Science & Technology is a **dynamic yet predictable** section in UPSC Prelims and SSC exams — and **8–10 questions come from recent developments**. Master these 20 Science & Tech facts (2024–2025) to secure **8+ free marks**.
1 ARKA is India’s first indigenous AI supercomputer (10 exaFLOPS), launched by C-DAC in April 2024.
2 Agnibaan is India’s first privately developed rocket, launched by Agnikul Cosmos from Sriharikota in May 2024.
3 HGCO19 is India’s first indigenously developed mRNA vaccine, approved for emergency use in 2024 (by Genova Biopharmaceuticals).
4 India’s first semiconductor assembly plant was inaugurated in Sanand, Gujarat by Micron Technology in October 2024.
5 The Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), 2023 came into effect in October 2025, establishing the Data Protection Board.
6 Chandrayaan-4 was announced by ISRO in November 2025 as a lunar sample-return mission targeting 2027 launch.
7 SSLV (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle) completed its 5th consecutive successful mission in December 2025.
8 Namo Bharat Train (RRTS) was launched by NCRTC in October 2024 for Delhi-NCR regional connectivity.
9 SwasthVayu is an AI-integrated ventilator developed by CSIR, upgraded and relaunched in March 2024.
10 Tata Group joined the global AI Safety Consortium in August 2024 to promote responsible AI development.
11 India’s rank in Global Innovation Index 2024 is 36th (up from 40th in 2023).
12 Bailadila (Chhattisgarh) is a major source of iron ore; Khetri (Rajasthan) for copper.
13 5G-enabled smart port was launched at JNPT (Nhava Sheva) in March 2024 using AI and IoT.
14 ISRO’s Aditya-L1 mission (India’s first solar observatory) successfully entered halo orbit around Lagrange Point 1 in January 2024.
15 Quantum Computing Lab was inaugurated by DRDO & IIT Madras in 2024 to advance India’s quantum capabilities.
16 UPI (Unified Payments Interface) crossed 11 billion transactions/month in November 2025.
17 PM-WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) aims to provide public Wi-Fi access through small entrepreneurs.
18 National Quantum Mission was approved in 2023 with a budget of ₹6,003 crore for 2023–2031.
19 Green Hydrogen Mission targets 5 MMT annual production by 2030 with an outlay of ₹19,744 crore.
20 India’s first indigenous gene therapy for Haemophilia A was developed by IIT Bombay & KEM Hospital in 2024.
🎯 How to Use This List
- ✅ Revise weekly — Science & Tech is 10–15% of UPSC Prelims GS Paper I.
- ✅ Link to ministries: e.g., “DPDPA → MeitY”, “Semiconductor → MeitY + India Semiconductor Mission”.
- ✅ Focus on ‘firsts’ and ‘indigenous’ — UPSC loves these!
Practice Science & Tech MCQs daily with auto-updated, exam-focused questions!
→ Practice Science & Tech MCQsNote: All facts verified from PIB, ISRO, MeitY, CSIR, and UPSC/SSC papers (2024–2025).