Science & Technology Current Affairs

On March 20, 2026, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) launched 'Samadhan', India's first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered system designed to streamline and expedite the redressal of public grievances. This innovative platform integrates advanced AI algorithms, including Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning, to analyze incoming grievances, categorize them accurately, and route them to the appropriate government departments for swift resolution. 'Samadhan' aims to reduce the average grievance resolution time significantly by identifying patterns, predicting potential bottlenecks, and suggesting optimal solutions. The system can also proactively identify emerging issues by analyzing trends in public complaints. During its pilot phase, 'Samadhan' demonstrated a 30% reduction in the average resolution time for grievances related to land records and pensionDisputes. The system is integrated with the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) and will be accessible to citizens across all states and union territories. The launch of 'Samadhan' is a significant step towards leveraging technology for improved governance and citizen-centric service delivery, aligning with the government's vision of 'Digital India'. The DARPG anticipates that this AI-powered approach will enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the public grievance redressal mechanism.

As of March 25, 2026, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed the Crewed Flight Readiness Review (CFRR) for its ambitious Gaganyaan mission, the first Indian human spaceflight program. This critical review signifies that all systems and procedures are deemed ready for the upcoming uncrewed test flights and, subsequently, the crewed mission. The CFRR involved a comprehensive assessment of the launch vehicle (LVM3), the crew module, the service module, life support systems, crew escape system, and all ground support infrastructure. ISRO officials confirmed that the review addressed all potential risks and mitigation strategies, ensuring the highest safety standards for the astronauts. The Gaganyaan mission aims to carry three Indian astronauts into orbit for a three-day mission, demonstrating India's capability to conduct human spaceflight. The mission is also intended to foster scientific research and international collaboration in space exploration. The successful completion of the CFRR is a testament to years of rigorous development and testing by ISRO scientists and engineers. The next steps involve the launch of the first uncrewed test flight, followed by a second uncrewed flight with a humanoid robot named 'Vyommitra', before the final crewed mission. This milestone is crucial for India's aspirations to become a major player in human space exploration and to inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers.

On March 28, 2026, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), announced a significant breakthrough in India's indigenous quantum computing efforts. Their indigenously developed quantum computer, codenamed 'Shakti', has successfully performed complex calculations related to material science simulations, a critical step towards realizing practical quantum applications. The 'Shakti' processor, based on superconducting qubits, has demonstrated a coherence time exceeding 100 microseconds, a notable achievement for a system developed outside of established global players. This advancement is crucial for overcoming decoherence, a major challenge in quantum computing where quantum states are lost due to environmental interference. The simulations performed by 'Shakti' are expected to accelerate the discovery of new catalysts for industrial processes and novel materials for energy storage. This development positions India among a select group of nations capable of building and operating advanced quantum computing hardware. The project, funded by the National Quantum Mission, aims to foster a robust quantum ecosystem in India, encompassing hardware, software, and algorithms. Experts believe this milestone will pave the way for advancements in drug discovery, financial modeling, and cryptography, while also enhancing national security capabilities. The IISc team emphasized that while 'Shakti' is still in its early stages, its performance metrics are competitive with early-stage quantum computers developed by leading international research institutions. The next phase of development will focus on increasing the number of qubits and improving error correction mechanisms.