December 2025
In short: Andhra Pradesh science, environment & technology current affairs for December 2025.
Current Affairs — Andhra Pradesh › Science, Environment & Technology · 18 min read · Free to read · English & Telugu
Bilingual study notes for the Andhra Pradesh Police SI & Constable exams (SLPRB AP) by AP Police Hub, a product of Anvil Academy.
Andhra Pradesh's December 2025 science, environment and technology digest — the Cyclone Ditwah red alert, Taramandal's plan for India's first orbital satellite data-centre prototype at Visakhapatnam, MoEF&CC clearance for the Terms of Reference of seven water aerodromes, TTD's Sacred Herbal Garden in Tirumala, the 2026 AP Legislature Biodiversity Calendar, the 7th Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan at Tirupati, and ISRO's ground test of the SSLV third stage (SS3) at Sriharikota.
December 2025 — At a Glance
December 2025 was a science-heavy month for Andhra Pradesh. It opened with a red alert for Cyclone Ditwah over the Bay of Bengal and closed with two big space-technology stories — the Visakhapatnam start-up Taramandal unveiling India's first orbital satellite data-centre prototype, and ISRO ground-testing an improved third stage of the SSLV at Sriharikota. In between came a cluster of environment and biodiversity headlines: MoEF&CC clearing the Terms of Reference for seven water aerodromes, TTD announcing a Sacred Herbal Garden in Tirumala, the CM unveiling the 2026 AP Legislature Biodiversity Calendar, and the 7th Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan set for Tirupati.
1. Disaster Management — Cyclone Ditwah Red Alert
Red alert for Tirupati, Prakasam and Nellore
- What & when — A Red Alert was issued on 30 November 2025 for Tirupati, Prakasam and Nellore districts as Cyclone Ditwah formed over the Bay of Bengal.
- Track — The system moved parallel to the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coast and was expected to weaken into a depression.
- Winds — 45–55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph in the morning, reducing to 35–45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph in the evening.
- Advisory — Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea till December 2; district control rooms were activated.
- Other heavy-rain districts — YSR Kadapa, Annamayya, Bapatla, Chittoor, Sri Sathya Sai, Nandyal, Palnadu, Guntur, Krishna, West Godavari and Konaseema.
- Exam relevance — GS-3 (cyclone / disaster management); the responding agencies were the IMD (India Meteorological Department) and NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority).
2. Space Technology — Taramandal's Orbital Data Centre
India's first orbital satellite data-centre prototype
- What & who — Taramandal, a Visakhapatnam-based space-tech start-up, announced India's first orbital satellite data-centre prototype in the 60-kg class.
- The idea — It aims to build modular, stackable orbital computing systems (via docking technology) for AI workloads, disaster prediction and national digital infrastructure.
- Partners — Partnering global players in Israel and Australia; seeking support from IN-SPACe for subsystem launches. It also collaborates with AU Engineering College.
- Green edge — It uses a reusable satellite bus, and space-based computation reduces the terrestrial carbon footprint of data centres.
- Vizag as a hub — Visakhapatnam is emerging as a major data-centre hub, with Google, Reliance, Adani and Airtel among the players present.
- Exam relevance — GS-3 (space technology, start-ups, digital infrastructure).
3. Environment — ToR for Seven Water Aerodromes
MoEF&CC clears the Terms of Reference for the EIA
- What — The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) permitted the AP Airports Development Corporation Ltd (APADCL) to prepare the Terms of Reference (ToR) for seven water aerodromes, enabling the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
- Scope — APADCL identified 10 potential locations; ToR was approved for 7 in phase 1.
- What a water aerodrome is — A facility that lets seaplanes take off and land on water bodies (dams, lakes, rivers); it needs environmental assessment for impact on aquatic ecosystems, fisheries, noise and shoreline. (Andaman & Nicobar got the country's first-ever.)
- Approval process — The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of MoEF&CC permits the ToR; an NOC from the Indian Navy is required (especially for the Visakhapatnam site).
- Tourism boost — Boosts tourism at Lambasingi, Araku and Gandikota, among others.
- Phase-2 proposed — Konaseema district, Tirupati and Araku Valley.
- Exam relevance — GS-3 (environment, EIA, infrastructure, transport).
Seven water-aerodrome locations approved for ToR (Phase 1)| No. | Location |
|---|
| 1 | Prakasam Barrage – Vijayawada |
| 2 | Srisailam Dam |
| 3 | Lambasingi |
| 4 | Rushikonda – Visakhapatnam |
| 5 | Kakinada |
| 6 | Jalaput (Sileru) |
| 7 | Gandikota |
4. Biodiversity Conservation — TTD Sacred Herbal Garden
Conserving Seshachalam's medicinal plants at Tirumala
- What — Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) will create a Sacred Herbal Garden in Tirumala to conserve rare and endangered medicinal plants native to the Seshachalam Forests; it is to be operational by end of 2026.
- Where & size — On 4 acres between the lower and upper ghat roads, near the GNC Toll Gate; estimated cost ₹4.25 crore; laid out in 13 thematic zones.
- Purpose — Supports Ayurveda, Siddha and Ayurveda-based temple traditions; AYUSH research tie-ups are planned.
- About Seshachalam — Seshachalam is a Biosphere Reserve (2010), rich in Red sanders and endemic species, and highly vulnerable to over-harvesting, illicit felling and climate stress.
- Significance — Strengthens both in-situ and ex-situ conservation of the medicinal-plant ecosystem.
- Exam relevance — GS-3 (biodiversity conservation, medicinal-plant ecosystem, biosphere reserves).
5. Wildlife — 2026 AP Legislature Biodiversity Calendar
"Biodiversity – The Living Heritage of Andhra Pradesh"
- What & who — CM N. Chandrababu Naidu unveiled the 2026 AP Legislature Biodiversity Calendar with the theme "Biodiversity – The Living Heritage of Andhra Pradesh" — part of the "Heritage of Andhra Pradesh" thematic calendar series launched in 2025.
- Species featured — It showcases 12 iconic wild animal species representing diverse ecosystems — the Eastern Ghats, grasslands, Coringa mangroves and coastal ecosystems along the Bay of Bengal.
- Legal protection — All featured species are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 — the highest level of protection.
- Art & AI — Wildlife illustrations are rendered in the traditional Kalamkari art style, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) used to generate and enhance the artwork.
- Committee — A dedicated Committee on Wildlife and Environmental Protection is chaired by the Speaker.
- Last year's edition — The 2025 edition was "Legendary Telugus in the Constituent Assembly" — commemorating 75 years of the Republic.
- Exam relevance — GS-3 (biodiversity, wildlife conservation).
6. Science & Technology — 7th Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan
A science conclave at Tirupati blending IKS with modern science
- What & where — CM N. Chandrababu Naidu is to inaugurate the 7th edition of the Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan (BVS) at the National Sanskrit University, Tirupati, on December 26–29, 2025.
- Theme — "The Bharatiya Perspective of Integral Development" — a national-level science and knowledge conclave that integrates India's traditional knowledge systems with contemporary science.
- Participation — Participation of ISRO, DRDO and other national research bodies; a science book fair, exhibitions and student outreach are planned. Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan is a guest speaker.
- Purpose — Supports Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) and scientific temper.
- Exam relevance — GS-3 (S&T — indigenous knowledge and the innovation ecosystem).
7. Space Technology — ISRO's SSLV Third-Stage (SS3) Test
A static ground test of an improved SS3 at Sriharikota
- What — ISRO successfully conducted a static ground test of an improved version of the third stage (SS3) of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.
- What SSLV is — A three-stage, all-solid launch vehicle for small satellites (up to ~500 kg) into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), enabling launch-on-demand with quick turnaround; it complements the PSLV.
- SS3 features — SS3 delivers velocity up to 4 km/s; it employs a monolithic composite motor case and a free-standing nozzle divergent (reducing inert mass).
- Improvements validated — A carbon-epoxy motor case (filament-wound, reduced stage mass, payload +90 kg); an improved igniter and nozzle; and fault-tolerant electro-mechanical nozzle control.
- Who built what — The motor case was realised at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) – Composites Entity; solid-motor casting and testing were done at SDSC.
- Test result — Test duration 108 seconds; all parameters matched predictions.
- 2025 infrastructure — A Solid Motor production facility was commissioned (July 2025); a 2nd Ammonium Perchlorate line came up (September 2025, Alwaye); and an indigenous 10-tonne vertical mixer (the world's largest) was set up at SDSC. The SMPST facilities at SDSC also tested the solid motor for the first orbital launch vehicle developed by an Indian space start-up.
- Exam relevance — GS-3 (space technology, indigenous development).
SSLV third stage (SS3) — key specifications| Parameter | Detail |
|---|
| Velocity delivered | Up to 4 km/s |
| Motor case | Carbon-epoxy (filament-wound), monolithic composite |
| Payload gain | +90 kg |
| Nozzle control | Fault-tolerant electro-mechanical |
| Test duration | 108 seconds (all parameters matched predictions) |
| Test site | Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota |