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

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.

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  • Gallantry Awards 2025: President Murmu Confers Kirti and Shaurya Chakras to 39 Bravehearts

    On 22 May 2025, President Droupadi Murmu honored 39 gallantry award recipients during the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhawan, recognizing their extraordinary courage and sacrifice in service to the nation. A total of six Kirti Chakras and 33 Shaurya Chakras were conferred upon personnel from the Armed Forces, CAPF, and State/UT Police, with 11 awards given posthumously.

    The Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra are among India’s highest peacetime gallantry awards, awarded for acts of exceptional bravery and selflessness. Notable posthumous recipients of the Kirti Chakra included Rifleman Ravi Kumar, Colonel Manpreet Singh, DSP Himayun Muzzammil Bhat, and Naik Dilwar Khan, all recognized for their valor during counter-terror operations, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir.

    The Shaurya Chakra recipients included Major Vijay Verma, Deputy Commandant Vikrant Kumar, and Inspector Jeffrey Hmingchullo among others. Seven Shaurya Chakras were awarded posthumously, including to Major Aashish Dhonchak and Captain Deepak Singh.

    Personnel displayed heroism in counter-terrorism operations, anti-piracy missions, internal security, and disaster management. Highlights included:

    • Indian Navy officers like Commodore Sharad Sinsunwal led successful anti-piracy and firefighting operations.
    • Indian Air Force officers such as Wing Commander Vernon Desmond Keane executed life-saving aerial rescues.
    • CRPF personnel, including Deputy Commandant Lakhveer and posthumous awardee Constable Pawan Kumar, played crucial roles in anti-Maoist operations.

    This ceremony underscored the bravery, professionalism, and dedication of India’s security forces in ensuring national security across land, sea, and air.

  • Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma

    The Supreme Court Collegium has proposed the transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting judge of the Delhi High Court, back to his parent court, the Allahabad High Court. This decision, taken during meetings on March 20 and March 24.

    However, the transfer has sparked controversy, with the Allahabad High Court Bar Association raising objections. Justice Varma is currently under scrutiny following allegations of a large stash of cash being discovered at his Delhi residence after a fire broke out on March 14. Reports suggest that firefighters found the cash while extinguishing the flames, though Justice Varma was not present at the time.

    In response to the allegations, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has formed a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the matter. The committee includes:

    • Justice Sheel Nagu (Chief Justice, Punjab & Haryana High Court)
    • Justice G.S. Sandhawalia (Chief Justice, Himachal Pradesh High Court)
    • Justice Anu Sivaraman (Judge, Karnataka High Court)

    Meanwhile, Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyaya has been directed not to assign any judicial work to Justice Varma until further notice.

    Justice Varma has strongly denied the allegations, claiming that this is a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation. He clarified that the room where the cash was allegedly found is an outhouse, separate from his main residence.

    The Supreme Court has emphasized that the transfer decision is unrelated to the ongoing controversy, aiming to maintain transparency and fairness.

  • Magnus Carlsen Wins Freestyle Chess Grand Slam 2025 in Paris

    World number one Magnus Carlsen of Norway won the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam 2025 in Paris by defeating American GM Hikaru Nakamura 1.5-0.5, earning $200,000. Nakamura secured second place with $140,000. Fabiano Caruana beat Vincent Keymer for third place, winning $100,000 and a spot in the Las Vegas Grand Slam.

    Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi claimed fifth place with a 1.5-0.5 win over France’s Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, earning $50,000. Arjun will next compete at the Grenke Freestyle Open starting April 17.

  • Jasprit Bumrah wins ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award 

    Jasprit Bumrah has been awarded the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 2024 for his outstanding performance. He took an astonishing 71 wickets while bowling 357 overs in 13 matches, at an average of 14.92 in 2024.

    Renowned for his yorkers and consistency, Bumrah was instrumental in India’s success across formats, including the ODI World Cup and major Test series.

  • India to Celebrate 11th International Day of Yoga with 10 Signature Events

    India will commemorate the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on June 21, 2025, with ten Signature Events under the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” These initiatives aim to expand yoga’s global outreach and reinforce its role in health, culture, and sustainable living.

    Key Signature Events:

    Yoga Sangam:
    A nationwide synchronized yoga demonstration at over 1 lakh locations based on the Common Yoga Protocol; PM Modi to lead from Visakhapatnam.

    Yoga Bandhan:
    Promotes international collaboration, with Indian yoga experts visiting partner nations and foreign delegates participating in India’s IDY celebrations.

    Yoga Park:
    Transforms public parks into yoga zones in rural and urban areas, with trained instructors and self-practice materials.

    Yoga Samavesh:
    Offers specialized yoga modules for diverse groups like children, elderly, pregnant women, and those with lifestyle diseases.

    Yoga Prabhav:
    A research-based review of IDY’s 10-year impact on health, policy, and awareness, launched at the Yoga Connect summit.

    Yoga Connect:
    A global hybrid summit fostering dialogue, collaborations, and cultural exchange on making yoga globally relevant.

    Harit Yoga:
    Combines yoga with environmental actions like tree planting and cleanliness drives, linking wellness with sustainability.

    Yoga Unplugged:
    Designed for urban youth, using festivals, contests, and social media to make yoga engaging and contemporary.

    Yoga Mahakumbh:
    A festival-style yoga event in 10 Indian cities, each themed around issues like youth, inclusivity, and environment.

    Samyoga:
    Promotes integration of yoga with Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani, Siddha, and modern medicine, aiming for holistic health interventions.

  • India Crowned World Champions in Sepak Takraw!

    The Indian Men’s Regu team has made history, winning gold at the 2025 Sepak Takraw World Cup! The championship, held in Patna, Bihar, saw India deliver a breathtaking performance to defeat Japan 2-1 in the final on 25 March 2025.

    The journey wasn’t easy. After losing the first set 11-15, the Indian team found renewed strength with the roar of the home crowd behind them. They bounced back in style, winning the second set 15-11 and forcing a decisive third game.

    In a nail-biting finale, both teams traded points in a tense showdown. But India held their nerve and emerged victorious with a 17-14 win, securing the coveted gold medal and bringing pride to the nation!