The year 2025 will be remembered for the remarkable scientific achievements made by researchers. The major scientific breakthroughs were seen in the field of medicine, biodiversity, astronomy and technology. The year 2025 will be also remembered for Indian scientists and researchers who made country proud through their discoveries and inventions. I will touch some of the major discoverers and inventions in different field of science and their significance for humanity.
In the area of space science, one of the major breakthrough was the discovery of spiral galaxy known as ‘The Alaknanda Galaxy’ by two Indian astronomers, Rashi Jain and Yogesh Wadadekar by using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. It is interesting to know that the name for this galaxy is given after the Himalayan River, Alaknanda. Some of the other major discoveries in astronomy in the year, 2025 were; discovery of MoM-z14 Galaxy, discovery of 128 moons of Saturn, breakthrough in astrobiology by elucidating the ‘Asteroid Bennu Organic Molecules’, discovery of O2 in the farthest galaxy (known as, JADES-GS-z14-0 at 13.4 billion light-years) etc.
In the area of technology, invention of ‘Microsoft Majorana 1 chip’ is a major breakthrough in the area of Quantum computing for the year 2025. Other inventions of the year 2025 in the area of technology include, the invention of OCC (Optical Computing Chip), invention of ‘First 3D Printed Microscope’, invention of ‘Infrared Contact Lenses’, Nanoscale AI Chips etc. All above discoveries in astronomy and technology will pave the way for the further advancement in the frontier areas in the upcoming years. Space science has advanced in leaps and bounds in recent years due to some extraordinary research discoveries, and if the trend remains the same, we may unravel unknown mysteries of universe in near future. The breakthroughs in technology in the year 2025, especially in quantum computing is going to revolutionize future computing fields. In the area of AI and deep learning, the technological innovation of 2025 is highly significant.
The year 2025 was significant in the context of recognition of scientists in the area of metal-organic framework and quantum world. Three chemists viz., Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi received a joint Nobel Prize from The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for the development innovative molecular architecture. This invention has great significance as these so called ‘metal–organic frameworks’ can be used to retrieve contaminant particles form water, air and can be used for storage of hydrogen. Quantum mechanical tunnelling effect in Physics also got recognition in 2025 by The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences as they awarded the prestigious Nobel Prize to three scientists, John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis.
In area of life science, scientists made huge breakthroughs which are considered as significant for the future. The elucidation of the key role of the FOXP3 gene in the discrimination of self from non-self during the immune response was considered a pioneer research work in life science and three scientists viz., Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi received joint Nobel Prize for the year 2025 in Physiology or Medicine. This discovery was significant in the sense that it opened doors for researchers to find treatment for autoimmune conditions, besides providing better understanding of cancer biology and transplant rejection issues. ‘Personalized CRISPR Gene Editing Therapy’ or PCGET was major breakthrough in the area of molecular medicine, whereby child facing with rare genetic disorder was treated with gene editing CRISPR, an innovation that could revolutionize the future medical interventions against rare diseases. This study got published in New Engl Journal of Medine, one of the reputed journals in medicine. Other promising breakthroughs in medical science include, progress in laboratory grown tissues and organs were tested on animal models to check their potential regenerative medicine, launch of HIV PrEP drug (Yeztugo or lenacapavir) having great efficacy, launch of first medicine against Sexually transmitted disease, gonorrhea, and the finding that Vit. D could actually reduce the biological ageing.
In 2025, there was continuous efforts from researchers to find ways to safeguard biological diversity in a sustainable manner. Implementation of ‘Kunming-Montreal GBF-2025’ is one of the key development which calls for integration of Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) with the UN’s 2030 Agenda, thereby aligning the biodiversity goals with the climate gaols. More than 16,000 thousand new species were discovered in 2025, which is considered highest rate ever recorded. Geckos (Cyrtodactylus himachalensis & C. shivalikensis) bush frogs and Malabar Pit Vipers were among the newly discovered species from India.
The discoveries and inventions mentioned above have left a significant mark across various fields of science. In the coming years, science is expected to advance at an accelerated pace, bringing forth astonishing discoveries and innovations. This journey of exploring the unknown and unravelling the mysteries of the universe may also help answer fundamental questions: Who are we, and what is our purpose?
(The views and opinions expressed in this article are personal and do not represent the official stance of the Institution.)
Dr. Ummer Rashid Zargar, Assistant Professor at Department of Zoology, GDC Dooru