India's space sector has transitioned from a government-led initiative to a global powerhouse. Key milestones include Chandrayaan-3's lunar south pole landing and the Aditya-L1 mission. Future goals involve the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission (targeted for 2027), a dedicated space station by 2035, and a manned lunar landing by 2040. The sector is opening to private players, with over 350 startups and a significantly increased budget. International collaborations, such as the NISAR mission with NASA and LUPEX with JAXA, underscore India's role as a global partner in space exploration and climate monitoring.
India became the first nation to land near the lunar south pole with the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
The Gaganyaan mission aims to achieve India's first indigenous human spaceflight, currently targeted for 2027.
The space budget has nearly tripled from ₹5,615 crore in 2013-14 to ₹13,416 crore in 2025-26.
Exam Points
National Space Day is celebrated on August 23 to commemorate Chandrayaan-3's landing.
The NISAR mission is a collaborative project between NASA (USA) and ISRO (India).
LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration) is a joint mission between ISRO and JAXA (Japan).
The U.S. has proposed a 100% tariff on branded and patented pharmaceutical imports, posing a significant challenge to India, the 'pharmacy of the world.' India's $50 billion pharma sector contributes 1.72% to its GDP and supplies 40% of U.S. generics. To mitigate risks, India has implemented GST rationalization for drugs (dropping from 12% to 5%) and is promoting domestic manufacturing through PLI schemes. The API sector is projected to grow significantly, reaching ₹1.82 trillion by 2030. Diversification into African and Southeast Asian markets is also being prioritized to offset tariff risks.
India supplies 40% of U.S. generic drugs, saving the U.S. healthcare system approximately $219 billion in 2022.
Proposed 100% U.S. tariffs could impact India's $50 billion pharmaceutical sector, which contributes 1.72% to national GDP.
GST on many drugs and medicines was reduced from 12% to 5% effective September 22, 2025, to provide domestic ballast.
Exam Points
India's pharmaceutical sector contributes approximately 1.72% to the national GDP.
The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) has opened over 16,912 Kendras as of June 2025.
India's API sector is projected to grow to ₹1.82 trillion by 2030.
This article critiques the current legal framework for motor accident compensation in India, which often values lives based on earning capacity. It highlights that the 'multiplier method' used by tribunals can lead to lower compensation for homemakers, children, and informal workers compared to high-earning professionals. The author argues this violates Article 14 (Equality) and Article 21 (Right to Life with Dignity) of the Constitution. A proposed solution is a 'dignity floor'—a universal baseline payment for all victims, supplemented by income-linked additions to ensure fairness and social justice in the legal system.
Current compensation models often discriminate against non-earning individuals like homemakers and children by using 'notional income'.
The 'multiplier method' calculates compensation based on the victim's annual income, age, and fixed standard categories.
The author argues that valuing life solely on income violates the constitutional promise of equality under Article 14.
Exam Points
Article 14 of the Indian Constitution guarantees equality before the law.
Article 21 protects the right to life and personal liberty, which the Supreme Court has interpreted to include the right to live with dignity.
The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, is the primary legislation governing compensation for road accidents.
The Maldives government has requested assistance from Indian companies to manage the recently upgraded Hanimadhoo International Airport. This request, made during the airport's inauguration, marks a significant shift in bilateral relations, coming a decade after the controversial ouster of the Indian conglomerate GMR from the Male International Airport project. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been tasked by the Centre to study the proposal for engaging Indian operators. India previously supported the redevelopment of Hanimadhoo airport with an $800 million line of credit issued by EXIM Bank of India.
Maldives has invited Indian companies to manage the Hanimadhoo International Airport following its recent upgrade.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is evaluating the request for engaging Indian private or state operators.
The Hanimadhoo airport redevelopment was funded by an $800 million line of credit from India's EXIM Bank.
Exam Points
The Hanimadhoo International Airport upgrade features a 2,465-metre runway capable of accommodating Airbus A320 aircraft.
The EXIM Bank of India provided an $800 million line of credit for the airport's redevelopment work.
The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out a salvo launch of two indigenous Pralay missiles from a single launcher. The test took place off the coast of Odisha at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur. Both missiles followed their intended trajectories and met all mission objectives, as confirmed by tracking sensors and telemetry systems. These flight tests were part of user evaluation trials. The Pralay is a quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile designed for short-range precision strikes, significantly enhancing India's tactical battlefield capabilities and deterrence.
DRDO conducted a successful salvo launch of two Pralay missiles from the same launcher on Wednesday.
The test was conducted at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha.
Pralay is an indigenous surface-to-surface missile developed for tactical precision strikes.
Exam Points
The test was conducted at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha.
Pralay is a surface-to-surface, short-range quasi-ballistic missile.
The Union Labour Ministry has pre-published draft Rules for the four Labour Codes, inviting public feedback within 45 days. The Rules mandate a 48-hour work week and introduce social security measures for gig and platform workers. Key provisions include the definition of workers, wages, and gratuity. For the Code on Wages, minimum wage criteria will consider a standard working class family of four and specific caloric intake. The Rules also specify safety measures for women working night shifts, including mandatory consent and the provision of transportation and CCTV surveillance.
The draft Rules mandate a maximum of 48 hours of work per week across various sectors.
Social security measures are introduced for the first time for gig and platform workers in the draft Rules.
Minimum wage fixation will be based on a standard family unit (spouse and two children) and a net intake of 2,700 calories.
Exam Points
The public has 45 days to file responses to the draft Rules published on the Labour Ministry's website.
The Rules define a standard working class family as consisting of a spouse and two children.
Minimum wage calculations include a net intake of 2,700 calories per day per consumption unit.
The Himachal Pradesh government is finalizing a policy to legalise and regulate cannabis cultivation, aiming to generate annual revenue of ₹1,000 crore to ₹2,000 crore. The policy focuses on the crop's medicinal value, particularly for pain management and anti-inflammatory applications, as well as industrial uses of hemp. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated that this strategic shift aims to replace the narcotic image of hemp with a productive identity. The framework will include strict rules and regulations to prevent illegal trade while promoting a new economic avenue for the state.
Himachal Pradesh aims to generate up to ₹2,000 crore annually through legal and regulated cannabis cultivation.
The policy focuses on medicinal applications like pain management and industrial use of hemp fiber.
The move seeks to transition cannabis from an illegal drug trade association to a regulated medicinal crop.
Exam Points
Projected annual revenue from legalised cannabis is between ₹1,000 crore and ₹2,000 crore.
The policy specifically targets the valleys of Kullu, Mandi, and Chamba where cannabis grows wild.
The Union Health Ministry has prohibited the manufacture, sale, and distribution of oral formulations of nimesulide containing more than 100 mg in immediate-release form. The ban, issued under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, follows recommendations from the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) regarding potential risks of liver toxicity. Nimesulide is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for acute pain. While high-dose oral forms are banned, strengths below 100 mg, sustained-release versions, and non-oral formulations like topical gels remain permitted for medical use.
Oral nimesulide formulations above 100 mg are banned due to significant risks of liver toxicity.
The ban applies specifically to immediate-release dosage forms, not sustained-release or topical versions.
The decision was made after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB).
Exam Points
The ban was issued under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
DTAB stands for Drugs Technical Advisory Board, which provides expert advice on drug safety.
In Samiullah vs State of Bihar, the Supreme Court clarified that the registration of a transfer deed is distinct from establishing a conclusive title or ownership. The Court struck down Bihar's rules that allowed registration authorities to refuse deeds based on lack of mutation proof, calling it 'arbitrary.' The article also discusses the potential of blockchain technology to reform land administration. By creating a decentralized, immutable ledger of transactions, blockchain could provide a transparent and tamper-proof record of land history, reducing disputes and administrative corruption in India's complex land governance system.
The Supreme Court ruled that registration of a deed does not automatically confer a conclusive title of ownership.
Registration authorities cannot refuse to register a deed based on the absence of mutation documents or 'jamabandi'.
Land governance in India is often described as 'traumatic' due to fragmented records and unsynchronized administrative domains.
Exam Points
The key Supreme Court case mentioned is Samiullah vs State of Bihar.
The Registration Act of 1908 is the primary legislation governing property registration in India.
Karnataka's 'Bhoomi' and 'KAVERI' systems are cited as examples of land record computerization.
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