Dr K Kasturirangan's contribution to Space Science and nation building
Professor Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, or Dr. Kasuturirangan as he is fondly remembered as, was a remarkable leader, an accomplished scientist, and a transformative figure of our nation, who profoundly shaped India's space ambitions, educational framework, and showed the vision for the future. His life's journey, marked by an unwavering pursuit of knowledge and its application for the nation's advancement, has left an enduring legacy.
Professor Kasturirangan's early academic brilliance, culminating in a doctorate in Experimental High Energy Astronomy from the University of Bombay laid a strong foundation for his extraordinary contributions to space exploration. He received the doctorate degree in 1971 when he was working at Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad. During his tenure at ISRO Satellite Centre (now the U.R.Rao Satellite Centre), he was the Project Director for India's first two experimental earth observation satellites, BHASKARA-I & II.
One of his landmark contributions was the expansion of India's remote sensing program. Satellites like IRS-1C and IRS-1D launched during his tenure provided high-resolution data for use in agriculture, forestry, water resources, and urban planning. His vision helped bridge the gap between advanced technology and development, demonstrating how space science could directly benefit common public. During 1990s and early 2000s, played a leading role in building and strengthening global perspectives of space activities. As a key person at the ISRO's lead Centre for Satellite Technology, ISRO Satellite Centre, for more than two decades and finally as its Director during 1990-1994 had primary responsibility for establishing design, fabrication, qualification and integration methodologies and systems for all satellites and their subsystems.
His long and impactful association with ISRO saw him serve as Chairman and Secretary of the Department of Space from 1994 to 2003. This era witnessed significant progress and several major missions under his insightful guidance. He spearheaded the successful development and launch of vital satellite series like Indian National Satellite (INSAT) for communication and meteorology, and IRS for Earth observation. The space programme witnessed successful operationalisation of PSLV and flight testing of GSLV during his leadership.
Notably, India's first lunar mission, Chandrayaan-1, was conceived during his leadership, firmly establishing the nation in lunar exploration and yielding invaluable scientific insights. His steadfast dedication to developing indigenous technologies ensured India's growing self-reliance in the crucial space sector.
As an Astrophysicist, Dr. Kasturirangan's interest includes research in high energy X-ray and gamma ray astronomy as well as optical astronomy. He actively supported and driven the development and realisation of multi-wavelength astronomy mission, AstroSat right from the beginning.
Beyond his monumental achievements in space, Professor Kasturirangan's visionary outlook extended to education. He chaired the committee responsible for drafting the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a pivotal policy aimed at revolutionizing India's education system. The NEP 2020, with its emphasis on holistic development, critical thinking, multidisciplinary learning, and the integration of technology, reflects his deep understanding of the evolving needs of students and the nation. His leadership in shaping this policy underscores his commitment to nurturing young minds and empowering future generations.
The policy's focus on early childhood education, foundational literacy and numeracy, and flexible higher education pathways stands as a testament to his comprehensive vision for an equitable and high-quality education system.
Apart from his scientific contributions, Dr. Kasturirangan played a vital role in shaping India's education and science policy. He chaired the committee that drafted the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), a transformative document aimed at modernizing India's education system to make it more holistic, flexible, and aligned with the needs of the 21st century. The policy emphasizes early childhood education, foundational literacy, research, and multidisciplinary learning. He was the Member (Science), planning commission from 2009 to 2014 and instrumental in formulating the 12th Five year plan of total S&T sector of India.
Dr Kasturirangan also made a significant contribution to environmental conservation through his role as the Chairman of th high level working group on Western ghats, popularly known as Kasturirangan committee.
Professor Kasturirangan's influence extended far beyond space and education. He held significant positions such as Member of the Planning Commission, Member of the Rajya Sabha from 2003-2009 and Chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission. In these roles, he consistently championed science, technology, and education, advocating for policies that fostered innovation and societal progress. His insightful contributions to policymaking across diverse sectors demonstrated his wide-ranging expertise and his unwavering dedication to national development.
His dedication and accomplishments earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, India's highest civilian honors, as well as international recognition for his scientific and technological contributions. These accolades underscore the profound impact he had on India and the world.
In the Indian tradition, it is believed that the seeds sown by great individuals blossom into mighty trees, offering shade and sustenance for generations to come, thereby forming a rich ecosystem, and legacies down the line. Professor Kasturirangan's visionary work in space and education has indeed grown into such lofty trees, inspiring countless individuals to pursue careers in science and contribute to the nation's progress.
His indomitable spirit, characterized by unwavering determination and a relentless pursuit of excellence, will continue to energize future scientific endeavors in the country. Let us honor this great inspiration through our own sincere, relentless, and selfless hard work towards building a stronger and more prosperous India
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UPSC Key: Axiom-4 mission, Project Cheetah, and Tardigrades
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for June 10, 2025. If you missed the June 9, 2025, UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here. Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights. What's the ongoing story: AS GROUP Captain Shubhanshu Shukla gets ready to become the first Indian to go to space in over 40 years, an 18-member team from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), led by chairman V Narayanan, has reached NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to witness the launch of Axiom-4 mission, which has been postponed by a day due to weather conditions. It is now set for lift-off on Wednesday, 5.30 pm India time. Key Points to Ponder: • What is the Axiom-4 mission? • What is the significance of the International Space Station (ISS)? • What is the theme of the Axiom-4 mission? • What is the Gaganyaan mission? • What is India's roadmap for setting up the Bharatiya Antariksha Station? • How does the Indian space sector benefit from private-sector participation? • How is Shukla's experience going to help India in future space missions? • How is India planning to exploit the space market? • What is the NISAR mission? • What is the Artemis accord? Key Takeaways: • Shukla is the designated pilot for the Axiom-4 mission that will travel to the International Space Station (ISS) — after a journey of 28 hours in space. The mission's Crew Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to dock with ISS around 10 pm India time on Thursday. The transfer of astronauts, from the spacecraft to the ISS, could take another couple of hours after the docking. • Shukla is the first Indian to go to the ISS, a permanent space laboratory, that has been orbiting the Earth for the last 25 years, and is constantly manned by astronauts. He is only the second Indian to go to space, more than 40 years after Rakesh Sharma went on a Soviet mission in 1984. • Shukla's participation in the Axiom-4 mission has been facilitated by an agreement between ISRO and NASA. Axiom Space, a private US company, has been enabled by NASA to carry crewed missions to the ISS as part of the effort to encourage private sector participation in space transportation, to low-Earth orbits and the ISS. • Axiom-4 is carrying four astronauts who will spend two weeks at the ISS. Besides Shukla, there is an astronaut each from Poland and Hungary, countries that, like India, are returning to space travel after over four decades. This is the reason why the theme of the mission is 'Realize the Return.' • The fourth member, also the commander of the mission, is space travel veteran Peggy Whitson, who holds the record for spending the maximum number of days, 675, in space over multiple trips. • Shukla's flight comes months ahead of the scheduled launch of Gaganyaan mission, which is ISRO's maiden attempt at sending a crewed mission to the Moon. • India now has its own human spaceflight mission in the works — the rocket has been human rated, the crew escape systems and parachutes have been tested in various conditions, the astronauts have completed their training. India's first crewed mission is scheduled for 2027. And, the learnings from the Axiom-4 mission will feed into it. • Human spaceflight missions are extremely challenging, more so when you are doing it for the first time. They are maybe a couple of orders of magnitude more complex than uncrewed missions because of the safety protocols that have to be integrated. This is the challenge that ISRO faces with the Gaganyaan mission. • That is why Shukla's experience with the Axiom-4 mission is important. He will bring real-life exposure that can be utilised in Gaganyaan. Shukla is the designated pilot of the Axiom-4 mission. He will learn a lot and gain in many ways during this mission. • Also, Shukla will be the first Indian to go to the ISS. He will have an opportunity to see how the ISS functions and operates. ISRO's next big project, after Gaganyaan, is to build its own space station. That is a massive infrastructural endeavour. • Space is a costly endeavour, and the sector can benefit hugely from private-sector participation. It will also make the sector more vibrant, facilitate innovation, expedite technology development, and attract new, young talent. It can also boost economic growth. • Globally, the space market is worth about $500 billion, and is expected to double by the year 2030. India, despite being a major spacefaring nation, accounts for a just 2% share of this market. We have the ambition of increasing our share to at least 10% in the coming years. Do You Know: 'Realising the return'— how an Indian became part of Axiom-4 • In June 2023, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Washington, India and the US announced a decision to finalise a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation. It was also revealed that Indian and American space agencies, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), would mount a joint effort to enable an Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) by 2024. • Only three nations — the US, Russia and China — have a human spaceflight programme of their own. Shubhanshu Shukla's flight, which came about on the back of the 2023 announcement, is thus being seen as another preparatory step ahead of the Gaganyaan mission. • Their space agencies have been working on a joint NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission for over a decade now, enabling a closer-than-ever partnership. That mission is finally ready now, and likely to be launched in the next few weeks from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. • This closer collaboration was formalised a couple of months after Modi's Washington visit in June 2023, when India signed the Artemis Accords, a US-devised set of principles for responsible behaviour and cooperation in space exploration, particularly in lunar and deep planetary missions. • Shortly after the Artemis Accords were signed, Axiom Space, a private US-based space company, invited India to participate in its mission to the ISS. Axiom Space has been the first and till now the only beneficiary of a NASA programme to enable private US industry to send commercial crewed missions to low-earth orbits and the ISS. • Axiom Space has sent three multinational missions to the ISS so far, each carrying four astronauts. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Gaganyaan's first uncrewed mission to be launched in 2025 last quarter: Isro chief V Narayanan 📍Knowledge Nugget: Axiom-4 mission — What you must know for UPSC Exam UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme: (1) With reference to the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), consider the following statements: 1. Ax-4 is a private spaceflight to the ISS operated by Axiom Space, using the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. 2. The mission will carry an all-Indian crew on its journey. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Structure, organisation and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity. What's the ongoing story: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Monday announced in a special one-day session of the Assam Assembly that the state government has decided to bring a 1950 Act into action to 'push back' into Bangladesh anyone who District Collectors prima facie find to be foreigners — without going through the state's existing system of Foreigners Tribunals. Key Points to Ponder: • What is the role of the Foreigners Tribunals? • What are the constitutional provisions related to tribunals? • What are the criteria to declare someone a foreigner in India? • What is Section 6A of the Citizenship Act? • What is the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950? • Who is considered a citizen in India? • What are the constitutional provisions related to citizenship in India? • What are the issues around the National Register of Citizens (NRC)? Key Takeaways: • He said this will be implemented in addition to the ongoing 'pushbacks' of people who have been declared foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunals (FTs); around 330 such declared foreigners have been pushed into Bangladesh in the past couple of weeks. • Speaking in the Assembly, Sarma referred to the October 2024 judgment of the Supreme Court in which a majority of a five-member Constitutional Bench headed by then Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud had upheld the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, which makes March 24, 1971 the cut-off date for citizenship in Assam. • Under the existing system in the state, the identification and declaration of 'foreigners' is done through Foreigners Tribunals (FTs). • FTs are quasi-judicial bodies that determine whether a person presented before them — usually referred by the border police or listed as 'D-voters' in electoral rolls — is a 'foreigner' or an Indian citizen. Those declared foreigners by these tribunals have the option to appeal against the order by approaching the Gauahti High Court and the Supreme Court. • In the judgment, after upholding the validity of Section 6A, the court had issued a set of six directions, of which one was: 'The provisions of the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950 shall also be read into Section 6A and shall be effectively employed for the purpose of identification of illegal immigrants.' Do You Know: • The Foreigners' Tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies meant to 'furnish opinion on the question as to whether a person is or is not a foreigner within the meaning of Foreigners Act, 1946'. • In 1964, the Centre passed the Foreigners' (Tribunals) Order under provisions of Section 3 of the Act. The FTs get two kinds of cases: those against whom a 'reference' has been made by border police, and those whose names in the electoral rolls have a D (Doubtful) against them. • Section 9 of the Foreigners Act says that 'the onus of proving that such person is not a foreigner or is not a foreigner of such particular class or description, as the case may be, shall, not withstanding anything contained in the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, lie upon such person'. • Previously, under the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act, 1983, the onus of proving one's nationality or otherwise lay on the complainant. In 2005 (Sarbananda Sonowal vs Union Of India), the Supreme Court struck down the IMDT Act and held that it 'has created the biggest hurdle and is the main impediment or barrier in the identification and deportation of illegal migrants'. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Explained: How do Foreigners' Tribunals work? UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (2) Consider the following statements: 1. The FTs are constitutional bodies formed by the central government through the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order of 1964. 2. According to the 1964 order, an FT has the powers of a civil court in certain matters, such as summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: 'The Central Administrative Tribunal which was established for redressal of grievances and complaints by or against central government employees, nowadays is exercising its powers as an independent judicial authority.' Explain. (2019) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change Mains Examination: General Studies III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. What's the ongoing story: Amid continuing criticism of various aspects of Project Cheetah, wildlife officials and field scientists from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) have authored a paper seeking to counter what they termed 'persistent criticism' and 'sensationalised media narratives' against the project, and defended its progress. Key Points to Ponder • What is Project Cheetah? • Cheetah in India- Know in detail • What is the IUCN status of Cheetah? • Trans-continental translocation of Animals-know the Issues and Challenges • How was the Reintroduction of the cheetah in India executed? • What are the challenges of the Project Cheetah? • Cheetah Project Steering Committee—Know its role, vision and powers • What is the significance of the Project Cheetah? • What are the other similar projects of the Indian government? • Read about the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Cheetah Project Steering Committee. • Map work (World)- Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. • Map work (India)- Kuno Palpur National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. Key Takeaways: • The officials and scientists said some of the criticism against the project was 'rooted in ideological biases'. Published in Frontiers in Conservation Science journal, the paper said that cheetahs imported to India have adapted ecologically and that the project had demonstrated significant progress in 2.5 years. • It added that the project was on a promising trajectory, even as cheetah reintroduction was a 'gradual and risky process, with inevitable and adaptive learning'. NTCA's assistant veterinary officer Sanath Krishna Muliya is the paper's lead author, and Project Tiger head Gobind Sagar Bharadwaj is among the co-authors. • The paper delved into issues such as the project's scientific merits, 'misplaced concerns about cheetahs in captivity', 'misinformed ethical and justice concerns', and 'misconceptions about veterinary capabilities and field interventions.' • The government officials said in the paper that the cheetahs were held in 'soft-release bomas' or large enclosures, where they hunted locally available prey, and no prey was provided. They added that the soft-release practice was internationally recognised for carnivore reintroductions. • The government is also negotiating with the governments of Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa, for more cheetah translocations, the paper said. Do You Know: • Project Cheetah was launched in September 2022 and introduced African cheetahs into India from Namibia and South Africa. Initially, 20 cheetahs were imported from the two countries. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Project Cheetah: Where things stand after two years Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (3) Consider the following: (2012) 1. Black-necked crane 2. Cheetah 3. Flying squirrel 4. Snow leopard Which of the above are naturally found in India? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance, General Science Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Science and Technology, Awareness in the fields of Space What's the ongoing story: Among the scientific experiments astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will undertake during his two week stay at the International Space Station (ISS) is one that will examine the revival, survival, and reproduction of tardigrades in space. Key Points to Ponder: • What are tardigrades? • What makes tardigrades one of the most resilient life forms on Earth? • What is the Voyager Tardigrades experiment? • Why do scientists study these microscopic, eight-legged organisms? • What is the Axiom-4 mission? • Read the biological structure and habitat of tardigrades and how these features contribute to their adaptability and widespread distribution. Key Takeaways: • Tardigrades, also known as 'water bears', are robust aquatic animals that have been around for roughly 600 million years, 400 million years before dinosaurs walked the planet. They have survived all the five major mass extinction events to have taken place thus far, and scientists believe they could be around long after humanity has died out. • Typically about 0.5 mm long when fully grown, tardigrades have four pairs of legs, with 4-6 claws on each foot. They also have a specialised mouth which helps them suck nutrients from plant cells, algae, and other small invertebrates. • Tardigrades can be found almost everywhere — from the highest mountains to the deepest oceans. Their most common habitat, however, is the thin film of water found on mosses and lichens, which bestows upon these animals the moniker of 'moss piglets'. • Siddharth Pandey, an affiliate research scientist with US-based Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, told The Indian Express that tardigrades owe their incredible resilience to cryptobiosis, a state in which organisms bring their metabolism to a near-complete standstill in the face of adverse environmental conditions. Tardigrades can reduce their metabolism to less than 0.01% of normal, and drop their water levels by more than 95%, a state called anhydrobiosis. • Both anhydrobiosis and cryptobiosis result in the emergence of a durable shrunken state, called tun, in which tardigrades are able to withstand extreme conditions. • Also, these animals produce unique proteins such as cytoplasmic-abundant heat soluble (CAHS) proteins which are key to their resilience. • Scientists will take tardigrades to the ISS in a state of tun, before reviving them and examining the effects of space radiation and microgravity on their biological processes. • The primary objective of the experiment is to identify the genes that are responsible for making these animals resilient. In other words, scientists hope to pinpoint the specific molecular machinery that enables tardigrades' survival and DNA repair in space. • This will help scientists develop strategies to protect astronauts during long-duration space missions, and preserve biological materials for extended space travel. Do You Know: • Tardigrades were discovered in 1773 by German zoologist Johann August Ephraim Goeze, they have become a subject of intensive research in the past few decades. • This is because tardigrades are remarkably resilient creatures, known to survive in the harshest of conditions. Water bears have been known to withstand temperatures as low as minus 272.95 degrees Celsius or as high as 150 degrees Celsius; endure ultraviolet radiation of space and pressures of 40,000 kilopascals (equivalent to what can be experienced at a depth of 4 km under the ocean's surface); and live after being stored in a freezer for 30 years, according to a report by Front Line Genomics. • Tardigrades have been a part of space missions since 2007, when some 3,000 moss piglets hitched a ride to space aboard the European Space Agency's Foton-M3 mission. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍This Word Means: Water bears or tardigrades UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme: (4) Consider the following statements with regard to Tardigrades 1. Tardigrades were discovered in 1773 by German zoologist Johann August Ephraim Goeze. 2. They have survived all the five major mass extinction events to have taken place thus far. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-III: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. What's the ongoing story: India is set to add 75 gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy in 2025-26 (FY26) and FY27, up 53 per cent from 49 GW added in FY24 and FY25, Crisil Ratings said. Key Points to Ponder: • What is the share of renewable energy in the total energy production of India? • What are the geographical and economic challenges in utilizing the true potential of renewable energy? • What are the major initiatives taken by the government related to the adoption of renewable energy? • What are the Hybrid projects? • Understand the science behind the production of solar, wind, and tidal energy. • What are the power purchase agreements (PPAs)? • A key challenge facing the sector is the inability of the transmission infrastructure. Elaborate. Key Takeaways: • Investments in renewables are also expected to surge by 52 per cent from Rs 2.5 lakh crore to Rs 3.8 lakh crore in FY26 and FY27, largely on account of increasing share of hybrid projects that are more capital intensive, the ratings agency said. • Of the total 75 GW renewable capacity to be added over the next two financial years, around 37 per cent will come from hybrid and storage-linked projects, significantly larger than the 17 per cent share in FY24 and FY25. • Hybrid projects mix solar and wind capacities to support more consistent generation, while storage-linked projects use batteries and pumped hydro to save excess power generation for later use. • Crisil Ratings said investments in renewables were recorded at Rs 1.8 lakh crore in FY22 and FY23, which increased to Rs 2.5 lakh crore in the following two fiscals, and is expected to grow by half to Rs 3.8 lakh crore in FY26 and FY27. The surge in investments will partly be on account of rising share of hybrid and storage projects, which are more capital intensive. • A key challenge facing the sector is the inability of transmission infrastructure to keep pace with capacity addition. • Renewable projects are also facing difficulties in securing buyers through renewable energy implementing agencies (REIAs), with not enough states signing power purchase agreements (PPAs). Do You Know: • Renewable energy sources such as solar power, hydroelectric power, and wind power can be harnessed repeatedly without depleting natural resources, making them essential to a sustainable future. Therefore, expanding the scope and uses of renewable energy sources is critical to reducing the dependence on fossil fuels and combating climate change. 1. Solar Energy: Solar energy is harnessed from the sun's radiation. It can be transformed into electricity using solar panels (photovoltaic cells) or alternatively can be utilised to produce heat through solar thermal systems. 2. Wind Energy: It is generated by converting the kinetic energy of wind into electricity using wind turbines. 3. Hydropower: It is created by harnessing the kinetic energy of flowing water in rivers, dams, waterfalls, etc. It is one of the oldest and most widely used forms of renewable energy. 4. Biomass Energy: Biomass is produced from organic materials such as plant residues, animal waste, and wood. It can be heated or converted to liquid or gaseous fuels for consumption. 5. Geothermal Energy: This form of energy is derived from the Earth's internal heat. These can be naturally occurring hot water reservoirs or can be man-made. Occurring at various depths and varying temperatures below the earth's surface, these geothermal resources can be used for electricity generation and direct heating applications. 6. Tidal and Wave Energy: It harnesses the movement of ocean water to generate electricity. Tidal energy relies on the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun, whereas wave energy captures the energy of surface waves. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Akshay Urja Day 2024: India making strides in advancing renewable energy 📍Renewable energy's dirty secrets: Hidden cost of going green Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: 'Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)'.Comment on the progress made in India in this regard. (2018) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies-II, III: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation of resources, growth, development and employment, Science and Technology. What's the ongoing story: India's imports of permanent magnets—many containing rare earth elements (REEs)—nearly doubled to 53,700 tonnes in 2024-25 (FY25) from around 28,700 tonnes the year before, according to official trade data. Key Points to Ponder: • What are permanent magnets? • What are rare earth magnets? Why is it called rare earth minerals? • Which country has the most rare earth deposits? • What is the difference between critical minerals and rare earth elements? • What effects does China's dominance over the processing of rare earth magnets have on global supply chains? • What are the rare earth minerals found in India? • What should India do to prepare for future shortages of strategic minerals such as rare earth elements? Key Takeaways: • The surge in imports, with 93 per cent coming from China, preceded Beijing's April 4 export restrictions on rare earth magnets, which have since disrupted production lines globally. In India, with just 2-3 weeks of REE magnet supply remaining, industry executives are expected to travel to China in a bid to ease the shortage, sources told The Indian Express. • China is the dominant supplier of permanent magnets in India, accounting for upwards of 90 per cent share. Imports from China increased by 95 per cent year-on-year to 50,000 tonnes in FY25. Permanent magnets, especially those made with REEs, are widely used in electric vehicle (EV) motors, wind turbines, aerospace, and defence. • In contrast to FY25, imports in the ongoing financial year are expected to be tempered, after China imposed export restrictions on rare earth magnets and related materials from April 4, as a direct response to US imposing tariffs. • In India, a supply crunch is in the making, especially for neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets used in EV motors. Over the past month or so, Indian carmakers are learnt to have used up inventories and there is likely to be a shortage going forward. • Earlier, a senior executive from the Indian car industry told The Indian Express that importers are now required to give their Chinese suppliers an undertaking that the rare earth magnets procured from that country would only be used in vehicles and not for defence or military applications. • Currently, IREL (India) Ltd, a PSU under the Department of Atomic Energy, refines rare earth oxides from heavy metal ores, containing REEs like cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, and praseodymium. However, production is limited. Moreover, the processing of refining oxides into alloys—and then into magnets—is highly technical and virtually non-existent in India. • Figuring out the supply chain for rare earth ores is a key challenge, with players looking at importing ores from Sri Lanka, Mongolia, and Myanmar, sources said. Another challenge for domestic players would be to remain viable as China significantly cuts prices of rare earth magnets. • According to the US Geological Survey's January 2025 data, India held the world's third-largest rare earth reserves in 2024—estimated at 6.9 million tonnes— behind China (44 million tonnes) and Brazil (21 million tonnes). However, on the production front, India ranked seventh at 2,900 tonnes, well behind China (255,000 tonnes), Myanmar (43,000), the US (41,600), Australia, Nigeria, and Thailand. • In the January 2024 report, India ranked fifth in reserves. The latest revision reflects reduction in other countries' estimates—Vietnam's reserves were cut from 22 million tonnes to 3.5 million, and Russia's from 10 million to 3.8 million. Do You Know: • Rare Earth Elements (REEs) or Rare Earth Metals are a set of 17 chemical elements in the periodic table — the 15 lanthanides, plus scandium and yttrium, which tend to occur in the same ore deposits as the lanthanides, and have similar chemical properties. REEs are classified as light RE elements (LREE) and heavy RE elements (HREE). • The 17 Rare Earths are cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), holmium (Ho), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y). • Some REEs are available in India — such as Lanthanum, Cerium, Neodymium, Praseodymium and Samarium, etc. Others such as Dysprosium, Terbium, and Europium, which are classified as HREEs, are not available in Indian deposits in extractable quantities. Hence, there is a dependence on countries such as China for HREEs, which is one of the leading producers of REEs, with an estimated 70 per cent share of the global production. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Knowledge Nugget: Geopolitics and Minerals – What is the UPSC relevance of Rare Earth Elements? 📍China curbs on rare earth magnets: Electric Vehicle makers face shortage, approach govt UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme: (5) With reference to the Rare Earth Elements, consider the following statements: 1. These are crucial for manufacturing high-value goods in defence and clean energy. 2. The United States dominated rare earth elements, supplying 85 to 95 per cent of the world's demand. 3. Gadolinium (Gd) and holmium (Ho) are considered Rare Earth Elements. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for May 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: ... Read More Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
Mint
3 hours ago
- Mint
Axiom-4 mission: Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's mission to ISS begins tomorrow. Check when and where to watch live
Indian Air Force officer Shubhanshu Shukla is set to create history by piloting the highly anticipated Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission to the International Space Station (ISS) tomorrow, on June 11. According to a NASA statement, Shubhanshu Shukla will pilot the agency's mission to the ISS aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on June 11 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Shukla's hometown of Lucknow is filled with posters wishing the local boy luck on his space mission, according to a Bloomberg report. In a post on June 9, the Indian Space Reserch Organisation (ISRO) said that the mission which was originally scheduled to be launched on June 10 (today), has been rescheduled to June 11 (tommorow) due to unfavourable weather conditions. 'Launch of Axiom-4 mission to International Space Station: Due to weather conditions, the launch of Axiom-4 mission for sending Indian Gaganyatri to International Space Station is postponed from 10th June 2025 to 11th June 2025. The targeted time of launch is 5:30 PM IST on 11th June 2025: Dr V Narayanan, Chairman ISRO/ Secretary DOS / Chairman Space Commission,' it wrote. The Ax-4 mission is set to launch at 8 am ET, which for Indian viewers is 5.30 pm IST on June 11. Most live streams will begin at least two hours before the launch. The Axiom and SpaceX twitter accounts, will likely post live updates and videos on their official pages. You can also watch video livestreams on the NASA website or NASA+ app from 4.55 pm IST. Axiom Space YouTube page will also livestream the launch. SpaceX will likely post a livestream on its X page. He will have the distinction of being the first Indian in history to visit the ISS and the second Indian in space after astronaut Rakesh Sharma's voyage aboard the USSR's Soyuz T-11 mission in 1984. Notably, Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to travel to space under the Soviet Interkosmos programme. Now, 41 years later, Shubhanshu Shukla, will be part of a four-member crew comprising Commander Peggy Whitson of the US, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary. The team will spend 14 days at the ISS. The BB report noted that this mission marks the 'opening act' in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's space ambitions for India — with plans including a crewed space mission by 2027, a crewed lunar mission by 2030, set up India's own space station by 2035, and land an Indian astronaut on the surface of the moon by 2040. Notably, in 2023, ISRO successfully landed a robotic spacecraft near the moon's south pole.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Shubhanshu Shukla educational qualification: From IISc to a historic NASA-ISRO space mission
Shubhanshu Shukla's journey from NDA to NASA-ISRO collaboration on Axiom Mission 4 Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Shubhanshu Shukla's journey from NDA to NASA-ISRO collaboration on Axiom Mission 4 Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Shubhanshu Shukla's journey from NDA to NASA-ISRO collaboration on Axiom Mission 4 1 2 Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is all set to make history as the first Indian astronaut to spend 14 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). His upcoming journey is a milestone for India, coming 41 years after Rakesh Sharma's spaceflight and marking the first time an Indian citizen will live and conduct experiments on the ISS. Shukla's educational and professional background has been crucial in shaping his path from the National Defence Academy (NDA) to the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and now to an extraordinary NASA-ISRO collaboration. Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shukla's early fascination with aviation and space began at a young age. His academic journey is a testament to his dedication and expertise, starting with his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the NDA. He later pursued a Master of Technology in Aerospace Engineering at IISc Bengaluru, equipping himself with the necessary scientific and technical knowledge to excel in aerospace and defence fields. His education laid a solid foundation that propelled him into the Indian Air Force (IAF) as a combat and test pilot, and now, an astronaut representing India on the global stage. From NDA to Indian Air Force and beyond Shubhanshu Shukla joined the NDA in 2003, embarking on a rigorous military education that included physical and academic training. His journey into the Indian Air Force began in 2006 after commissioning, where he gained over 2,000 hours of flying experience on multiple fighter aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier 228, and An-32. Known for his skills as a test pilot and combat leader, Shukla's experience and training at NDA played a vital role in shaping his leadership and aviation expertise. In 2019, Shukla was selected for India's ambitious human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, which involves sending Indian astronauts into space aboard indigenous spacecraft. As part of this mission, he underwent advanced astronaut training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Moscow and later at the Indian Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru. His education at IISc further enhanced his understanding of aerospace engineering principles, vital for coping with the scientific and technical challenges of space travel. A historic collaboration with NASA and ISRO Shubhanshu Shukla's upcoming mission, Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), is a unique venture involving NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO. Originally scheduled for launch earlier, the mission is now set to depart from Kennedy Space Center aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft. Alongside Shukla, the crew includes mission commander Peggy Whitson from the U.S., and astronauts from Poland and Hungary, marking an international collaborative effort. The mission will see Shukla spend up to 14 days aboard the ISS, during which he will participate in seven experiments. These include studies on the germination of fenugreek and mung seeds in microgravity, conducted in collaboration with ISRO and India's Department of Biotechnology (DBT). The goal is to investigate how microgravity affects plant growth and to develop sustainable food production systems for long-term space missions. Additionally, Shukla will conduct experiments jointly with NASA, expanding scientific knowledge crucial for future space exploration. Personal dedication and preparation Shukla's dedication extends beyond his professional achievements. Married to Dr Kamna Shukla, a dentist, he balances family life with his demanding career. He maintains a keen interest in physical fitness, science literature, and even horoscopes, reflecting a curious and disciplined mind. His extensive astronaut training has included international collaboration, with sessions at the European Space Agency's astronaut centre in Germany and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in Japan, preparing him for the complex environment aboard the ISS. The Axiom Mission 4 is not only a milestone for India but also a testament to Shukla's remarkable journey from his humble beginnings in Lucknow to becoming a key figure in the global space community. His educational qualifications from NDA and IISc have been the pillars supporting his ascent into space, embodying India's growing prominence in human spaceflight through collaborations with NASA and ISRO. As the countdown continues for the launch from Kennedy Space Center, all eyes are on Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla – a symbol of India's dreams reaching new heights, grounded firmly in education, training, and international partnership. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
