Q. Where will the first Khelo India Water Sports Festival be held in August 2025?
A) Goa
B) Chilika Lake
C) Dal Lake, Srinagar
D) Naini Lake
Q. What is the name of the sweeping legislation passed by the US House on July 3, 2025?
A) The Liberty Act
B) Build Back Better Bill
C) One Big Beautiful Bill
D) Freedom Finance Act
India’s World Heritage Sites (Total 43):
| Site (Included in UNESCO’s list) | Location | Significance |
| Agra Fort (1983) | Uttar Pradesh | – Palace fort with a crucial history of the |
| Ajanta Caves (1983) | Maharashtra | – Finest surviving examples of ancient Buddhist cave paintings and rock-cut architecture |
| Ellora Caves (1983) | Maharashtra | – Outstanding crystallization of ancient Indian rock-cut architecture representing Buddhist, Hindu and Jain faiths |
| Taj Mahal (1983) | Uttar Pradesh | – Architectural masterpiece of the Mughal era |
| Sun Temple, Konark (1984) | Odisha | – 13th-century temple extolling the Sun God Surya in unique architectural style and elaborate stone carvings |
| Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984) | Tamil Nadu | – 7th-8th century architectural and sculptural evolution in the port city of the Pallava dynasty |
| Churches and Convents of Goa (1986) | Goa | – Remnants of Portuguese colonial architecture and Christianity’s expansion in Asia |
| Fatehpur Sikri (1986) | Uttar Pradesh | – Imperial capital city built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 16th century, blending Indo-Islamic architecture styles |
| Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986) | Karnataka | – Capital city of Vijayanagara empire in 14th-16th century with brilliant temple architecture |
| Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986) | Madhya Pradesh | – Clusters of Hindu and Jain temples built in 10th-11th century CE renowned for erotic sculptures of dancers and couples |
| Elephanta Caves (1987) | Maharashtra | – Rock-cut cave shrines of Shiva sect from 6th century CE with monumental sculpture |
| Great Living Chola Temples (1987, 2004) | Tamil Nadu | – 11th and 12th century Chola dynasty temple complexes demonstrating evolution of form and architecture |
| Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987) | Karnataka | – 8th century CE Chalukya dynasty temple exemplifying blend of Northern and Southern styles |
| Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989) | Madhya Pradesh | – Oldest stone structures extant from 3rd century BCE preserving core of Buddhist art and architecture |
| Humayun’s Tomb (1993) | Delhi | – Mughal tomb which is earliest Garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent, precursor to Taj Mahal |
| Qutb Minar and its Monuments (1993) | Delhi | – 13th-century minaret and monuments complex built by Qutubuddin Aibak heralding Indo-Islamic architecture |
| Mountain Railways of Darjeeling, Kalka Shimla & Nilgiri (1999) | – Opened between 1881 and 1908, these hill railways exemplify bold engineering solutions for connecting mountainous terrains. – Fully operational, they showcase the ingenuity of late 19th and early 20th-century engineering | |
| Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003) | Madhya Pradesh | – Site demonstrating early human life through traces of prehistoric rock paintings dating 30,000 years ago |
| Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004) | Gujarat | – Pre-Mughal Islamic city and fort from the 8th to 14th centuries CE |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (2004) | Maharashtra | – It was designed by Frederick William Stevens in the Victorian Gothic style, drawing influences from Italian Gothic architecture and combining them with influences from Indian traditional buildings built in the late 19th century. – It symbolised the wealth of Mumbai as a major commercial port within the British Commonwealth. |
| Red Fort Complex (2007) | Delhi | – Monumental 17th-century Mughal palace fort built when the empire was at its artistic zenith |
| The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010) | Rajasthan | – 18th-century astronomical observation site demonstrating empire’s scientific advancement |
| Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2014) | Rajasthan | – Massive hill forts in Rajasthan demonstrating the power of Rajput kingdoms |
| Rani Ki Vav (Queen’s Stepwell), Patan (2014) | Gujarat | – Elaborately sculpted 11th century AD stepwell demonstrating mastery of engineering |
| Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara (2016) | Bihar | – Archeological remnants of the ancient seat of Mahayana Buddhism and monastic learning in India |
| The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, (2016) | Chandigarh | – An Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement is a World Heritage Site consisting of a selection of 17 building projects in several countries by the Franco-Swiss architect Le Corbusier. – These sites demonstrate how Modern Movement architecture was applied to respond to the needs of society and show the global range of a style and an architect |
| Historic City of Ahmedabad (2017) | Gujarat | – World Heritage City founded in 15th-century exhibiting unique architectural styles |
| Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai (2018) | Maharashtra | – 19th and 20th-century Gothic revival and Art Deco architectural creations in the growing port city |
| Jaipur City, Rajasthan (2019) | Rajasthan | – 18th century planned city founded as the capital of Amber kingdom exemplifying city planning and architecture |
| Dholavira: A Harappan City (2020) | Gujarat | – One of the largest and most prominent cities of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation dating 4000-1500 BCE |
| Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple (2021) | Telangana | – 13th-century engineering masterpiece of Kakatiya dynasty with splendid or |
| Santiniketan (2023) | West Bengal | – It is the cultural and educational centre established by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore |
| The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala (2023) | Karnataka | The famed Hoysala temples of Belur, Halebid and Somananthpura in Karnataka were constructed during the 12th and 13th centuries. – Hoysala temples maintain a fundamental Dravidian morphology, they exhibit substantial influences from the Bhumija style prevalent in Central India, the Nagara traditions of northern and western India, and the Karnataka Dravida modes favoured by the Kalyani Chalukyas |
| Modiams (2024) | Assam | A 700-year-old burial mounds of the Ahom dynasty in Assam, marking first cultural site from northeastern state |
| Maratha Military Landscapes of India (2025) | Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu | The inscription includes 12 historic forts spread across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, such as: Raigad, Rajgad, Shivneri, Pratapgad, Vijaydurg, Panhala, Suvarnadurg, Sindhudurg, Lohgad, Salher, Khanderi (Maharashtra) Gingee Fort (Tamil Nadu) |
| Site | Location | Significance |
| Kaziranga National Park (1985) | Assam | – Home of the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinocero |
| Keoladeo National Park (1985) | Rajasthan | – Important man-made wetland providing refuge to migratory waterbirds |
| Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985) | Assam | – Critical tiger habitat representing biodiversity of Eastern Himalayas |
| Sundarbans National Park (1987) | West Bengal | – Largest estuarine mangrove forest globally endangered by rising sea levels |
| Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988, 2005) | Uttarakhand | – Contrasting alpine wildflower meadow and rugged glacial wilderness protecting diverse flora and fauna |
| Western Ghats (2012) | Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra | – Mountain range running parallel to western coast recognized for high endemism and biodiversity |
| Great Himalayan National Park (2014) | Himachal Pradesh | – Diverse ecosystems and biodiversity of the Great Himalayas, including glaciers, alpine meadows and forest wildlife |
| Site | Location | Cultural Significance | Natural Signficane |
| Khangchendzonga National Park- (2016) | Sikkim | – Associated with indigenous Sikkimese culture and the sacred meaning of the mountain peak | – Protects a huge range of eastern Himalayan biodiversity across different vegetation zones from subtropical to alpine meadows |
On July 3, 2025, House Republicans narrowly passed the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ with a 218–214 vote — a major legislative win for President Donald Trump.
The first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival will be held at Dal Lake in Srinagar from 21st to 23rd August 2025, as announced by Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.
The three-day event will feature five water sports:
Over 400 athletes from 36 States and Union Territories are expected to participate in this open-age national competition.
Central Government Schemes List, important for competitive exams with PDF, updated up to 2025 are compiled below. The GK information about Govt Scheme, launch date, purpose is useful for preparation of upcoming exams.
| Scheme Name | Launched | Purpose | Remarks |
| Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana | August 28, 2014 by Ministry of Finance | at least one bank account in all households | Accident insurance of Rs.2 Lakh |
| Make in India | 25 September | Promotion of manufacturing in the country | – |
| Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana | 22nd January, 2015 by Ministry of Women and Child Development | To Promote gender equality and increase sex ratio | – |
| Prime Minister ‘MUDRA’ Scheme (Micro Unit Development and Refinance Agency) | April 8, 2015 | To Provide financial and to provide loans (types-Shishu, Kishor and Tarun) for micro enterprises sector. There is a provision to give loans up to Rs 50 thousands under Shishu, Rs 5 Lakh under Kishor and Rs 10 lakh under Tarun. | – |
| Atal Pension Yojana | 9th May, 2015 by Ministry of Finance | Under this scheme, any person in the age groups of 18 to 40 years can get a pension of I thousands on the basis of the amount deposited by him in the bank. | – |
| Digital India Mission | 1st July, 2015 | To make all government services available t o the public electronically | – |
| Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana | 25th July, 2015 | to electrify all the villages, improve the financial condition of the distribution companies and do proper monitoring | – |
| Pradhan Mantri Uijwala Yojana | 1st May, 2016 | to provide free LPG connection to BPL families | – |
| Varistha Pension Bima Yojana | January 1, 2017 by Life Corporation of India (LIC) | Guaranteed interest rate for 10 years to senior citizens aged 60 years and above will be 8% | – |
| Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana- Ayushman Bharat | 23rd September, 2018 From Ranchi (Jharkhand) | To provide free cashless health facility up to 5 Lac. | – |
| PM-Kisa Samman Nidhi Scheme | February 1, 2019 by Piyush Goyal | Rs. 6000 direct income support to all farmers. | This assistance will be transferred directly to the account of farmers in three equal installments of Rs. 2000 each. |
| Agneepath Announcment | Jue 14, 2022 | Qualification- 10th-12th pass (Age-17.5 to 23 years) Under this, youth will be recruited in all the three services (land, water, air) for 4 years, which will be called ‘Agniveer’. | On Completion of four years, Agniveer will be paid Rs 11.71 Lakh under the service, Agniveers Rifles. Also 25% of Agniveers will be selected permanently on the basics of merit. 4600 thousands Agniveers will be recruited will be recruited in the first year. |
| Agneepath Announcement | June 14, 2022 | – | On Completion of four years, Agniveer will be paid Rs. 11.71 Lakh under the service, Agniveer Riffles. Also 25%of Agniveer will be selected permanently on the basics of merit. 4500 thousands Agniveers will be recruited the first year. |
| PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana | February 13, 2024 (by PM Modi) | Under this, solar panels will be installed on the rooftops of 1 crore houses, from which up to 300 unites of free electricity will be available every month. | Under this, there is also a provision of subsidy up to Rs 78000. |
Q. Which honour was conferred upon PM Modi during his visit to Ghana in July 2025?
A) Order of Africa
B) Commander of the Golden Star
C) Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana
D) Star of Africa
Q. Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of which community?
A) Hinduism
B) Tibetan Buddhism
C) Jainism
D) Zen Buddhism
Q. Who is the current and 14th Dalai Lama?
A) Lobsang Sangay
B) Tenzin Gyatso
C) Gyalwa Rinpoche
D) Penpa Tsering
The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, believed to be the reincarnation of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The current 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was born in 1935 and recognized at age 2. He fled to India in 1959 after a failed uprising and now lives in exile in Dharamshala, advocating for peace and Tibetan autonomy.
As the 14th Dalai Lama turns 90 in 2025, the question of succession is both spiritual and geopolitical.
🌏 Why It Matters
PM Narendra Modi undertook an 8-day (July 2–9, 2025) visit to Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.
Ghana 🇬🇭:
First Indian PM visit in 30+ years. Awarded Ghana’s highest civilian honour. Announced more scholarships and cooperation in health, agriculture, and defence.
Trinidad & Tobago 🇹🇹:
First Indian PM to visit since 1999. Met leaders and celebrated 180 years of Indian heritage. Focus on digital infra and trade.
Argentina 🇦🇷:
First Indian PM visit in 57 years. Met President Javier Milei, boosting ties in energy, agriculture, tech, and critical minerals.
Brazil 🇧🇷:
Attended 17th BRICS Summit. Discussed climate, governance, and South-South cooperation with President Lula da Silva.
Namibia 🇳🇦:
First visit by Indian PM. Addressed Parliament; agreed on UPI, education, and trade partnerships.
INS Tamal Commissioned in Russia – A Boost to Indian Navy’s Strength
Q. Who won the gold medal in U-15 Girls’ Singles at the 29th Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships 2025?
a) Liu Ziling
b) Zhu Qihi
c) Divyanshi Bhowmick
d) P.B. Abhinand
Q. What is the total outlay of the Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme approved by the Union Cabinet on 1 July 2025?
a) ₹50,000 crore
b) ₹1 lakh crore
c) ₹2 lakh crore
d) ₹75,000 crore
Q. What is the name of the new Indian Railways app launched on 1 July 2025?
a) RailConnect
b) RailOne
c) RailMate
d) UTSonMobile
Q. What is the name of the advanced stealth frigate that was commissioned on 1 July 2025 at Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia?
a) INS Vikrant
b) INS Talwar
c) INS Tamal
d) INS Shivalik
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the RailOne app on 1 July 2025 as a unified platform for all passenger services.
Key features include ticket booking (including unreserved tickets), train enquiry, PNR status, journey planning, Rail Madad, and food ordering.
Key Cabinet Decisions – 1 July 2025 :
₹1 lakh crore Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme approved to create over 3.5 crore jobs in 2 years.
Research Development and Innovation Scheme with ₹1 lakh crore corpus approved to boost private sector R&D investment. Managed by Anusandhan National Research Foundation, chaired by the Prime Minister.
National Sports Policy 2025 approved to position India among top 5 sporting nations. Focus on grassroots to elite training, infrastructure, leagues, and sports tourism.
₹1,853 crore Paramakudi–Ramanathapuram 4-lane highway project in Tamil Nadu approved. 46.7 km stretch to enhance religious tourism and economic connectivity to Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi.
India’s Divyanshi Bhowmick won gold in U-15 Girls’ Singles at the 29th Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships in Tashkent, defeating China’s Zhu Qihi 4-2 on 1 July 2025. With this win, she also qualified for the World Youth Championships.
India finished with one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals.
The Ministry of Railways has announced the rationalisation of passenger train fares effective from July 1, 2025, aiming to streamline fare structures and improve the financial viability of operations while maintaining affordability.
Q. From which date will the revised Indian Railways fare structure come into effect in 2025?
A) June 30
B) July 1
C) July 15
D) August 1
✅ Answer: B) July 1
Every year on June 29, India celebrates Statistics Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, widely regarded as the Father of Indian Statistics. This observance, initiated in 2007 by the Government of India, highlights the critical role of statistics in shaping public policy, economic planning, and evidence-based governance.
Statistics Day serves as a reminder of how data drives decisions in sectors like health, education, agriculture, and employment. It promotes statistical literacy, especially among youth, and encourages the use of data for inclusive and sustainable development.
This year’s theme celebrates the 75th anniversary of the National Sample Survey (NSS), a cornerstone of India’s statistical infrastructure. The NSS has been instrumental in collecting reliable socio-economic data that informs government programs and policy frameworks.
Born in 1893, Mahalanobis pioneered the Mahalanobis distance, founded the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in 1931, and played a key role in India’s Second Five-Year Plan. His work laid the foundation for modern statistical systems in India, including the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) and Central Statistical Organisation (CSO).
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) marks the day with:
Q. Who became the first Indian to win a BWF World Tour title in 2025?
A) Lakshya Sen
B) Kidambi Srikanth
C) Ayush Shetty
D) Prannoy H.S.
Q. Who has been appointed as the Secretary of RAW from July 1, 2025?
A) Ravi Sinha
B) Rakesh Asthana
C) Parag Jain
D) Samant Goel
Q. On which date in 2025 did the southwest monsoon officially cover the entire country, marking one of the fastest advances since 1960?
A) June 20
B) June 25
C) June 29
D) July 5
Q. When is Statistics Day celebrated in India?
A) July 15
B) June 21
C) June 29
D) July 1
On June 29, 2025, the southwest monsoon officially covered the entire country—nine days ahead of schedule, marking one of the fastest advances since 1960. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed its progression into the remaining parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi.
Agricultural Boost and Economic Implications
This early onset is expected to benefit kharif crop sowing, especially in central and northwest India, which have already received 24% to 37% excess rainfall compared to normal levels. With over 138 lakh hectares already under cultivation, farmers are optimistic about a strong start to the season.
Extreme Weather and Safety Concerns
However, the monsoon’s rapid advance has also triggered severe weather events. A cloudburst in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, led to two deaths and seven missing persons, prompting authorities to halt the Char Dham Yatra temporarily. Himachal Pradesh has reported 20 rain-related fatalities since June 20, with landslides and flash floods disrupting transport and daily life.
Looking Ahead
The IMD has issued red alerts for heavy rainfall across multiple states, including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jharkhand, through July 1. While the rains bring much-needed relief from heat and support agriculture, they also demand heightened vigilance in vulnerable regions.
On July 1, 2025, Parag Jain, a 1989-batch IPS officer from Punjab cadre, took charge as the new Secretary of RAW (Research and Analysis Wing), India’s external intelligence agency. His appointment reflects a strategic leadership shift in India’s intelligence setup amid growing regional and global security concerns.
Jain is known for blending HUMINT (human intelligence) and TECHINT (technical intelligence) in critical operations such as the Balakot airstrike, abrogation of Article 370, and the high-precision Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK.
With past roles in J&K and Punjab, and international experience in Canada and Sri Lanka (countering the Khalistan network), Jain brings operational depth to his new role. His two-year fixed term begins as India faces threats like cross-border terrorism, hybrid warfare, and China-Pakistan coordination.
In Badminton, 20-year-old Ayush Shetty made history by becoming the first Indian to win a BWF World Tour title in 2025, clinching the US Open 2025 on 29 June 2025.
In women’s singles, 16-year-old Tanvi Sharma finished as runner-up after losing to top seed Beiwen Zhang in a close three-game match: 11-21, 21-16, 10-21. It was Tanvi’s first BWF World Tour final, and she impressed with her resilience despite the loss.
On June 27, 2025, India categorically rejected a “supplemental award” issued by a Court of Arbitration constituted under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960. The award pertained to the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu & Kashmir.
Q. Where was the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting 2025 held on June 26, in which India refused to sign the joint declaration?
A) Beijing
B) New Delhi
C) Qingdao
D) Tashkent
Q. Which two hydroelectric projects are at the center of the Indus Waters Treaty dispute?
A) Baglihar and Uri
B) Kishenganga and Ratle
C) Sardar Sarovar and Tehri
D) Dulhasti and Salal
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting held on June 26, 2025, in Qingdao, China:
Q. When is the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking observed?
A) June 21
B) June 25
C) June 26
D) July 1
Q. In which city will the Khelo India University Games 2025 be held?
A) Patna
B) Delhi
C) Jaipur
D) Bhopal
Q. Where was the NATO Summit 2025 held?
A) Brussels, Belgium
B) The Hague, Netherlands
C) Berlin, Germany
D) Paris, France
Dates: June 24–25, 2025
Host: The Netherlands (first time ever)
Venue: World Forum, The Hague
Theme: Strengthening deterrence, unity, and industrial resilience
The summit underscored NATO’s evolution from a Cold War alliance to a dynamic force confronting 21st-century threats—from AI and cyber warfare to geopolitical instability. The Hague 2025 may well be remembered as a turning point in NATO’s strategic posture.
The Khelo India University Games 2025 will be held in November 2025 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, as announced by Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.
Dr. Mandaviya emphasized that the University Games follow the Khelo India Youth Games for under-18 athletes, which were held in Bihar in May 2025, continuing the government’s mission to nurture sports talent at all levels.
Observed on: June 26
Theme for 2025: “Break the Cycle. #StopOrganizedCrime”
Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987, this day underscores the global commitment to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking. It aims to raise awareness about the devastating impact of drugs on individuals, families, and communities, while promoting international cooperation for a drug-free world.
This year’s theme emphasizes the need to disrupt the link between drug trafficking and organized crime. It calls for:
India observes this day through initiatives like:
In Athletics, two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra clinched the Javelin Throw title at the Ostrava Golden Spike 2025 meet in the Czech Republic on 25 June 2025. The 27-year-old Indian athlete secured the gold medal with a best throw of 85.29 metres.
This marks Neeraj’s second consecutive win, following his remarkable 90.23-metre throw at the Paris Diamond League last week—his first-ever throw beyond 90 metres.
Neeraj Chopra’s next event will be the Neeraj Chopra Classic, India’s first global javelin competition, scheduled for 5 July 2025 at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru.
Q. From which academic year will CBSE implement the two-term board exam system for Class 10?
A) 2025 academic year
B) 2026 academic year
C) 2027 academic year
D) 2028 academic year
Q. Who is the first Indian to visit NASA’s orbiting laboratory, the International Space Station (ISS)?
A) Rakesh Sharma
B) Kalpana Chawla
C) Shubhanshu Shukla
D) Sunita Williams
Q. The book released on 25 June 2025 titled “The Emergency Diaries – Years that Forged a Leader” explores the role of which leader during the Emergency?
A) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
B) Jayaprakash Narayan
C) Narendra Modi
D) Lal Krishna Advani
Q. Who won the Javelin Gold at the Ostrava Golden Spike 2025 in June 2025?
A) Anderson Peters
B) Johannes Vetter
C) Douw Smit
D) Neeraj Chopra
On 25 June 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah released the book “The Emergency Diaries – Years that Forged a Leader”, which explores Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s role during the Emergency as a young RSS Pracharak.
The book is divided into five chapters and examines how the 1975–77 Emergency shaped Modi’s understanding of state power, political mobilization, and the importance of a healthy opposition.
It presents the Emergency as a critical turning point in India’s democratic journey, highlighting the threat to civil liberties and institutional independence under a centralized and dynastic rule.
The book quotes Modi’s reflections, emphasizing:
It concludes that remembering the Emergency is essential as a reminder of the need to safeguard democracy and resist any erosion of constitutional freedoms.
The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, carrying Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) today at 4:30 PM IST, according to ISRO.
With this mission, Shukla becomes the first Indian to visit NASA’s orbiting laboratory ISS and the second Indian in history to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma who flew in 1984 aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft.
The Axiom-4 crew launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 12:01 PM IST on 25 June 2025, and includes:
Shukla, born on 10 October 1985 in Lucknow, joined the Indian Air Force in 2006 as a fighter pilot and has over 2,000 hours of flying experience on aircraft such as MiGs, Sukhois, Dorniers, Jaguars, and Hawks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the mission, saying Shukla carries the hopes of 1.4 billion Indians. In Lucknow, his parents watched the launch with local students amid celebrations.
While on the two-week mission aboard the ISS, the Ax-4 crew will conduct 60 scientific experiments, including seven from India. Key experiments by ISRO include studying the effects of microgravity on biology and six varieties of crop seeds.
Shukla’s flight marks India’s return to space after 41 years, and highlights the growing international collaboration in human spaceflight.