IT & Emerging Tech (Science & Technology).
Syllabus: UPSC Pre GS1: General Science; Mains GS3: S&T developments
Semiconductors for UPSC: what a chip is, design-fab-packaging chain, Taiwan, India Semiconductor Mission, Dholera, Sanand, Jewar plants.
Quantum computing for UPSC: qubits, superposition, entanglement, quantum supremacy, uses, quantum key distribution and the National Quantum Mission.
Cyber security for UPSC: malware, ransomware, phishing and APTs, IT Act 2000, CERT-In 6-hour rule, NCIIPC, I4C, DPDP Act, digital arrest scams,…
Artificial intelligence for UPSC: machine learning, deep learning and generative AI, uses in health, farming and governance, risks, rules, IndiaAI Mission.
On 8 October 2026 the Department of Telecommunications rejected a social media claim that satellite internet licensing is discriminatory. Three licences for Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite services using non-geostationary satellites have been issued; all three are going through security assessment, after which each can seek spectrum.
UPSC angle: Prelims: satcom terms. · Mains GS-III: communication infrastructure, security.
8 Oct 2026
A PIB backgrounder says the National Supercomputing Mission, launched in April 2015, had deployed 40 supercomputers with a combined 68 petaflops by September 2026, including 13 above 1 petaflop. The target is 50 systems above 123 petaflops. India now makes its own Rudra servers, interconnects, cooling and system software.
UPSC angle: Prelims: NSM facts, PARAM. · Mains GS-III: indigenisation of technology.
4 Oct 2026
QNu Labs, with BISAG-N and IIT Gandhinagar, demonstrated India's first free-space quantum key distribution (QKD) link over 5.56 km on the night of 27-28 September 2026. The quantum bit error rate stayed below 5 per cent and secure keys were made at 230-260 bps, then used with BISAG-N's Vedic Kavach post-quantum cryptography platform.
UPSC angle: Prelims: QKD vs post-quantum cryptography; free-space vs fibre.
3 Oct 2026
On 25 September 2026 TRAI launched the Digital Connectivity Rating (DCR) Platform and a mobile app. Property managers apply for a rating, registered rating agencies test the building, and anyone can search rated properties and verify the certificate by QR code before buying or renting.
UPSC angle: Prelims: TRAI's 2024 property-rating regulations; DCRA.
25 Sep 2026
On 22 September 2026 TRAI released the Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026. Operators must now offer voice-and-SMS-only Special Tariff Vouchers, at a lower tariff, for each validity of thirty days and less that they offer for data packs, so low-income users who do not need data can recharge cheaply.
UPSC angle: Prelims: TRAI as regulator; STV meaning.
22 Sep 2026
On 17 September 2026, at SEMICON India 2026, the IT Minister said Semicon 2.0 has drawn investment commitments of about ₹1 lakh crore (USD 11 to 12 billion), with close to 1 lakh jobs expected. Semicon 1.0 laid the foundation; Semicon 2.0 will build the whole ecosystem through six pillars, from chip design to training 1 lakh technicians.
UPSC angle: Mains: Moving from assembly to design: can India build a full semiconductor value chain?
17 Sep 2026