ISRO Tests SOLVE Rocket for Gaganyaan Parachute Deceleration System at 10-17 km Altitude

NavIC Constellation Drops to 3 Satellites, Fails to Provide Standalone Positioning: Govt Accepts

ISRO's NavIC system has lost its ability to provide independent navigation services because only 3 of its 7 satellites are operational, falling short of the minimum 4 required. The government has admitted this in Parliament, though timing services and emergency messaging continue. This raises concerns about India's space-based navigation self-reliance, but the armed forces mitigate risk by using NavIC as part of a multi-constellation GNSS that includes GPS, Galileo, and Glonass.

New Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules 2026 Mandate IST Traceability for All Official Use

India has made Indian Standard Time (IST) legally enforceable under the Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026. All official and commercial systems must synchronize to IST traceable to CSIR-NPL. This reduces reliance on foreign GPS, improves cybersecurity, and enables 'One Nation, One Time'.

IAF Successfully Tests Indigenous Long-Range Glide Bomb Khagantak-243, Boosts Atmanirbhar Bharat

The Indian Air Force successfully conducted the drop trial of the indigenously designed Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB), Khagantak-243. This milestone enhances India's precision-strike capability from stand-off ranges, reducing dependence on imports and aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. For exam aspirants, this is a key data point for defence modernisation and indigenous technology questions.

18th BRICS Summit New Delhi Declaration: RSSC Expansion, Space Debris, PAROS Working Group

The 18th BRICS Summit adopted the New Delhi Declaration, underscoring progress in expanding the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation (RSSC) to include new space agencies, strengthening space debris mitigation efforts, and advancing discussions on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) via an open-ended working group. This highlights deepening BRICS cooperation in space technology and security, a key area for UPSC International Relations and Science & Technology segments.

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.

ISRO Successfully Launches EOS-05, India's First Geo-Orbit Imaging Satellite (2367 kg) via GSLV-F17

ISRO has successfully launched the EOS-05 satellite, India's first imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit, using GSLV-F17. This marks a comeback after launch failures in 2025-26 and replaces the failed EOS-03 mission. The satellite will provide real-time strategic imagery for national activities.

ISRO Launches EOS-05: India's First Geosynchronous Earth-Imaging Satellite for Strategic & Disaster Monitoring

ISRO has successfully launched EOS-05, India's first earth-imaging satellite placed in geosynchronous orbit. Unlike polar-orbiting satellites, it can continuously observe the same area, making it invaluable for real-time disaster response (floods, cyclones, forest fires), agricultural monitoring, and strategic security applications. This marks a significant leap in India's space-based surveillance capabilities.

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.