RAS question
The Indian Army signed an MoU with which institution in January 2026 to develop an indigenous AI system for digital information challenges?
Correct answer: (C) Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
The Indian Army signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, on 23 January 2026 to develop a fully indigenous AI-based system for digital information challenges.
Explanation
The MoU was with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. Akashvani News reported on 23 January 2026 that the Indian Army signed the agreement to develop a fully indigenous Artificial Intelligence-based system through collaborative research and innovation. Its stated purpose was to address emerging challenges in the digital information landscape. IISc is therefore the answer because the report links that institution directly to the Army's indigenous AI initiative, with academic expertise, institutional experience and Indian industry brought together for self-reliant capability development. The Atmanirbhar Bharat framing supports this institutional focus without shifting attention away from the institution named in the question.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) IIT Delhi is wrong because Akashvani News names the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, not IIT Delhi, as the institution that signed the MoU with the Indian Army.
- (B) DRDO Headquarters, New Delhi, is wrong because the agreement was with IISc Bengaluru for the AI-based system, not an MoU with DRDO headquarters.
- (D) ISRO, Bengaluru, is wrong because IISc Bengaluru was the Army's partner for the indigenous AI-based system, not ISRO.
Concept
This tests current science and technology through an indigenous AI and defence-academia collaboration update. It recurs in RAS because such questions link applied research, institutional partnerships and the Atmanirbhar Bharat theme in a single factual prompt.