|

ISRO to Conduct Gaganyaan’s First Test Flight in December 2025

ByAjay Gulia

On 21 August 2025, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V. Narayanan announced that India’s maiden manned space mission – Gaganyaan will have its first test flight in December 2025.

  • Progress: Around 7,700 tests (80%) completed; remaining 2,300 tests to finish by March 2026.
  • Other Achievements (2025): 196 milestones, including GLEX-2025, a high-thrust electric propulsion system, and plans to launch a 6,500 kg US communication satellite from India.
  • Aditya L1 Mission: Delivered 13 terabits of scientific data this year.
  • Axiom-4 Mission: ISRO corrected a LOX leakage in Falcon-9’s first stage, ensuring a safe launch.

Similar Posts

  • Namo Bharat Train Begins Final Trial Run to Modipuram on Delhi-Meerut RRTS Corridor

    The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) began trial runs of the Namo Bharat train on May 1, 2025, on the final stretch of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor, reaching Modipuram, the last station. This marked the first trial run through the underground section of Meerut, a major milestone in linking central Meerut with Delhi via high-speed rail.

    Previously, trials were conducted only on either side of the currently operational segment between New Ashok Nagar–Sarai Kale Khan and Meerut South–Shatabdi Nagar. Civil work, electrification, track laying, and signalling have been completed along the full stretch from New Ashok Nagar to Modipuram.

  • 10th anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme

    The Ministry of Women and Child Development celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, a flagship initiative to protect, educate, and empower girls in India. The inaugural event was held on January 22, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, attended by Union Ministers J. P. Nadda, Annapurna Devi, and Savitri Thakur.

    Key achievements highlighted included:

    • Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB): Improved from 918 (2014-15) to 930 (2023-24).
    • Gross Enrolment Ratio of Girls: Increased from 75.51% to 78%.
    • Institutional Deliveries: Rose from 61% to 97.3%.
    • Antenatal Care Registrations (First Trimester): Increased from 61% to 80.5%.

    The event featured women officers from the armed forces, paramilitary, Delhi Police, and international representatives from UNICEF, UN Women, and the World Bank. The celebrations, running from January 22 to March 8, 2025, concluded on International Women’s Day.

    Launched on January 22, 2015, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BBBP has re-enrolled over 100,000 out-of-school girls and initiated impactful programs like the Yashaswini Bike Expedition and Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav. The Ministry remains committed to fostering a Viksit Bharat with gender equality and women’s empowerment at its core.

  • PM Narendra Modi Becomes Longest-Serving Head of Elected Government in India

    On 22 March 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi achieved a historic milestone by becoming the longest-serving head of an elected government in India. He completed 8,931 days in office, surpassing Pawan Kumar Chamling, the former Chief Minister of Sikkim, who held the record with 8,930 days.

    This achievement combines PM Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat (2001–2014) and as Prime Minister of India (since 2014), marking his entry into the 25th year of continuous leadership. The milestone reflects his long-standing political career and sustained public mandate.

    PM Modi was sworn in as the 14th Prime Minister of India on 26 May 2014, becoming the first non-Congress leader to secure a full majority. He later became the first non-Congress PM to complete two full terms and return for a third consecutive term.

  • DRDO Successfully Tests Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute

    India’s human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, achieved a significant milestone with the successful qualification-level load test of its drogue parachute system. The test was conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh on 18 February 2026.

    Key Highlights

    • The drogue parachute is a critical component of the crew module’s deceleration system, designed to stabilize and slow down the spacecraft before the deployment of the main parachutes.
    • The qualification-level load test validated the parachute’s strength, reliability, and performance under extreme aerodynamic conditions.
    • The Ministry of Defence emphasized that the RTRS facility is a specialized dynamic test center extensively used for high-speed aerodynamic and ballistic evaluations.
    • The successful trial demonstrates India’s growing expertise in designing and manufacturing high-strength ribbon parachutes, a technology crucial for astronaut safety during re-entry and landing.
    • The test was jointly overseen by teams from DRDO and ISRO, marking another step forward in ensuring the safety and success of India’s first human spaceflight mission.

  • Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2025: Pratham Puja Performed, Yatra Begins 3rd July

    On 11 June 2025, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha performed the Pratham Puja at the Holy Cave, marking the ceremonial start of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. He encouraged devotees to visit in large numbers and prayed for the progress of J&K and the nation. He highlighted improved pilgrim facilities and foolproof security by Police, Army, CRPF, and CAPFs.

    The Yatra will begin on 3rd July 2025 via both Pahalgam (Anantnag) and Baltal (Ganderbal) routes and will conclude on 9th August (Raksha Bandhan).

    The LG also inspected the Baltal Base Camp Hospital and instructed for 24/7 medical readiness, availability of staff, equipment, oxygen, and medicines for the safety of pilgrims.

  • Veer Baal Diwas: Honouring the Martyrdom of Sahibzadas (26 December)

    Veer Baal Diwas is observed every year on 26 December to honour the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s younger sons, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, who refused to abandon their faith and chose sacrifice over submission at a very tender age. The day commemorates their unparalleled courage, devotion, and commitment to righteousness.

    The younger Sahibzadas—Zorawar Singh (9) and Fateh Singh (7)—were captured by Mughal forces and pressured to renounce Sikhism. They stood firm and were bricked alive at Sirhind Fort, a defining moment of bravery in Sikh history. Veer Baal Diwas serves as a tribute to their sacrifice and inspires the nation with values of truth, resilience, and moral strength.

    Observed nationwide, the day includes prayers, educational programmes, exhibitions, and cultural events, keeping their legacy alive among youth. The day also sees discussions around renaming it as Sahibzade Shahadat Diwas, emphasizing martyrdom. Veer Baal Diwas stands as a reminder that even children can become eternal symbols of courage and faith.