Indigenous Integrated Life Support System (ILSS)

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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced the successful high-altitude trial of an indigenous integrated life support system (ILSS) for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.

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The trial was carried out by the Bengaluru-based Defence Bio-Engineering & Electro Medical Laboratory (DEBEL) under DRDO.

• DEBEL carries out Research & Development in bioengineering and electromedical technology related to defence.

The On-Board Oxygen Generating System-based (OBOGS) ILSS is designed to generate and manage breathable oxygen for aircrew during flight.

The ILSS was flown in the LCA-PV-3 aircraft of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited/ Aeronautical Development Agency.

Performance parameters of the ILSS demands breathing, availability of 100% O2, aerobatic manoeuvres at required altitudes for full functional testing were conducted after obtaining flight clearance from the Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC).

This new technology will eliminate the need for a traditional liquid oxygen cylinder-based system.

The system was manufactured by Larsen and Toubro as the development-cum-production partner and constitutes 90% indigenous content. 

Apart from the OBOGS, the ILSS has 10 other line replaceable units which enable the continuous real-time generation of breathing oxygen for pilots during the flight.

Fiscal Support Agreement (FSA) for Semiconductor

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Recently, a Fiscal Support Agreement (FSA) was signed for India's first commercial semiconductor fabrication facility/plant (fab) in Dholera, Gujarat. 

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The agreement was signed between the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL), and Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Private Limited (TSMPL).

This semiconductor fab commands a total investment of over ₹91,000 crore with a capacity of 50,000 wafers starts per month (WSPM). 

• WSPM measure the output of a semiconductor wafer plant.

The agreement brings Taiwan's Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) expertise to India, creating a powerful technological alliance.

Significance

• The agreement strengthens India's technological self-reliance under the modified program for the semiconductor & display manufacturing ecosystem in India.
• The Fiscal Support Agreement (FSA) is on the lines of the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of manufacturing ‘Chips for Viksit Bharat.’

The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)

• ISM was launched in 2021 under the purview of the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY).
• ISM aims to build a sustainable semiconductor and display ecosystem that will position India as a leader in electronics manufacturing and design.

‘Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados’ Award

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Recently, the Prime Minister of India received the Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados Award.

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• Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita received the award on behalf of the Prime Minister of India.
• The award was conferred for PM’s exemplary work during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• The award was announced during PM Modi’s visit to Guyana in November 2024 for the CARICOM summit.

List of the key awards received by the Prime Minister of India 

• Sash of King Abdulaziz by Saudi Arabia in April 2016 
• State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan by Afghanistan in June 2016 
• Grand Collar of the State of Palestine by Palestine in February 2018 
• UN Champion of the Earth Award by the United Nations in October 2018 
• Order of Zayed by UAE in 2019 
• Order of St. Andrew by Russia in 2019 
• Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin by the Maldives in June 2019 
• King Hamad Order of the Renaissance by Bahrain in August 2019 
• Legion of Merit by the United States in December 2020 
• Order of the Dragon King by Bhutan in December 2021 
• Order of Fiji by Fiji in May 2023 
• Order of Logohu by Papua New Guinea in May 2023 
• Order of the Nile by Egypt in June 2023
• Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour by France in July 2023 
• Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by Greece in August 2023 
• Order of the Niger by Nigeria in November 2024
• Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer by Kuwait in December 2024 

AI Kosha

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The Ministry for Electronics & Information Technology launched AI Kosha

under the IndiaAI Mission.

About Al Kosha

• AI Kosha is a secured platform that provides a repository of datasets, models and use cases to enable AI innovation. 
• AI Kosha is a platform for India’s talented researchers, entrepreneurs and Startups providing them the right compute, datasets, tools and secure sandbox environment to build state-of-the-art AI applications and solutions. 
• AI Kosha will host over 300 datasets and over 80 models, fostering the development of diverse and unbiased AI solutions. 
• The platform is equipped with features like content discoverability, AI readiness scoring of datasets, permission-based access & security mechanisms like data encryption at rest and in motion, secure API, and firewalls for real-time filtering of malicious traffic.

About the IndiaAI Mission 

It was launched by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology on March 7, 2024, to strengthen India's AI ecosystem and position the country as a global leader in AI innovation and technology.

The mission drives responsible and inclusive growth of India's AI ecosystem through the following seven pillars – 

1. IndiaAI Compute Capacity

2. IndiaAI Innovation Centre

3. IndiaAI Datasets Platform

4. IndiaAI Application Development Initiative

5. IndiaAI FutureSkills

6. IndiaAI Startup Financing

7. Safe & Trusted AI