GS 3 – Science and Technology
Context:
On 23 August 2025, National Space Day was celebrated at Bharat Mandapam, Delhi, highlighting India’s expanding role in global space endeavours, student innovations, and the nation’s roadmap for space exploration leading up to 2047.
- Vision: Viksit Bharat 2047 from the Moon
- Announcement by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister for Science & Technology:
- An Indian astronaut will declare “Viksit Bharat 2047” from the Moon in 2040, symbolising India’s arrival on the global scientific stage.
- The initiative aligns with India’s long-term development vision and scientific prowess.
- 15-Year Indian Space Roadmap
- Developed through National Meet 2.0, building on insights from the 2015 Mega User Meet.
- Scope:
- Launch of 100+ satellites over 15 years, with 70% being small satellites.
- Combination of government-led missions and private sector-led operational missions.
- Objectives:
- Support Viksit Bharat vision using space technology for:
- Food and water security
- Disaster resilience
- Environmental sustainability
- Inclusive growth
- Support Viksit Bharat vision using space technology for:
- Reflects a transformative phase, moving from symbolic achievements to tangible societal impact.
- Role of Private Sector
- Private players now actively contribute to:
- Indigenous technology development
- Interplanetary exploration
- Governance applications (disaster management, infrastructure monitoring, urban planning, land mapping)
- Hundreds of start-ups engaged in space technology innovations.
- Student Innovation and Competitions
- Bharatiya Antariksh Hackathon 2025:
- 61,000+ students, 8,744 teams participated
- Focus: Geospatial technologies, space science, image processing, AI/ML
- Grand finale: 30 teams showcased solutions; 3 winners selected
- ISRO Robotics Challenge – URSC 2025:
- Theme: “Fly me on Mars”
- Task: Design autonomous aerial navigation systems in GPS-denied environments
- Significance:
- Provides hands-on exposure
- Supports India’s long-term vision for interplanetary capabilities
- Human Spaceflight Programmes
- Gaganyaan Mission (2027): First human spaceflight
- Chandramitra (2028) and Chandrayaan-4 planned
- Mission to Venus under preparation
- Proposed Bharat Antariksh Station (2035)
- Goal: Place an astronaut on the Moon by 2040
Gaganyaan Astronauts Preparing:
- IAF Group Captains: Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Pratap
- Wing Commander: Shubhanshu Shukla
- Achievements and National Pride
- India’s space journey spans from Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan, combining ancient wisdom with modern innovation.
- ISRO and Indian astronauts contribute to:
- Life sciences
- Biotechnology
- Societal welfare and global scientific progress
- India is increasingly seen as a trusted partner in international space missions.