Important Achievements of Science in the Year 2024

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The year 2024 has been a major year in the scientific progress of India. Along with the Solar Mission and Spadex Mission, the National Science Award was awarded for the first time. Also, National Space Science Day was also organized for the first time.

Solar Mission: Aditya L-1

• In early 2024, ISRO put the Aditya L-1 mission into the designated orbit. This mission is the Indian Solar Observatory located at the Lagrangian point L-1. It was sent into space on September 2, 2023.
• This is India's first mission aimed at understanding the activities of the Sun. The study of solar flares and magnetic effects is important in this.

Exposat, RLV Pushpak and GSAT N-2

• The purpose of Exposat sent into space by ISRO in January 2024 was to unravel the mysteries of 'black holes'.
• In the last week of June 2024, ISRO successfully tested the reusable launch vehicle RLV Pushpak for the third time in a row.
• In November, ISRO successfully sent the GSAT N-2 communication satellite into space for the first time with the help of a private company. This modern communication satellite will expand broadband services.

First Analog Space Mission:

• ISRO has launched the country's first analog space mission in Leh, Ladakh. Its objective is to simulate interplanetary habitat conditions. For this, astronauts will be trained here.
• This mission is designed to simulate extreme conditions on Mars and Moon so that India can enhance its human space flight capabilities.

Preparations for Gaganyaan:

A series of tests were prepared as part of the preparations for the human mission Gaganyaan Mission in the year 2024. This mission will depart on a space journey in April next year under the joint flight of ISRO-NASA.

Mission Mausam:

• Mission Mausam was approved by the Union Cabinet on September 11, 2024 with a budget allocation of Rs 2,000 crore in two years. Its objective is to collect information related to the weather and climate of the earth.
• Its objective is to make the country 'climate ready' and 'climate smart'. The major components of this mission are-
  • Development of Advanced Earth System Model
  • GIS-based Automated Decision Support System for Real Time Data Sharing
  • Deployment of Next Generation Radar and Satellite Systems with Advanced Sensors

One Nation One Subscription

• The Union Cabinet has approved the One Nation One Subscription scheme.
• Its objective is to create a common platform of integrated and accessible digital resources for students, teachers and researchers of academic and research institutions in India.
• Under this, they will be able to use all major research journals, educational databases and digital content under a single subscription, which will accelerate educational activities and help make Indian research institutions globally competitive.

Test of Agnibaan Sorted:

• On May 30, 2024, Chennai-based space startup company Agnikul Cosmos successfully tested its first sub-orbital or sub-orbital technology demonstrator.
• The key features of the Agnibaan rocket include 3-D printed semi cryogenic engine, modular design, low cost and use of indigenous technology etc.

First National Space Science Day:

• For the first time in the year 2024, the first National Space Science Day was celebrated on 23 August. On this historic day in the year 2023, India's Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed on the south pole of the Moon. 
• Its objective is to spread awareness and enthusiasm among the common people about India's glorious space journey.

Country's first underwater metro line

• In March 2024, the country's first underwater metro line was launched in Kolkata. With this, the 105-year-old goal of tunnel construction and metro train operation in the Hooghly River was accomplished.

Bio E-3 policy approved:

• India's bio economy was approved in the year 2024, which is called Bio-3 in short. Bio E-3 promises to promote economy, employment and environment commitment in the economy.
  • Bio E-3 policy encourages entrepreneurship in various sectors and outlines the vision of developed India.

Param Rudra Supercomputer:

• On September 26, 2024, three Param Rudra supercomputers developed in the country were dedicated to the nation. They have been developed under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM). 
  • This mission was started in the year 2015.
• These supercomputers will be installed in New Delhi, Kolkata and Pune.
  • The supercomputer installed in Delhi will be used for research in fields like material science and nuclear physics.
  • The supercomputer installed in Pune is planned to be used for the study of Giant Meter Radio Telescope (GMRT), Fast Radio Burst (FRB) and other astronomical events.
  • Advanced research work will be promoted in fields like physics, cosmology and earth science in Kolkata.

New Earth Science Scheme approved:

• In January 2024, the Central Government approved the 'Earth Science Scheme' which focuses on increasing understanding about the science of Earth systems and climate change.
• Its objective is to conduct long-term observations of the atmosphere, ocean, lithosphere, cryosphere and solid part of the Earth to record important signals of earth systems and change.

New species of ant in Arunachal:

• A new species of ant has been found in the Siang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh. This species has been given the scientific name Paraparatrechina blue. A new species of ant has been discovered in Arunachal Pradesh after 121 years.
• The reason for the blue color of this ant is not pigment but biological photonic nano structure. This color can play an important role in communication.

First country to make a list of fauna:

• In the year 2024, India has become the first country to make a list of all the fauna of its country. About one lakh species have been included in this list.
• In the document edited by India, 121 lists of known species of animals have been prepared. Apart from this, endangered animals have also been included in this list.

India moving ahead in the field of semiconductor chips:

• The seminar organized on the topic 'Shaping the Semiconductor Future' in Greater Noida in September 2024 was aimed at providing impetus to the semiconductor industry in the country.
• Plants are being set up by the government in Sanand and Dholera in Gujarat and Morigaon in Assam to manufacture semiconductor chips in the country.
  • Production is expected to start from these in the year 2025.

National Hindi Science Conference

• In July 2024, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) organized the National Hindi Science Conference in Bhopal for the first time in collaboration with five institutions. Its main objective was to promote the writing of science research papers in Hindi.

National Science Awards for the first time

• The National Science Awards were awarded for the first time in India in the year 2024. It was established in the year 2023. 33 scientists were selected for this award given in four categories. The first Vigyan Ratna Award was given to renowned biochemist Professor G. Padmanabhan.

First flight test of cruise missile:

• In November 2024, the first flight test of India's long-range land attack cruise missile equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and software was successfully conducted. It has been developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment of DRDO.

'One Week One Laboratory' Campaign

• During the year 2024 also, the 'One Week One Laboratory' campaign of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research 'CSIR' continued. It was started in January 2023.
• Its main objective is to familiarize the general public and students with the role and achievements of CSIR laboratories in the progress and development of the country.

Science Festival 'IISF' completes ten years

• In the year 2024, India's largest science festival 'IISF' completed ten years. The tenth edition of Science Festival was organized in Guwahati in the Northeast region. Its main theme was 'Transforming India into a global manufacturing hub inspired by science and technology'.
• International Science Festival has become a platform that provides an opportunity for scientists and common people to meet as well as share scientific ideas and new research.

Diamond Jubilee Year of Science Reporter Magazine:

• In the year 2024, sixty years of publication of the English language science magazine 'Science Reporter' were completed and Diamond Jubilee was celebrated. The first issue of this magazine was published in the year 1964.