Tata Electronics Pvt. is preparing to manufacture the first large-scale semiconductor wafers in India, utilizing a 90-nanometer process technology, which is older than initially planned. This change highlights the difficulties the country faces in attempting to build a domestic microelectronics industry from scratch.
The technology division of the large Tata conglomerate is preparing to build the country's first large-scale chip manufacturing plant, which will primarily be based on 90nm process technology at the Dholera facility in Gujarat, Western India. Sources familiar with the matter reported that this approach differs from initial plans, which called for the use of 28nm technology.
Using such mature technology, applied in low-end industrial applications and automotive sectors, carries the risk of obsolescence in the coming years. Furthermore, it represents a more modest start compared to the 28nm node that Tata Sons Pvt., the group's holding company, advertised in its annual report for the year ending March 2025.
According to sources, Tata's public ambitions may have overstated short-term capabilities. The company has partnered with Taiwanese Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. for its chip manufacturing debut. A representative of Tata Electronics stated that the Dholera plant will produce chips ranging from 28nm to 110nm. He clarified that the initial plan was to start with 55nm and 90nm, followed by a transition to 28nm, noting that 28nm would become 'a key part of our offering.'
A representative from PSMC added that the collaboration covers several technology nodes, with the most advanced process being 28nm, stating that 'typically, the implementation of a technology platform happens gradually, starting with more mature nodes.'
The initial product selection demonstrates that the Tata group, despite its manufacturing capabilities spanning from luxury sedans to industrial chemicals, is still in an early learning phase in the complex field of chip production. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is counting on the conglomerate to reduce India's dependence on imports and secure a place for it in the global semiconductor market.
The group is investing tens of billions of dollars in building semiconductor fabrication plants and chip assembly facilities, overcoming early hurdles in infrastructure, technology, and skilled manpower. On Wednesday, New Delhi approved new government assistance worth 1.28 trillion rupees ($13.3 billion) for chip development, manufacturing equipment, and supply chain development. However, these funds will only apply to future, additional investments and will not compensate for expenses already incurred.
The new incentives supplement a previous $10 billion aid package announced in 2021, which offered to cover half the costs of establishing semiconductor projects, including the Tata plant in Dholera, whose capital expenditure is $10.7 billion and was originally slated to start with 28nm chips. Tata Group Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran had previously stated in the Tata Sons annual report that 'we decided to start our journey in chips with the 28nm node—it is a stable node,' and that the group would then advance to more complex technologies.
Chip manufacturing leaders like Taiwan and South Korea hold a decades-long advantage over India. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the primary chip producer for Nvidia Corp. and Apple Inc., began mass production of 2nm last year and derives the majority of its revenue from 5nm and smaller nodes. Despite this, 28nm remains one of the most commercially vital mature nodes in the semiconductor industry, producing chips used in smartphones, communication equipment, consumer electronics, and increasingly, vehicles. Starting production at 90nm suggests that Tata is initially targeting a less profitable segment of the market.
Although Tata had previously planned to commence commercial production by the end of 2026, India's Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told reporters on Wednesday that the Dholera plant is now expected to begin commercial operations in mid-2028.
Doniyor Togayev, a resident of Karshi district in Kashkadarya region, was provided with a modern bionic hand prosthesis through state social support.
According to the information, Doniyor lost the part of one of his hands in 2014 as a result of an accident. This situation caused him many difficulties in his daily life for many years.
Within the scope of reforms being carried out in the field of social protection in the country, measures to support disabled citizens are being expanded. Specifically, with the initiative of the Head of State, the number of prosthetics, orthopedics, and rehabilitation aids provided to people with disabilities has been increased from 30 to 38. This new range of aids also includes bionic hand prostheses made based on high technology.
Thanks to this opportunity, Doniyor was also provided with a modern bionic prosthesis. This new aid is expected to play a very important role in increasing his daily activity, expanding his employment opportunities, and leading an independent life.
Local South African rooibos tea is preparing for a flight to the International Space Station in October as part of an innovative project. According to the South African Rooibos Council (SARC), this initiative involves exposing local seeds to microgravity and cosmic radiation to study life support systems outside of Earth.
After returning, the seeds will be planted by students from Parkland College and seven schools in the Western Cape alongside control seeds to analyze their germination, growth, and yield. The ultimate goal of this significant experiment is to help solve important agricultural cultivation problems on Earth while simultaneously increasing youth interest in advanced space science.
SARC Director, Douwe de Villiers, stated that the council is expanding its traditional focus on local public health research to study the influence of cosmic radiation and microgravity on this crop. He specified that students will become active partners in the project, tracking seed growth and resilience parallel to ground control crops. The project aims to address current commercial cultivation and yield challenges for local farmers, as well as stimulating youth interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
De Villiers expressed hope that among the young participants, 'a spark will ignite, prompting them to delve deeper into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.'
During the launch event, Dr. Kelebogile Gaselakhwa, a postdoctoral researcher at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) at the University of Cape Town (UCT), urged students to draw inspiration from the journey of this crop.
Gaselakhwa stated: 'Being rooted deep in the earth and soaring high into the sky, right into space, is a message I want all of you to keep in your hearts.' Speaking about her own journey from Kimberley to becoming an astronomer, she emphasized that South Africa's global scientific facilities, such as the MeerKAT radio telescope, demonstrate the country's global leadership in science. She encouraged students to pursue careers in STEM and use the rooibos experiment to expand their own ambitions.
Gaselakhwa added that 'the seeds are going into space, but the seeds of inspiration we hope to sow in each of you today will help broaden your imagination,' urging students to remain unique and true to their identity while pursuing their dreams.
The South African National Space Agency (Sansa) supported the project to strengthen local skills development and innovation. Tandile Wuntu, Head of Sansa's Science Engagement Department in Germinus, noted that this initiative creates vital opportunities for youth entering STEM fields. He stressed that 'space science is becoming increasingly integrated into areas affecting daily life, from communication to environmental monitoring.'
Wuntu also pointed out that such projects demonstrate the importance of collaboration between industry, government, academia, and the scientific sector to build a strong pipeline of future scientists, engineers, and researchers. MaxIQ Space facilitates the delivery of this scientific program directly into classrooms by developing an extended STEM education curriculum that introduces students to space science, plant biology, and sustainable agriculture.
Judy Sandrock from MaxIQ Space stated that the initiative's goal is to strengthen access to authentic scientific learning. She noted that the project's value lies in giving students exposure to real-world scientific research processes related to space science, providing a structured opportunity to develop scientific thinking, data analysis skills, and understanding of practical experimentation.
To increase national participation, students across South Africa are invited to participate in designing the official 'Rooibos in Space' mission badge in July and August, thereby extending the project's reach beyond the primary participating schools. Bertram Loriston, Deputy Director of Curriculum Management and Assessment for the Western Cape Education Department, strongly urged young people to seize every opportunity. Loriston recalled his own experience working at CERN in Geneva, where scientific experiments and data management broadened his horizons. Despite the difficulties of this scientific path, he ultimately chose teaching to inspire curiosity in youth, praising teachers for providing students with opportunities that open doors beyond the classroom. His advice was simple and resolute: 'When an opportunity knocks, you must dance. Take it.'
Applying this advice is Chloe Kosi, a Grade 10 student from Khanyville High School, who said this initiative has already taught her how curiosity can unlock major career and academic opportunities. For Kosi, sending a local South African plant into space is a proud achievement that will help gain international recognition for the country's scientific research.
A team of scientists from Northeast India has identified a new species of firefly in the village of Mawsynram, known as the wettest place on Earth, located in the state of Meghalaya.
The new insect has been named Pygoluciola mawsynram. Its discovery was made by researchers from Assam Don Bosco University and Debraj Roy College. This species increases the total number of species in the genus Pygoluciola to 29 worldwide and is only the fifth representative of its genus recorded in India.
The discovery occurred in May 2024, shortly before the start of the heavy monsoon season. The researchers conducted fieldwork, trekking through moist meadows and semi-evergreen forests of the East Khasi Hills. They observed the fireflies emitting yellowish flashes of light between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM, often near small, slow-moving water bodies and waterfalls.
To confirm the novelty of the species, the team used a combination of traditional morphology, which studies the physical structure of the insect, and DNA barcoding to determine its genetic signature. Although many fireflies look similar externally, P. mawsynram is distinguished by an orange-yellow pronotum (the plate covering the upper part of the body) and black wings with thin yellow edges. Its closest relative is the Indonesian firefly, Pygoluciola ambita, but microscopic examination revealed key differences.
The new Indian species possesses a uniquely curved or complex edge on the sixth abdominal segment and has differently formed reproductive organs (aedeagus). Specifically, the tip of this organ is characterized by a broad base that narrows to a thin, wavy membrane, which is not observed in other known representatives of this group. The name Mawsynram was chosen in honor of the village where the firefly was first discovered, also paying tribute to the local Khasi community, which traditionally cares for the region's biodiversity by preserving sacred groves.
The researchers emphasized that despite the abundance of wildlife in India, fireflies have long been ignored by the scientific community. They consider this finding an important step toward understanding the role of these bioluminescent insects in the ecosystem. Since the fireflies were found near water, the team suggests that their larvae may be aquatic or semi-aquatic, implying their dependence on the region's famous rainfall for survival.
>
