-pitched sounds that are audible and painful to only younger people — usually teenagers and those in their twenties. It does not affect older people (30 and above). It is not audible to adults because hearing fades as one gets older.

NASA Astronauts return to Earth after 9 months

Context: American astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have returned to Earth onboard SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after the longest ever unscheduled stay in the International Space Station (ISS). They splashed down off the coast of Florida, US after a journey of 17 hours from the ISS.

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Boeing's CST-100 Starliner; SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft; International Space Station; Impacts of Space travel. 

image 75

Major Highlights

  • In June 2024, the NASA astronauts embarked on a mission to ISS, aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, initially planned for an eight-day duration.
  • The astronauts aimed to validate the capability of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner in taking crewed missions to the ISS.  However, Starliner spacecraft faced technical issues, and their stay was extended to approximately nine months (286 days).  

Causes of the delay

  • Technical Malfunctions: During the mission, Boeing Starliner spacecraft experienced several technical problems, including thruster malfunctions and Helium leaks in the thrusters. 
  • Alternative return vehicle: Given the unresolved technical issues with Starliner, NASA decided that the astronauts would return to Earth aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, scheduled for February 2025.
    • Crew Dragon is the only U.S. spacecraft capable of flying people in orbit (conducting crewed orbital flights). 
    • Boeing Starliner (also known as CST-100) is a spacecraft manufactured by Boeing under a contract with NASA's Commercial Crew Development program. It hoped to compete with the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. 

Astronauts with most days in Space: 

  • Russia's Oleg Kononenko has made five trips to space spending a total of 1111 days, on his last journey he returned to earth after 374 days.
  • Soviet Cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov holds the record- 438 days at the Mir space station between January 1994 and March 1995. 

Also Read: How does Space Travel affect the Health of an Astronaut? 

The impacts of being in space, especially for long periods of time, on the body are still being studied. Past studies showed that bone density and muscle quality deteriorated faster in space than on earth. Low gravity impacts brain fluids and may alter brain structure and increase risk of heart disease. 

Why does Lung Cancer Recur?

Context: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, mainly because it gets detected late. A team of Indian researchers has uncovered a genetic cause for the early relapse of a certain type of lung cancer in some patients.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Applications of genetic sequencing. Here- Identification of disease causing genes/mutated genes.

Lung Cancer

  • Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer, affecting both smokers and non-smokers.
  • India’s Lung Cancer Burden (WHO 2022 Data):
    • New Cases: 81,748
    • Deaths: 75,031
Lung Cancer

Major Highlights:

  • Patients with Lung adenocarcinoma carry a specific mutation in the Epidermal Growth Receptor Factor (EGFR) gene.
    • They are treated with targeted drugs called “EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors” that suppress the unusual growth of the cancerous cells.
    • However, cancer eventually relapses in some patients owing to resistance to these therapies.
  • Latest Research: When mutation in Tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) co-occurs along with EGFR mutation, it is associated with early relapse of cancer.
    • The researchers performed detailed genetic sequencing on tumor samples. 
    • They identified a group of 17 TSGs, a mutation in which results in resistance to EGFR-targeted treatments. This causes a relapse of cancer and lower survival rates.

Significance: 

  • The identification of the associated TSGs (genes) will help detect TSG mutations early in patients, and thus treatments can be tailored effectively. This can help delay or even prevent early relapse of lung cancer. 

ISRO undocks SpaDex satellites in first attempt

Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully accomplished the pivotal operation of undocking of SpaDex satellites in the very first attempt on March 13, 2025. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: About Space Docking Experiment (SpaDex);  Space Docking & Undocking. 

SpaDex Undocking

image 60
  • Undocking:
    • The undocking process culminated in the separation of the SDX-01 (Chaser) and SDX-02 (Target) satellites, which were launched on December 30, 2024, using Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C60 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
    • Earlier, these two satellites were successfully docked (joined together) in January.
    • The undocking operation was conducted in a 460 km circular orbit with a 45-degree inclination.
  • Satellite Status: Post-undocking, the satellites are orbiting independently, and their health remains normal. The operations were monitored through ground stations located in Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Mauritius.

Significance:

  • Successful completion of both docking and undocking makes India the fourth country in the world — after the United States, Russia, and China — to have this capability.
  • It paves the way for smooth conduct of ambitious future missions including the Bharatiya Antriksha Station, Chandrayaan 4 and Gaganyaan.

Also Read: ISRO achieves Space Docking: SpaDeX Mission 

India's Data Center capacity to surge to 2 GW by 2027: ICRA

Context: ICRA Limited, Indian Credit Rating firm, has forecasted that India’s data center operational capacity will go up to 2,000-2,100 MW by March 2027, from over 1,150 MW in December 2024. This would require an investment of ₹40,000-45,000 crore in the next two years. 

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: India’s Computing & AI infrastructure- Data centers; Government Initiatives

What are Data Centers?

  • Data centers are highly specialised facilities designed to house computing systems and their related components, such as, physical hardware, servers, networking equipment and storage systems. 
  • Utility: 
    • Process, store, and distribute data for various applications and services, such as websites, cloud computing, and enterprise operations.
    • Empower organisations to handle large volumes of data securely and efficiently, and enable cloud computing to function seamlessly.
image 52

Potential of Data Centers in India:

  • India aims to become a global hub for AI innovation and data center development. 
  • Current capacity: 
    • India's data center capacity is approximately 1,255 MW at present (March 2025).
    • India holds 20% of global data but only 3% of data center capacity.
  • Expansion potential of data center in future, due to:
    • Increasing digitalisation and data consumption. 
    • Rise in demand for AI and generative AI projects.
    • Nationwide roll-out of 5G. 
    • Need for edge computing to allow data processing on devices.
    • Data localisation initiatives (store data within National borders).  
  • Concentration of data center in India: 
    • About 95% of the existing data center capacity is in metros cities (Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad). 
    • Mumbai has >50% of current capacity due to its central location, reliable power and cable landing stations. 

Government Initiatives in this Regard

1. Data Localisation Rules: India’s laws mandate that certain data be stored locally, such as:

  • Reserve Bank of India's Directive (2018) mandates payment system providers to store entire payment data (transaction details, customer information and related data) within India. 
  • IRDAI (Maintenance of Insurance Records) Regulation, 2015 requires covered organisations to store insurance data within India.
  • The draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules focus on targeted data localisation, addressing children's online age verification challenges, and data protection.
    • Digital Personal Data Protection Act permits cross-border data transfers to all countries, unless restricted by the Central Government by notification.

2. Digital India Mission:

  • Digital India campaign launched in 2015, aims at the development of secure and stable digital infrastructure (including data centers), delivering government services digitally, and universal digital literacy.

3. IndiaAI Mission:

  • The Rs 10,370 croreIndiaAI Mission aims to:
    • establish a computing capacity of more than 10,000 GPUs.
    • help develop foundational models with a capacity of more than 100 billion parameters trained on datasets covering major Indian languages for priority sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and governance. 
  • The idea is that if such an infrastructure exists in the country, start-ups could plug into it for developing AI systems. 
  • Of the total outlay, Rs 4,564 crore has been earmarked for building computing infrastructure. 

Generative AI-led high computing requirements present a new wave of demand for data center capacity. Favourable regulatory policies coupled with an infrastructure status for the data center sector would support strong growth prospects in India. 

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