India’s Space Programme 2025–26: Achievements, Challenges and the Road to Bharatiya Antariksh Station
By Home Academy
Between early 2025 and early 2026, India’s space programme entered a decisive phase marked by bold ambitions, cutting-edge missions, strategic international cooperation, and a few critical setbacks. Under the leadership of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the country steadily moved closer to its long-term vision of establishing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and landing an Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2040. This period is extremely important from an examination point of view as it combines current affairs with science and technology concepts frequently asked in UPSC, SSC, State PSCs, JKSSB, and other competitive exams.
Human spaceflight remained at the centre of national attention during this phase. A historic milestone was achieved in June–July 2025 when Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to visit the International Space Station as part of the private Axiom-4 mission. This mission was not only symbolic but also strategically important, as it provided real-time astronaut training experience that directly supports India’s Gaganyaan programme. In August 2025, ISRO successfully conducted Integrated Air Drop Tests for the Gaganyaan crew module’s parachute-based deceleration system, a critical safety component for human spaceflight. Alongside this, preparations intensified for the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, which will test indigenous life-support systems and carry Vyommitra, the humanoid robot designed to simulate human presence in space.
India’s scientific exploration missions also delivered significant outcomes. Aditya-L1, India’s first solar observatory, completed one year in its halo orbit around the L1 Lagrange point on January 6, 2025. ISRO released its first comprehensive datasets, enhancing understanding of solar winds, solar flares, and space weather, all of which have direct implications for satellite safety and communication systems. The legacy of Chandrayaan-3 continued to grow, with new scientific analyses confirming that the Moon’s south polar region contains primitive mantle material, strengthening the case for future lunar exploration and resource utilisation. In parallel, ISRO advanced work on Chandrayaan-4, a sample return mission, and formalised cooperation with Japan’s JAXA for Chandrayaan-5, also known as the LUPEX mission, which aims to drill for water ice on the Moon—an essential resource for sustained human presence.
Astrophysics and Earth observation also remained strong pillars of India’s space activities. The X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat), launched in January 2024, continued to provide valuable data on cosmic X-ray sources, with public data access opening in late 2024, encouraging academic research. One of the most important international collaborations of this period was the launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite in July 2025. NISAR is designed to map Earth’s landmass with unprecedented precision, aiding disaster management, climate studies, and agricultural planning—topics increasingly relevant for exam questions linking space technology with governance and environment.
The year also reflected a mixed record in launch vehicle performance. On January 29, 2025, ISRO achieved a symbolic milestone by completing its 100th launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, using the GSLV-F15 mission carrying the NVS-02 navigation satellite. However, concerns arose when the otherwise reliable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) faced failures in May 2025 and again in January 2026. These incidents prompted renewed focus on quality control and systems reliability, an important reminder that technological leadership requires constant validation. At the same time, ISRO accelerated its transition towards the Next Generation Launch Vehicle, aimed at providing heavy-lift capability essential for space station modules and deep-space missions. The development of a dedicated launch site at Kulasekarapattinam for the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle further highlighted India’s intent to support the growing small satellite market.
Commercialisation and private sector participation gained strong momentum during this period. Indian startups such as Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos made notable progress in testing their launch systems, with Skyroot targeting its first orbital launch in early 2026. A landmark technological achievement came in January 2025 with the successful demonstration of space docking technology under the SpaDeX mission. This capability is crucial for future space station construction, on-orbit servicing, and complex interplanetary missions. To encourage greater global and domestic investment, the Government of India approved 100 percent Foreign Direct Investment in selected space sectors, signalling a shift towards a more open and competitive space ecosystem.
Looking ahead, ISRO’s roadmap is both ambitious and structured. Work has already begun on the first module of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, planned for launch in 2028, marking the beginning of India’s permanent human presence in low Earth orbit. Simultaneously, conceptual and preliminary design work is underway for a Venus orbiter mission, aimed at studying the planet’s atmosphere and surface characteristics. The ultimate long-term goal, clearly articulated by ISRO, is to land an Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2040, placing India among a select group of advanced spacefaring nations.
From an examination perspective, the 2025–26 phase of India’s space programme is highly significant. Questions may focus on missions like Aditya-L1, NISAR, Gaganyaan, SpaDeX, and Chandrayaan-4 and 5, as well as policy developments such as FDI in the space sector and the transition to next-generation launch vehicles. Understanding both achievements and challenges during this period provides a comprehensive picture of India’s evolving role in global space exploration, making this topic a must-study area for competitive exams.
MCQ QUESTION🙋
Which Indian astronaut became the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS) under a private mission in 2025?
A. Rakesh Sharma
B. Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair
C. Shubhanshu Shukla
D. Gagandeep Kang
Correct Answer: CThe Axiom-4 mission involving an Indian astronaut is significant mainly because it contributed to India’s preparation for which programme?
A. Chandrayaan
B. Aditya-L1
C. Gaganyaan
D. NISAR
Correct Answer: CThe Integrated Air Drop Tests (IADT) conducted by ISRO in August 2025 were related to which critical system of the Gaganyaan mission?
A. Heat shield system
B. Life support system
C. Parachute deceleration system
D. Navigation control system
Correct Answer: CThe humanoid robot “Vyommitra” is associated with which upcoming ISRO mission?
A. Chandrayaan-4
B. Aditya-L1
C. Uncrewed Gaganyaan mission
D. Venus Orbiter Mission
Correct Answer: CAditya-L1 spacecraft is placed in a halo orbit around which point?
A. Earth–Moon L2 point
B. Sun–Earth L1 point
C. Sun–Earth L2 point
D. Mars–Sun L1 point
Correct Answer: BScientific data from Chandrayaan-3 indicated the presence of primitive mantle materials in which region of the Moon?
A. Lunar equatorial region
B. Lunar far side
C. Lunar north pole
D. Lunar south polar region
Correct Answer: DChandrayaan-5, also known as LUPEX, is a joint mission between India and which country?
A. Russia
B. USA
C. France
D. Japan
Correct Answer: DThe primary objective of the Chandrayaan-5 (LUPEX) mission is to
A. map lunar gravity
B. study lunar atmosphere
C. drill and detect water ice on the Moon
D. deploy a lunar communication satellite
Correct Answer: CThe NISAR satellite launched in July 2025 is a joint project between ISRO and
A. ESA
B. Roscosmos
C. NASA
D. JAXA
Correct Answer: CThe main purpose of the NISAR mission is to
A. observe solar flares
B. study black holes
C. map Earth’s landmass using radar
D. monitor ocean currents
Correct Answer: CISRO achieved its 100th launch milestone from Sriharikota in January 2025 using which mission?
A. PSLV-C58
B. GSLV-F15 / NVS-02
C. SSLV-D3
D. LVM3-G1
Correct Answer: BWhich launch vehicle of ISRO faced failures in May 2025 and January 2026, raising concerns over reliability?
A. GSLV
B. LVM3
C. SSLV
D. PSLV
Correct Answer: DThe Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) is being developed mainly to support
A. small satellite launches
B. intercontinental missile systems
C. heavy-lift missions and space station modules
D. atmospheric research missions
Correct Answer: CThe new launch site at Kulasekarapattinam is primarily intended for launching
A. GSLV missions
B. human spaceflight missions
C. Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)
D. interplanetary probes
Correct Answer: CThe SpaDeX mission demonstrated which crucial space capability in January 2025?
A. Space tourism
B. Space docking
C. Reusable launch vehicle landing
D. Deep space communication
Correct Answer: BSpace docking technology is especially important for which future Indian project?
A. Venus Orbiter Mission
B. Bharatiya Antariksh Station
C. Aditya-L1
D. Astrosat-2
Correct Answer: BThe Government of India approved 100 percent Foreign Direct Investment in selected space sectors mainly to
A. reduce ISRO’s role
B. promote defence manufacturing
C. boost private sector participation
D. privatise launch centres
Correct Answer: CWhich Indian private space startup aims for its first orbital launch in early 2026?
A. Bellatrix Aerospace
B. Dhruva Space
C. Skyroot Aerospace
D. Pixxel
Correct Answer: CThe first module of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station is planned to be launched around
A. 2026
B. 2028
C. 2032
D. 2035
Correct Answer: BIndia’s long-term human spaceflight goal is to land an Indian astronaut on the Moon by
A. 2030
B. 2035
C. 2040
D. 2050
Correct Answer: C