UPSC Science & Technology current affairs: space missions, biotechnology, AI, cybersecurity, and defense technology.
Part of: UPSC Current Affairs 2026 Hub
On 15 July 2026 the Union Cabinet approved Phase‑2 of the India Semiconductor Mission and the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme, allocating ₹1.27 lakh cr and ₹62,500 cr respectively to attract ₹4 lakh cr of investment and boost exports. The expanded programmes target semiconductor design, equipment, chemicals and phone‑assembly incentives, aiming to reduce import dependence and build a self‑reliant electronics ecosystem.
On 18 July 2026, Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched its Vikram‑1 rocket, marking India’s first private orbital launch. The mission validates the company’s technology and highlights the growing role of private firms in India’s space sector, a development of strategic and economic relevance for UPSC aspirants.
On 18 July 2026, Skyroot’s privately built <strong>Vikram‑1</strong> rocket successfully placed payloads into a 450 km orbit, making India the third country after the US and China where a private firm can launch to orbit. The mission showcases the impact of <span class="key-term" data-definition="additive manufacturing – Also known as 3D printing; a process that builds components layer by layer using lasers to fuse metal powder, reducing part count and manufacturing time (GS3: Science & Technology)">additive manufacturing</span> in rocket engine design and signals a shift toward a mixed public‑private space ecosystem.
Gene drives, powered by CRISPR/Cas9, offer a potential breakthrough in controlling malaria‑carrying mosquitoes, but they pose ecological and biosafety risks. International bodies like WHO recommend phased testing and self‑limiting designs, urging India to weigh benefits against hazards and build strong regulatory and public‑consent frameworks.
At the IISER Thiruvananthapuram convocation, NITI Aayog member Abhay Karandikar highlighted India's evolution into a deep‑tech hub, citing missions like National Quantum, IndiaAI, and Green Hydrogen, and urged graduates to apply science responsibly for nation‑building.
The Technology Development Board praised Skyroot Aerospace for its Vikram‑1 launch, the first successful orbital mission by an Indian private company, highlighting the role of early government awards and upcoming RDI Fund support in fostering indigenous space technology.
On 18 July 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Skyroot Aerospace on the maiden orbital launch of Vikram‑1, India’s first privately developed launch vehicle. The event highlights the impact of space‑sector reforms, on‑demand launch services, and the entrepreneurial spirit of Indian youth, underscoring a pivotal shift toward a mixed public‑private space ecosystem relevant to multiple UPSC GS papers.
On 18 July 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated <span class="key-term" data-definition="Skyroot Aerospace – An Indian private space startup focused on building small launch vehicles for satellite deployment (GS3: Science & Technology)">Skyroot Aerospace</span> for the successful launch of its <span class="key-term" data-definition="Vikram-1 – The first orbital launch vehicle developed by private firm Skyroot Aerospace, marking India’s entry into commercial small‑sat launches (GS3: Science & Technology)">Vikram-1</span> rocket, marking a milestone in India's private space sector. The event underscores the growing role of private players in space technology, a key theme for UPSC GS Paper III.
On 18 July 2026, Skyroot Aerospace’s privately built <strong>Vikram‑1</strong> rocket successfully reached low Earth orbit, carrying multiple payloads and a postcard from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The launch, authorised by <strong>IN‑SPACe</strong>, marks India’s entry into the elite group of nations with private orbital launch capability and underscores the growing role of the private sector in India’s space programme.
Department of Space ने Gaganyaan मिशन पर काम करने वाले Group ‘A’ वैज्ञानिकों की नियमित स्वैच्छिक सेवानिवृत्ति या इस्तीफा रोक दिया है, क्योंकि हाल के महीनों में लगभग 100 वरिष्ठ ISRO कर्मचारियों ने इस्तीफा दिया था। यह नीति राष्ट्रीय महत्व के अंतरिक्ष परियोजनाओं के कार्यान्वयन की सुरक्षा के लिए निकास निर्णयों को DoS के पास केंद्रीकृत करती है।
SCTIMST and ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre have launched India’s first Bioastronautics Postdoctoral Fellowship, starting July 2026, to train researchers in space medicine for the upcoming Gaganyaan crewed mission. The initiative strengthens scientific capacity and aligns with UPSC GS‑3 themes on space technology and health.
On 18 July 2026, Skyroot’s privately built <strong>Vikram‑1</strong> rocket reached a 450 km orbit, making India the third country with a private launch capability. The mission showcased 3D‑printed engines, carbon‑fibre airframes, and highlighted the impact of IN‑SPACe reforms on India’s space sector, a key topic for UPSC GS‑3.
The Department of Space has barred routine voluntary retirement or resignation of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Group ‘A’ scientific and technical personnel — Senior technical staff classified under the highest pay‑scale in Indian government services, often leading critical projects (GS2: Polity)">Group ‘A</span> scientists working on the Gaganyaan mission, after about 100 senior ISRO staff quit in recent months. The policy centralises exit decisions with the DoS to protect the implementation of nationally important space projects.
On July 17, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off India’s first hydrogen‑fuel‑cell train on the 89‑km Jind‑Sonipat route in Haryana. The ten‑coach, 2,600‑passenger train, championed by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, showcases a shift toward clean energy in Indian Railways, bearing significant relevance for UPSC topics on infrastructure, energy security, and environmental policy.
The Hindu’s e‑book (July 2026) outlines India’s National Quantum Mission, the technical limits of current NISQ devices, and the urgent shift to post‑quantum cryptography driven by the looming Q‑Day and "Harvest Now, Decrypt Later" threat, highlighting implications for digital trust and UPSC‑relevant policy.
A ransomware attack on a contractor of the Kudankulam nuclear power project exposed 14.3 GB of infrastructure data, prompting NPCIL to clarify that the reactor core was untouched. The incident underscores gaps in India’s breach‑disclosure practices and the need for stronger cyber‑hygiene and coordinated response for critical infrastructure.
On 17 July 2026, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first hydrogen‑powered train and announced ₹14,700 crore of projects in Jind, Haryana, including new medical colleges, highways, and a revamped National Sports Policy. The initiatives showcase green technology, domestic manufacturing, and integrated infrastructure, all of which are pertinent to multiple UPSC syllabus areas.
On 17 July 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first indigenous hydrogen‑powered train on the Jind‑Sonipat route in Haryana, highlighting the nation’s push for green mobility, self‑reliance under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and the region’s cultural heritage. The launch underscores key UPSC themes such as sustainable transport, energy security, and the role of the executive in developmental initiatives.
On July 17, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a Sanskrit Subhashitam on dedication and announced the launch of India's first hydrogen‑powered train, marking a step toward self‑reliant, sustainable transport. The initiative underscores clean‑energy goals and aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat and sustainable development agendas, relevant to multiple UPSC GS papers.