As 2025 draws to a close, the landscape of Indian science stands more vibrant and diverse than ever. From the sun-scorched plains of Kachchh to the frozen peaks of the Himalayas, and from the microscopic world of cellular mechanics to the vast, gravitational ripples of the cosmos, Indian researchers have pushed the boundaries of what we know. This year, Research Matters has chronicled stories that not only advance global knowledge but also address local environmental challenges and celebrate the unique biodiversity of the subcontinent.
Here, we look back at the fifteen key stories of the year, showcasing the ingenuity and dedication of the Indian scientific community in 2025.
Uncovering the Wonders of the Natural World
The year’s most popular story took us deep into the Arabian Sea, where researchers announced the discovery of the Indian Octopus Squid. This new species of giant deep-sea squid has captured the public imagination, highlighting the vast extent of our oceans that remains unexplored. Far from the depths of the sea, the heights of the Indian Himalayas also yielded secrets, as ICAR-IARI researchers identified three new moth species, emphasising the critical need for continued documentation and classification work in India’s biodiversity hotspots.
Biodiversity discoveries weren’t limited to professional expeditions. In a testament to the power of citizen science, a resident of Belagavi discovered India’s first recorded Euthyrrhapha pacifica cockroach species, demonstrating that keen observation can lead to significant scientific contributions. Meanwhile, in the high-altitude desert of Ladakh, conservationists completed the most extensive survey of the elusive snow leopard to date, providing a vital baseline for the survival of the ghost of the mountains.
From Earthly Geology to Cosmic Frontiers
India’s geological treasures are proving to be a bridge to the stars. One of the year’s standout reports detailed how a mineral found in Kachchh, Gujarat, is helping scientists date events on Mars. By studying these terrestrial analogues, researchers are refining our understanding of the Red Planet’s aqueous history. Looking even further into the void, the LIGO collaboration, featuring significant Indian participation, detected the most massive black hole merger ever recorded. The observation has caused much excitement in the scientific community, as it directly challenges our standard stellar evolution theories.
Engineering Solutions for a Changing World
In the realm of infrastructure and technology, 2025 was a year of “tall” achievements. We went behind the scenes to explore the science stabilising the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s tallest railway bridge. The study highlighted the complex engineering required to ensure the structure’s safety against high winds and seismic activity. Not surprisingly, Prof Madhavi Latha, who led this study, was honoured as one of the NDTV Science Icons of the year for 2025, along with Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who became the first Indian astronaut to stay aboard the International Space Station.
On the sustainability front, Indian scientists are tackling the climate crisis with molecular precision. Researchers developed a new Nickel-Cobalt catalyst capable of converting carbon dioxide into cleaner fuel, offering a potential path to carbon neutrality. Complementing this, a team successfully created bio-based membranes for fuel cells, moving us closer to truly green energy storage solutions that reduce our reliance on synthetic polymers.
Protecting Our Ecosystems
The health of our water bodies remained a primary concern this year. A study at Dal Lake showed that rainfall plays a surprising role in dispersing and altering the characteristics of microplastics, with significant implications for how we manage plastic pollution in freshwater systems. Further north, researchers produced a detailed map of rock glaciers in the Western Himalayas. These hidden reservoirs of ice are crucial for regional water security, and mapping them is a vital step in predicting how the Third Pole will respond to a warming climate.
Decoding the Human and Biological Story
Understanding who we are and how we function occupied a central place in this year’s research. A major genetic study on the Kodavas of Coorg revealed a complex and unique ancestral past, shedding light on the migration patterns and social structures that shaped this distinct community. In the laboratory, fundamental biology saw a breakthrough as researchers investigated how cells decide which way to grow. The study identified critical mechanical cues that guide tissue organisation, a discovery that could improve regenerative medicine and our understanding of how life thrives and evolves.
Even the field of forensics saw an unusual intersection of physics and biology. A study of cracks in dried bloodstains showed that the patterns left behind can reveal the specific circumstances of how the stain formed, a finding that could provide investigators with a new tool for reconstructive forensics.
The Long View: Mathematics and Inspiration
Finally, 2025 celebrated the persistence required for scientific breakthroughs. We followed the 10-year journey of Prof Chandrashekhar Khare working to “chase a conjecture” that aims to unify disparate fields of mathematics. His success serves as a potent reminder that the pursuit of knowledge is often a marathon, not a sprint, and continues to inspire the next generation of Indian scientists to tackle the world’s most complex puzzles.
As we look toward 2026, these fifteen stories remind us that science in India is not just about data and publications, but it is about a deep-seated curiosity to understand our world and a commitment to solving the challenges of our time.
This article was written with the help of AI and edited by an editor at Research Matters.