NEWS:Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla successfully completed a two-week mission to the International Space Station (ISS)

GS-3 science and technology

• under a collaboration between NASA, Axiom Space, and ISRO, marking a critical step in preparations for India’s Gaganyaan mission.
• Shubhanshu Shukla participated in a NASA-Axiom mission to ISS, supported by ISRO.
• The trip served as a training and familiarisation exercise for the upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission.
• ₹500+ crore was paid by ISRO for this astronaut training collaboration with Axiom Space.
• Training included exposure to spacecraft systems, microgravity adaptation, and space medicine.
• ISRO claims the training cost was lower than if conducted indigenously.
• The mission pilot role allowed Mr. Shukla to experience manual operations, reentry procedures, and docking protocols.
• The mission helped overcome concerns about restrictions under International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
• Detailed Insights:
• Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight mission, is scheduled for 2027 and has a projected cost of ₹20,000 crore.
• Mr. Shukla and fellow astronaut Prasanth Nair received training in Japan and Germany for operations in non-U.S. space modules.
• Human spaceflight demands extreme preparedness, especially for emergencies and anomaly management.
• ISRO’s limited public communication has been criticised despite the inspirational value of astronauts.
• Transparency and outreach are essential to enhance public engagement and amplify India’s soft power.
• The NASA-Axiom-ISRO collaboration is viewed as a strategic success, demonstrating India’s expanding global partnerships in space.
• Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:
• Gaganyaan Mission: India’s maiden crewed spaceflight mission aiming to send 2–3 astronauts into low-Earth orbit.
• Microgravity Training: Familiarises astronauts with weightless conditions encountered in space.
• International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR): U.S. export control law that limits sharing of sensitive technology.
• Docking/Undocking Operations: Manual or automated procedures for attaching and detaching spacecraft modules.

NEWS:Akash Prime Successfully Tested in Ladakh by Army

GS-3 internal security

The Indian Army successfully tested the Akash Prime air defence system in high-altitude conditions in Ladakh, marking a major step in enhancing India’s indigenous air defence capabilities. Concurrently, the test launches of Prithvi-II and Agni-I ballistic missiles also conducted.

• The Indian Army conducted successful trials of Akash Prime, an upgraded version of the Akash missile, at 15,000 feet altitude in Eastern Ladakh.
• The tests were carried out jointly with scientists from DRDO, which developed the system.
• Two direct hits were scored on fast-moving aerial targets in a high-altitude, rarefied atmosphere.
• Akash Prime will be inducted into the Army as the third and fourth regiments of the Akash air defence system.
• The Akash is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile (SAM) system designed to intercept aerial threats.
• Separately, the Prithvi-II and Agni-I ballistic missiles were also successfully test-fired from Chandipur, Odisha.
• These tests validated technical and operational parameters under the Strategic Forces Command.

Detailed Insights:

• The Akash Prime is an improved variant of the original Akash missile, optimized for high-altitude performance and precision.
• Conducting tests in Ladakh signifies India’s strategic preparedness in sensitive border regions, especially under extreme environmental conditions.
• The Army Air Defence Corps, in coordination with DRDO, has been enhancing indigenous missile capabilities for more autonomous and efficient air-space management.
• Akash Prime’s integration into Army regiments underscores a widening of India’s indigenous missile defence deployment along vulnerable fronts.
• The successful validation of Prithvi-II and Agni-I missiles reflects India’s robust deterrence posture and readiness of the Strategic Forces Command.
• These developments align with India’s larger vision of self-reliance in defence technology (Atmanirbhar Bharat) and a credible minimum deterrence strategy.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Akash Prime: A medium-range surface-to-air missile system capable of targeting aerial threats; features improved accuracy and high-altitude adaptability.
• Prithvi-II: A short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) with a strike range of ~350 km; liquid-fueled, developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
• Agni-I: A medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) with a range of ~700–900 km; part of India’s nuclear-capable Agni series.
• Strategic Forces Command (SFC): A tri-services operational command responsible for India’s nuclear arsenal and strategic missile forces.

NEWS:Russian oil: India calls out ‘double standards’,

GS-2 international relation

India has criticised proposed U.S. legislation imposing steep duties on countries trading in Russian oil, calling out “double standards” and emphasizing energy security needs amidst rising geopolitical pressure from the U.S. and NATO.

• The Russian Sanctions Act, 2025, proposes 500% tariffs on oil and energy trade with Russia.
• India, China, and Brazil have been warned by NATO to end Russian oil purchases or face sanctions.
• India sources oil from 40 countries, up from 27 earlier, indicating diversification of supply.
• India imports about 38% of Russian oil exports, second only to China (~50%).
• India reiterated that energy security is a priority, and any sanctions will be dealt with if passed.
• Section 17 of the U.S. Bill targets countries importing Russian oil, natural gas, uranium, and petrochemicals.
• Over 1,500 Indian nationals have been deported from the U.S. since January 2025 amid parallel negotiations.

• The Russian Sanctions Act, 2025, enjoys bipartisan support in U.S. Congress, with over 170 co-sponsors.
• India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has officially raised concerns with U.S. lawmakers, including Senator Lindsey Graham.
• India has not resumed oil imports from Iran, which were halted under U.S. pressure in 2017, reflecting caution despite diversification efforts.
• The bill empowers the U.S. President to waive sanctions for six months, offering diplomatic leeway.
• India’s firm response reflects a balance between strategic autonomy, energy affordability, and geopolitical non-alignment.

• Ad Valorem Duty: A tariff calculated as a fixed percentage of the value of the goods.
• Energy Security: The uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price.
• Secondary Sanctions: Sanctions imposed on third-party countries or entities for engaging with a sanctioned state

NEWS:Ahmedabad sparkles as the cleanest big city in India,

GS-2 governance

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs released the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 rankings. Ahmedabad emerged as the cleanest big city, highlighting progress under India’s urban sanitation mission.

• Ahmedabad ranked as the cleanest city with a population of over 10 lakh, followed by Bhopal and Lucknow.
• Indore, Surat, Navi Mumbai, and Vijayawada joined the new “Super Swachh League” for consistent performance.
• Prayagraj won the award for Best Ganga Town, and Secunderabad Cantonment for best sanitation among cantonment boards.
• Visakhapatnam, Jabalpur, and Gorakhpur recognized as Best Saifai Mitra Surakshit Shehar for sanitation worker safety.
• Mira-Bhayandar, Bilaspur, and Jamshedpur topped the 3–10 lakh population category.
• The Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, with 66 crore footfall, was lauded for urban waste management.
• The 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) approach and circular economy model were prominently promoted.

• Swachh Survekshan: An annual cleanliness survey conducted by the Government of India to rank cities on sanitation and hygiene.
• 3R Principle (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle): A waste minimisation strategy promoting circular economy and sustainable resource use.
• Circular Economy: An economic system aimed at eliminating waste and continuously using resources through regeneration

MAINS MOCK QUESTION

Explain necessity of space exploration examine the ties of ISRO and NASA