Prelims: Current events of national and international relations | Science & Technology
Why in news?
The Bengaluru-based scientists win the 2025 Tata Transformation Prize.
Announced by – The New York Academy of Sciences & Tata Sons.
Purpose –To advance innovation and support visionary scientists in India developing breakthrough technologies to address India’s societal challenges.
It is awarded annually.
3 categories –Food Security, Sustainability, and Healthcare
Selection –3 winners chosen from 212 nominations across 27 Indian States by an international jury of scientists, clinicians, technologists, and engineers.
Prize –Each winner will receive Rs. 2 crore to advance their research and scale real-world impact.
Winners -
Padubidri V. Shivaprasad, from National Centre for Biological Sciences – Food Security.
Developed epigenetically engineered rice using small RNA based modifications to enhance stress tolerance and nutritional quality.
Helps reducing fertilizer/pesticide use and lower production costs.
Balasubramanian Gopal from Indian Institute of Science – Sustainability.
Developed a green chemistry platform using bioengineered E. coli to produce key chemicals used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agriculture.
Integrating AI-designed enzymes to produce chemicals sustainably, replacing traditional chemical manufacturing and helps reducing pollution
Ambarish Ghosh from Indian Institute of Science – Healthcare.
Developed magnetic nanorobots—tiny, spiral-shaped devices for targeted cancer treatment.
It is capable of navigating the body, delivering drugs to tumors, and enabling real-time imaging.
