Ministry of Science and Technology

July 3, 2026 4:54 PM

Scientists accurately date Bihar’s Munger banyan at around 700 years, making it the oldest scientifically dated banyan tree

A banyan tree in Bihar's Munger district has been identified as the world's oldest accurately dated banyan tree, with scientists estimating its age at around 700 years using high-precision radiocarbon dating, marking a major breakthrough in the scientific dating of tropical heritage trees. The study, published in the journal Quaternary Research, establishes the age of the Ficus benghalensis tree through scientific evidence rather than relying on folklore, historical records or local traditions ...

June 26, 2026 3:43 PM

AI, Quantum, Space and Nuclear technologies will shape India’s future growth: Jitendra Singh

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, on Friday said that Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum technology, space and nuclear energy will define the next phase of India's economic growth, technological leadership and global competitiveness, asserting that the country is rapidly emerging as a major force in frontier technologies. Speaking during a fireside conversation at a media conclave in New Delhi, the Minister said India is progressing ...

May 26, 2026 1:33 PM

Ancient wildfires in Gondwana forests shaped Earth’s climate, Indian study finds

Researchers have uncovered molecular evidence of massive wildfires that swept through ancient Gondwana forests nearly 250 million years ago, offering fresh insights into Earth’s past climate, vegetation patterns and coal-forming environments. The study, conducted by scientists at the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, used advanced molecular techniques to analyse coal-bearing sediments from the Godavari Valley Coalfield and reconstruct palaeofire events dating back to the Permian perio...

May 22, 2026 10:46 AM

Jitendra Singh dedicates UMMID programme to nation, says precision medicine is future of healthcare

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh on Thursday dedicated the UMMID (Unique Methods of Management of Inherited Disorders) Programme for Rare Genetic Disorders to the nation, asserting that genomic and precision medicine will shape the future of healthcare in India. Speaking at a special event organised by the Department of Biotechnology at Prithvi Bhawan in New Delhi, Singh said India is steadily moving towards an era where healthcare, di...

May 21, 2026 1:14 PM

New study offers clues to mystery behind extreme heat of Sun’s Corona

Scientists from Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) Nainital, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi have developed a new method to detect hidden turbulence in the Sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, potentially helping solve one of solar physics’ biggest mysteries - why the corona is far hotter than the Sun’s visible surface. The study, recently published in The Astrophysical Jou...

May 21, 2026 12:05 PM

India, US discuss expanding cooperation in biotech, quantum technology and space sectors

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Wednesday held discussions with U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on expanding bilateral collaboration in key emerging sectors including biotechnology, quantum technologies, space, atomic energy, and nuclear medicine. The meeting focused on strengthening India-U.S. cooperation through investment, skilling, knowledge exchange, research partnerships, and industry-led collaborations in advanced technologies. During the discussions, Singh highlighted a major ...

May 6, 2026 10:10 AM

India’s defence production surges 174% in a decade, exports rise 34-fold: Jitendra Singh

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Tuesday said India’s defence sector has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade, driven by technology, indigenous innovation and increased private sector participation. Addressing the North Tech Symposium 2026 in Prayagraj, Singh highlighted that defence production has reached ₹1.54 lakh crore, marking a 174 per cent increase in ten years. Defence exports, he added, have grown 34 times to ₹23,622 crore during the same period, reflec...

April 28, 2026 7:14 PM

Indian scientists develop smart oxide that stores energy and shows charge level through colour change

Scientists from Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru have developed a novel smart material that can both store energy and visually indicate its charge level by changing colour, marking a significant breakthrough in next-generation energy storage technology. The research team, led by Ashutosh Kumar Singh, has created an oxygen-deficient bimetallic oxide composed of molybdenum and tungsten. The material uniquely overcomes a long-standing limitation in electronics, where devi...

April 28, 2026 7:12 PM

Jitendra Singh lays foundation for Rs 75 crore new facility at Indian Institute of Astrophysics

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for a ₹75 crore state-of-the-art additional building at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics in Bengaluru, marking a significant step toward strengthening India’s capabilities in astronomy and space science. The upcoming seven-storey facility, with a built-up area of nearly one lakh square feet, is expected to serve as a key scientific hub, supporting advanced research, modern laboratories, classrooms, and conference inf...

April 10, 2026 9:26 PM

Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor milestone boosts India’s energy security vision: Jitendra Singh

India’s push towards self-reliant and sustainable energy received a major boost with the progress of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Friday, highlighting it as a key milestone in the country’s long-term energy strategy. Speaking at VAKTAVYA 2026 hosted by Hindu College, the Minister underscored the significance of the indigenously developed reactor, noting that it uses plutonium fuel and liquid sodium coolant to generate higher energy out...