Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal virtually inaugurated the Maritime Simulation Centre in Chennai and the Indian Ship Technology Centre (ISTC) in Visakhapatnam. For exam preparation, this update should be read across science and technology, economy, infrastructure and maritime governance. The Maritime Simulation Centre is located at AMET Knowledge Park near Chennai. Its purpose is to give future seafarers practical training in realistic maritime situations within a controlled academic setting. This makes the centre relevant for questions on maritime education, navigation training and skill development in the shipping sector.

The Indian Ship Technology Centre at Visakhapatnam is meant to serve as a hub for ship design, research and development, engineering and skill development. It is linked to the larger goal of strengthening India's shipbuilding capacity and supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Government information places the investment in the Visakhapatnam ISTC at ₹305 crore. The centre is therefore not just a campus-level facility; it is part of India's wider effort to build domestic design capability and reduce dependence on external shipbuilding technology.

For RAS and UPSC prelims, the most likely factual points are the locations and functions: the Maritime Simulation Centre is in Chennai, while ISTC is in Visakhapatnam. For mains, the same development can be connected with Atmanirbhar Bharat, maritime economy, port-led development, skill formation and shipbuilding policy. In static GK, it links with India's eastern coast, maritime training institutions, shipyards and ports. Keep the two centres distinct: Chennai is associated with simulation-based maritime training, while Visakhapatnam is associated with ship design and R&D.