PIB Summary - 31st July 2025 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Leap Beyond: Elevating India’s Space Saga

Introduction

• India’s journey in space exploration has transformed from modest beginnings to a position of global leadership, marked by significant milestones, policy reforms, and innovative missions.

Modest Beginnings to Global Leadership

India’s venture into space began in 1963 with the launch of its first sounding rocket from Thumba, Kerala. This marked the start of a long journey towards becoming a global leader in space technology.

• In 1975, India launched Aryabhata, its first satellite, with the help of the Soviet Union. This was a significant step in establishing India’s presence in space.
• Today, India has become a prominent player in the global space industry, having launched over 400 foreign satellites for 34 countries. This achievement is a testament to India’s cost-effective launch capabilities, particularly through vehicles like the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

Policy Reforms and Strategic Shift Since 2014

• Since 2014, India has implemented significant policy reforms in its space sector, opening up opportunities for the private sector and fostering international collaborations.
• The India Space Policy 2023 has clearly defined the roles of various organizations: ISRO is focused on research and development, NSIL on commercial activities, and IN-SPACe on regulatory and facilitative functions.
• In 2024, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) regulations were liberalized, allowing 100% FDI in satellite manufacturing and operations, and up to 49% in launch vehicles and spaceports. This has led to the emergence of over 328 space startups in India, creating a vibrant space-tech ecosystem.

Landmark Missions and Achievements

• NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is set to launch on 30 July 2025. This mission, the first collaboration between NASA and ISRO for Earth observation, will utilize dual-frequency radar to monitor various Earth changes, including forest biomass and coastal alterations.
• Axiom Mission-4 marks a significant milestone with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS). This mission, part of a collaborative effort with Poland and Hungary, involves various scientific experiments in microgravity.
• Gaganyaan Programme aims for India’s first independent human spaceflight by Q1 2027, including astronaut training and the development of essential components like the Crew Escape System.
• Chandrayaan Missions have established India’s expertise in lunar exploration, with Chandrayaan-1 discovering water on the Moon and Chandrayaan-3 achieving a successful soft landing near the lunar south pole. Chandrayaan-4 is planned as a sample-return mission.
• Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) made India the first Asian country to reach Mars on its first attempt, known for its cost-effectiveness.
• Solar Exploration through the Aditya L-1 mission, launched in 2017, involves monitoring solar activities and has recently captured rare solar flare events.

Next-Generation Technologies

• India has become the fourth nation to demonstrate space docking, enabling capabilities like refueling and payload transfers in space, a step towards self-sustaining space stations.
• The Next Gen Launch Vehicles (NGLV) aim for a reusable first stage capable of carrying 30,000 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), enhancing launch efficiency and capacity.
• The Orbital Re-entry Vehicle (ORV) project, currently under testing, involves a winged body design for horizontal runway landings, showcasing advancements in re-entry technologies.

Global Collaborations and Commercial Engagements

• India has established key partnerships with various international space agencies and organizations, enhancing its global collaboration in space exploration and technology.
• NASA is collaborating with ISRO on the NISAR mission for Earth observation.
• Axiom Space is involved in human spaceflight missions, including Axiom Mission-4, where an Indian astronaut will visit the International Space Station (ISS).
• France’s CNES is partnering with ISRO on the TRISHNA mission, focusing on infrared resource monitoring.
• Japan’s JAXA is working with ISRO on the LUPEX lunar rover mission, aiming to explore the Moon’s surface.
• European Space Agency (ESA) has collaborated with ISRO on the Proba-3 mission, launched aboard ISRO’s PSLV.
• SpaceX/Starlink received a license to expand satellite broadband services in India, collaborating with local telecom operators like Airtel and Jio.

Communication & Navigation Missions

• NavIC is India’s regional satellite navigation system, comprising seven satellites in Geostationary and Geosynchronous Orbits. It provides accurate positioning services over India and a 1500 km radius, with applications in various sectors including military, agriculture, and disaster management.
• GSAT-N2 is a high-capacity communication satellite scheduled for launch in 2025, offering a bandwidth of 48 Gbps. It is being built by NSIL and will be launched using SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket.

Defence and Debris-Free Initiatives

• Mission Shakti, conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in 2019, demonstrated India’s capability to destroy satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), showcasing the country’s anti-satellite (A-SAT) technology.
• Debris-Free Space Missions (DFSM) is an initiative launched in 2024, aiming for all Indian space missions to achieve 99% debris-free compliance by 2030. This includes strategies for tracking, controlled re-entry, and de-orbiting of space debris, managed by the Indian Space Flight Operations and Management (IS4OM) agency.

Investment & Budget Growth

• The space budget of India has seen significant growth, tripling from ₹5,615 crore in 2013-14 to ₹13,416 crore in 2025-26.
• Over the past 11 years, ISRO has achieved 100 successful launches, with an increasing trend of private sector-led launches facilitated by organizations like NSIL and IN-SPACe.

Upcoming Missions in 2025

• PSLV-C61/EOS-09: This upcoming mission involves the launch of a microwave C-band radar imaging satellite, showcasing advancements in Earth observation technology.
• TV-D2: This mission is part of the Gaganyaan programme, focusing on an abort test with a full Crew Module recovery, a crucial step in ensuring the safety and success of future crewed spaceflights.
• LVM3-M5: This mission involves a commercial launch for AST SpaceMobile, a company based in the USA, highlighting the increasing collaboration and commercial engagement in the global space industry.
• Future Missions: India is also planning several high-profile missions, including Chandrayaan-4, a Venus mission, Mangalyaan-2, and the continuation of the Gaganyaan programme. These missions reflect India’s commitment to expanding its capabilities and presence in various areas of space exploration.

Strategic Vision: Space Vision 2047

• The Space Vision 2047 outlines India’s ambitious goals for the future, including the establishment of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035, a crewed lunar mission by 2040, and various interplanetary missions to Venus and Mars.
• Public-Private Synergy: The vision emphasizes a full spectrum public-private synergy in space activities, embedded in India’s broader goal of becoming a global technology and knowledge powerhouse during the Amrit Kaal period.

Conclusion

•  India’s space journey is marked by a significant transformation from Earth observation to human spaceflight, driven by government reforms, private sector innovation, and international collaboration. 
•  The country is committed to the peaceful, sustainable, and inclusive use of space, with future missions like Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan-4 poised to further enhance its capabilities and leadership in the global space arena. 
•  India’s focus on low-cost, high-impact innovations positions it as a leading spacefaring nation, shaping the future of global space exploration and technology. 

Rashtriya Gokul Mission

Background and Objectives

• Launched by: Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India
• Objective: Conservation and development of indigenous bovine breeds, genetic upgradation, and enhancement of milk productivity and production.

Key Achievements (2014–15 to 2023–24)

Increase in Bovine Productivity

• Overall bovine productivity increased from 1640 kg/animal/year to 2072 kg/animal/year, marking a 26.34% increase, the highest globally.
• Indigenous and non-descript cattle productivity rose from 927 kg/animal/year to 1292 kg/animal/year, a 39.37% increase.
• Buffalo productivity improved from 1880 kg/animal/year to 2161 kg/animal/year, a 14.94% increase.

Surge in Milk Production

• Milk output increased from 146.31 million tonnes (2014–15) to 239.30 million tonnes (2023–24), a 63.55% increase over the decade.

Future Target (Vision 2030)

• The Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) aims to boost bovine milk productivity to 3000 kg/animal/year by 2030.

Major Components and Interventions

1. Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme (NAIP)

• Focus: Rural areas with < 50%="" ai="" coverage="">
• Services: Free doorstep AI with High Genetic Merit (HGM) bulls, including indigenous breeds
• Impact (as of July 2025):
  • 9.16 crore animals covered
  • 14.12 crore AIs performed
  • 5.54 crore farmers benefited

2. Progeny Testing & Pedigree Selection

• Goal: Breed and select high genetic merit bulls, especially from native breeds
• Indigenous cattle breeds supported: Gir, Sahiwal, Tharparkar, Kankrej, Hariana, Rathi, Gaolao
• Buffalo breeds supported: Murrah, Mehsana, Jaffarabadi, Pandharpuri, Nili Ravi
• Outcome: 4343 high genetic merit bulls produced and provided to semen stations

3. Accelerated Breed Improvement

• Tools used: In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Sex-sorted semen
• Purpose: Rapid genetic upgradation including for indigenous breeds

4. Genomic Selection

• Aim: Faster and more precise breeding of superior indigenous cattle and buffaloes using DNA-based selection

5. Human Resource Development

• Training rural youth as: Multipurpose AI Technicians in Rural India (MAITRIs)
• Status (as of July 2025): 38,736 technicians trained and equipped to deliver AI services

Strategic Significance

• Boosts India’s Position: Solidifies India’s role as the largest milk producer globally
• Rural Income Support: Enhances farmers’ livelihoods, especially smallholders
• Breed Conservation: Ensures sustainable use of native genetic resources
• Technological Integration: Incorporates AI, IVF, Genomics to modernize livestock rearing
• Inclusivity: Delivers doorstep services, particularly in underserved rural districts

Conclusion

• The Rashtriya Gokul Mission is a transformative initiative that integrates genetic science, rural capacity building, and indigenous breed conservation.
•  It has led to unprecedented productivity gains and contributes significantly to India’s agri-dairy resilience and rural economy. 
•  The ambitious goal of reaching 3000 kg/animal/year productivity by 2030 reflects a bold vision supported by sustained policy efforts and technological advancements.