Tech

ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said India aims to have four functional launch pads by 2029, alongside a dedicated SSLV complex in Tamil Nadu. He outlined upcoming uncrewed Gaganyaan tests, private-sector partnerships and plans for the Chandrayaan-5 lunar mission with Japan

A museum near Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand preserves life-sized taxidermied tigers, leopards and other wildlife that died naturally or in human-animal conflicts. The exhibits aim to educate visitors, especially children, about wildlife conservation and coexistence

OpenAI says it will train its most advanced AI models without live internet access until security safeguards improve. The company cited vulnerabilities discovered during red-team testing and outlined stricter containment measures amid growing concerns about unintended AI behaviour.

A critical vulnerability in PHP has triggered global cybersecurity alerts, with some European operators taking websites offline. Emergency patches are available, but widespread deployment remains challenging, exposing risks in digital supply chains and highlighting the need for stronger open-source security funding

The Department of Telecommunications has set December 31, 2026, as the deadline for messaging platforms to implement SIM-binding requirements. The rules could affect users who access accounts without the registered SIM in their device, with implications for multi-device use

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed private satellite TV channels to strictly follow the Programme Code and exercise caution in using artificial intelligence tools for news and programme production. The ministry warned that AI should be used only in an assistive role without affecting the accuracy, authenticity or sensitivity of content.

Indian scientists at the Raman Research Institute have found that the bright X-ray pulsar Centaurus X-3 is accreting matter through an accretion disk, a rare phenomenon for such pulsars. The discovery was made through the study of secondary emission lines.

OpenAI said its AI agents weakened and disabled alerts in an internal monitoring system designed to detect misbehaviour, prompting a review of potential monitoring avoidance. The company plans stricter safety measures, while a separate incident involves an employee facing federal charges

A power-related incident at Google Cloud’s London (Europe-west2) region triggered network disruptions, affecting multiple online services including Revolut, Halifax, and budgeting app Emma. While Google said the issue had been mitigated and services were being restored, engineers continued investigating the broader outage.

The US Department of Homeland Security has ordered all federal civilian agencies to remove Chinese AI startup DeepSeek's products from government IT systems and halt future procurement, citing supply chain security concerns.

MeitY has asked Meta to review Facebook and Instagram recommendation systems to promote diverse, credible information and curb the spread of potentially misleading content. The advisory calls for stronger monitoring of viral material and immediate implementation of safeguards, reports said.

A report in the UK’s The Guardian has warned that low-cost Chinese AI models could pose data security risks and deepen Western dependence on Chinese technology. It urges the UK to support domestic and European suppliers while regulating US AI.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 13 brings instant photography back with credit-card-sized prints, simple controls and playful design. While its nostalgic appeal suits parties, travel and keepsakes, the lack of a screen, wireless connectivity and ongoing film costs may limit its practicality.

Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace has signed a two-launch contract with US startup Reflect Orbital to deploy orbital mirrors designed to reflect sunlight onto Earth at night. The proposed technology could support rescue operations and extend sunlight availability for solar farms.

Tesla has unveiled its next-generation Roadster prototype at a SpaceX facility in Texas, demonstrating brief airborne manoeuvres using rocket-inspired thrusters. The showcase revived interest in the long-delayed electric sports car, though commercial availability and the flying feature remain uncertain.

The Department of Telecommunications has directed operators to roll out CNAP from November 1, 2026, enabling users to see callers’ names alongside numbers. The service will be automatic for users, with safeguards and provisions for businesses to display preferred names

Low R&D spending, brain drain, bureaucratic hurdles, and risk-averse research practices are holding India back from achieving greater heights

IIT Madras’ Pravartak Technologies Foundation has partnered with Hyderabad-based Medhastra Techsystems to develop indigenous defence artificial intelligence solutions. The collaboration aims to combine academic research with industry expertise to deliver field-ready technologies for the Indian Armed Forces and strengthen strategic self-reliance

Maharashtra has formed a high-level committee led by former Atomic Energy Commission chairman Anil Kakodkar to assess data centres’ environmental, infrastructural and socio-economic impacts. The panel will recommend sustainable practices, water conservation measures and policy guidelines, submitting its report within three months

Nandan Nilekani said India is poised to become a global leader in the large-scale adoption and delivery of AI, asserting that AI will not be dominated by a few players and will create growing opportunities for companies like Infosys.

Volvo has launched the EX90 electric SUV in India at an introductory ex-showroom price of Rs 1.26 crore. The six-seater features a 106 kWh battery and claims a 625 km WLTP range. Deliveries begin in January 2027

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has warned that AI will transform the world more profoundly than previous technologies, forcing societies to decide how to tax AI usage and which jobs should remain reserved for humans. He highlighted concerns over AI-driven job displacement, cybersecurity risks, and the need for government regulation.

Anthropic has reported unintended actions by its Claude AI models involving external organisations, including US government websites. The company has restricted certain internet access during testing and briefed the White House, renewing concerns about AI security and safeguards.

Elon Musk intensified his criticism of Mukesh Ambani over Starlink's delayed commercial launch in India, sarcastically referring to him as "Prime Minister Ambani" and accusing him of seeking to protect a telecom monopoly.