Gaganyaan Parachute System: 2 Drogue & 3 Main Chutes with Multi-Stage Reefing for Safe Re-entry

Parliamentary Panel Recommends MDO Entry in Uranium Mining; India's 3-Stage Nuclear Plan to Thorium

The Parliamentary Committee on Atomic Energy has recommended allowing Mine Developer-cum-Operator (MDO) participation in uranium mining under DAE oversight to meet India's growing fuel demand for indigenous PHWRs. India currently imports uranium from Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Canada, and aims to expand nuclear capacity from 8.7 GWe to 100 GWe by 2047. The three-stage nuclear program aims to transition from uranium to thorium for long-term energy self-sufficiency.

Gaganyaan Crew Module to Use Ablative Heat Shield for Re-entry Speeds of 7,500-8,000 m/s

Gaganyaan's crew module faces extreme heat (7,500-8,000 m/s) during re-entry. An ablative thermal protection system (TPS) is critical to prevent melting. This article explains the working of the TPS and why it is essential for the mission's success.

AI-Driven Cyber Threats Rise: India 2nd Most Attacked Nation, AI Agents Find Zero-Day Flaws

The article highlights how AI is transforming cyber threats—from automated reconnaissance to AI-generated polymorphic malware and autonomous zero-day vulnerability discovery. For India, already among the most targeted nations, the lag in indigenous AI capabilities poses a critical national security risk, demanding integrated AI-cybersecurity policymaking.

India's First Private Orbital Rocket Vikram-1 Launched July 18; Gaganyaan Parachute Test Qualified

India's first privately developed orbital rocket Vikram-1, built by Skyroot Aerospace, was successfully launched on July 18, 2026, from Sriharikota under 'Mission Aagaman', making India only the third country globally to achieve private orbital launch capability. The article also covers new IN-SPACe re-entry guidelines, Gaganyaan mission progress (SOLVE motor test, IMAT-05 parachute test, crew module qualification), and a Tracxn report revealing SpaceTech funding concentration. Critical for UPSC: space sector reforms, private participation, and ISRO's human spaceflight milestones.

IN-SPACe Releases Planned Re-entry Guidelines: Safety Threshold 1 in 10,000, Mandates Third-Party Liability Insurance

IN-SPACe has released new guidelines for planned re-entry of space objects, establishing a safety threshold of 1 in 10,000 risk to humans and mandating third-party liability insurance for private operators. This is crucial for India's human spaceflight mission Gaganyaan and the growing private space sector.

KAVACH Version 4.0 Commissioned on SCR: India’s Indigenous Automatic Train Protection System Explained

KAVACH, India's indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, has been upgraded to Version 4.0 and commissioned on the South Central Railway's Malkajgiri–Kamareddi section over 108 route km. This is crucial for UPSC as it touches infrastructure, safety technology, and comparisons with global systems like ETCS, ATC, and PTC. The article also links to Sam Pitroda committee recommendations on railway modernisation.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Approves Transfer of DRDO Conventional Missile Tech to Indian Industry

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the transfer of DRDO-developed conventional missile system technologies to Indian defence industry for domestic production. This move aims to boost self-reliance, enhance MSME participation, and strengthen the defence industrial base under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

India Finalises Javelin ATGM Deal via US FMS After 16-Year Process; Co-Production with BDL in Focus

India has finally signed the Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the US-made Javelin anti-tank guided missiles after a 16-year procurement struggle. The deal, routed through Foreign Military Sales, shifts focus to co-assembly and co-production with Bharat Dynamics Limited, while the indigenous MPATGM programme also matures. For exams, remember the chronology: 2010 Javelin attempt → 2014 pivot to Spike → 2017 cancellation → 2019 emergency Spike-LR → 2025 Javelin revival.