India’s first human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, has been years in the making. Announced in 2018, the mission is being developed by ISRO with the goal of sending Indian astronauts — known as vyomnauts — into low-Earth orbit on an Indian-built spacecraft.
The project involves an orbital module made up of two parts: a crew module to carry astronauts and a service module to provide power and propulsion. The spacecraft will be launched on a modified GSLV Mk III rocket, now renamed LVM3. Initial plans aimed for a 2022 launch to coincide with India’s 75th year of independence, but delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for extensive safety testing pushed the timeline forward. Current schedules indicate an uncrewed test in 2024–25, followed by a crewed mission later in the decade (isro.gov.in).
Safety has been the main concern. ISRO has already tested systems such as the crew escape mechanism, parachute recovery, and re-entry procedures. A series of test flights are planned before astronauts are cleared for space. The Indian Air Force has also been training the shortlisted astronauts, with support from Russia’s space agency Roscosmos, in the early stages.
The cost of the program is estimated at around ₹9,000 crore. Supporters say it will place India among the select nations capable of human spaceflight, alongside the U.S., Russia, and China. Critics point to the expense and argue that resources could be directed toward unmanned missions and pressing domestic needs.
For ISRO, Gaganyaan represents both prestige and capability. If successful, it will not only mark India’s entry into human spaceflight but also open doors for longer-term projects, including a potential space station in the 2030s.
On this Special Report, the focus is on Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who has made history as the first Indian astronaut to receive the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award. Speaking about his historic journey, Shukla stated, 'Today in 2025, the Indian flag reached the International Space Station for the first time.' The Indian Air Force officer was recognised for his exemplary courage and leadership during the 18-day Axiom 4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The programme also highlights the 70 other gallantry award recipients honoured by the President on the eve of Republic Day, including Colonel Sofia Qureshi, who received the Vishishta Seva Medal for her role in Operation Zindur. Shukla shared insights into the challenges of space travel and the powerful message of India's growing presence in space exploration, describing the experience as 'out of this world' while inspiring future generations of Indians.
On this Special Report, India Today’s Preeti Choudhry anchors the live coverage of India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations from Kartavya Path. The bulletin highlights the historic decoration of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a key member of the Gaganyaan mission, marking a significant milestone for India’s space-faring ambitions. Preeti Choudhry notes, 'It basically tells us where we want to be, where India wants to be in the committee of space-faring nations.' The programme also discusses the announcement of 131 Padma Awards for 2026, including a posthumous honour for actor Dharmendra. Joining the conversation, Lieutenant General Sanjay Kulkarni reflects on the pride and rigorous selection process for regiments marching in the parade. The discussion underscores the evolution of India’s military technology and the symbolic importance of gallantry award winners leading the contingents, showcasing the nation's 'brains and brawn' on the global stage.
On this Special Report, host Preeti Choudhry reviews the landmark celebrations of India’s 77th Republic Day at Kartavya Path. The bulletin highlights the presence of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa as chief guests, signaling a strengthening of India-EU ties ahead of a major trade deal. Preeti Choudhry notes that the display showcased 'Atmanirbhar Bharat in full flow,' emphasizing India's technological leap in indigenous weaponry and space exploration. The discussion features experts Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor, and Sandeep Unnithan, who analyze the success of the IACCS air defence network and the impact of Operation Sindoor in 2025. The programme also celebrates the recognition of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, highlighting space as the new frontier for India’s youth. The broadcast concludes with the Prime Minister’s traditional walk to acknowledge the crowds, marking 77 years of the Republic and 150 years of Vande Mataram.
Anchor Preeti Choudhry leads the coverage of India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations from Kartavya Path, marking the first parade since the execution of Operation Sindoor. The event showcases India’s military strength and technological sovereignty, featuring a phased battle display, the S-400 air defence system, and the debut of indigenous hypersonic missiles. The aerial flypast includes the Operation Sindoor formation with Rafale and Sukhoi-30 jets. European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa attend as chief guests, highlighting geopolitical ties and ongoing India-EU trade negotiations. The broadcast includes analysis from Sandeep Unnithan and military veterans on defense self-reliance and the Gaganyaan mission, specifically recognizing astronaut Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla. Reports from Srinagar’s Lal Chowk and Chandigarh document nationwide celebrations, while Bill Gates acknowledges India's digital infrastructure and AI innovations. This bulletin captures the transition of India into a global geo-economic power, emphasizing the spirit of Vixit Bharat and the nation's commitment to its constitutional values.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path, New Delhi. The programme highlights the prestigious awarding of the Ashoka Chakra to Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla, following his historic space mission. The broadcast captures the 'showering of flower petals by the Indian Air Force helicopters' as the parade commenced under clear blue skies. Special attention is given to the presence of the Chief Guest, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, whose attire was noted for reflecting Indian craftsmanship. The bulletin also honours living Param Vir Chakra winners, including Bana Singh and heroes of the Kargil War, who took the salute. The discussion emphasizes that while the Ashoka Chakra and Param Vir Chakra are presented on Kartavya Path, other gallantry awards are conferred at the Rashtrapati Bhavan investiture ceremony. The report reflects on the motivation and recognition provided by these national honours to the men in boots serving the country.
On this India Today special report, anchor Anjali Istwal covers India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path. The 2026 parade, themed '150 years of Vande Mataram,' features European Union leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa as chief guests. The broadcast highlights India’s military strength following 'Operation Sindoor,' a May 2025 counteroffensive against Pakistan. Key displays include the S-400 missile systems, Rafale jets, and the Army’s animal contingent. A Swiss think tank report confirms India’s aerial supremacy during the conflict, leading to a forced ceasefire. The bulletin also details the 'Mother of All Deals' trade agreement with the EU and the 2026 Padma Awards. Notable honors include the Ashok Chakra for astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian on the International Space Station, and posthumous Padma Vibhushan awards for Dharmendra and V.S. Achuthanandan. Security updates report foiled infiltration bids in Samba and terror encounters in Doda and Kishtwar, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivers his 'Viksit Bharat' message.
On this special report, the focus is on Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla, who has made history as the first Indian astronaut to receive the Ashok Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award. Speaking about his experience on the International Space Station (ISS) during the Axiom 4 mission, Shukla stated, 'Today in 2025, the Indian flag reached the International Space Station for the first time.' He shared insights into the challenges of microgravity, describing the ISS as equivalent to a 6 BHK house where the mind must switch from a 2D to a 3D concept of space. The bulletin also notes that President Draupadi Murmu awarded 70 others on the eve of Republic Day, including Colonel Sophia Qureshi, who received the Vishisht Seva Medal for her role in Operation Sindoor. The programme highlights India's growing stature as a spacefaring economy and the significance of these honours for the armed forces and future space missions like Gaganyaan.
Speaking on India Today podcast UnPolitics, Nasa astronaut Sunita Williams reflects on her 27-year career and recent retirement announcement during a broadcast from a literature festival in India. Williams addressed media speculation regarding her health during her extended stay on the International Space Station, clarifying that she returned in good health despite the physical challenges of zero gravity.
India's space programme marks a major milestone with the first launch of 2026, as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully sends the PSLV-C62 rocket into orbit from Sriharikota. This mission represents a significant comeback for the PSLV, described as ISRO's 'trusted workhorse', following an aborted mission in 2025. The primary payload is Anvesha, a powerful surveillance satellite designed to track troop movements, terrain changes, and crop patterns with high precision. The broadcast captures the 'majestic lift off', calling it a 'roaring 2026 comeback for the hero PSLV rocket, reaffirming India's rising space dominance'. The launch also includes several other smaller satellites, making it a 'desi-videshi combo space launch' and showcasing India's growing capabilities in space exploration and satellite deployment.
India's space programme begins 2026 with a significant milestone as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launches its PSLV-C62 mission. This launch represents a 'Desi-Videshi combo,' carrying both Indian and international payloads. The primary payload is the 'Anvesha' satellite, described in the report as 'India's hawk eye in the space, a powerful surveillance satellite tracking troop movement, terrain changes, and crop patterns with pinpoint accuracy.' The launch, which took place at 10:18 am, marks a roaring comeback for the PSLV rocket, reaffirming its status as ISRO's trusted workhorse. The bulletin highlights the PSLV's legacy, noting its crucial role in historic missions like Chandrayaan-1, the Mars Orbiter Mission, and the Aditya-L1 solar mission, reinforcing India's growing dominance in space exploration.
The discussion centres on the transformation of Ayodhya and the development of religious tourism across Uttar Pradesh, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Commentators Advaita Kala and Gaurav Sawant explore the infrastructural and economic revival, including the development of highways, the airport, and the state's 'sacred geography' which includes sites like Kashi and the Buddhist circuit. Gaurav explains the philosophy behind this push, stating, 'You have your Ram Mandir But you also have your Brahma supersonic cruise missile and you also are aspiring to be the third largest economy in the world And you're also sending a Gaganyaan and a mission to moon. So you're doing everything together It is not either or'. The bulletin covers the reclamation of civilisational heritage through legal means, the economic potential of tourism, and the vision of balancing faith with national progress in science and the economy.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla discusses the intense, ongoing training and development for India's Gaganyaan mission, which is now in its final phase, and his planned return to fighter jet flying to maintain his currency. Group Captain Shukla stated, 'these missions are so complex that you want to be really sure when you send something else. So that is the activity that is happening very intensely.' He detailed how the astronaut team is actively involved in the developmental program, working to identify gaps and revise all systems ahead of the historic human spaceflight.
This special report from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) focuses on the development of the Human-Rated Launch Vehicle (HRLV) for the ambitious Gaganyaan mission, India's first human spaceflight programme. The report, by Pramod Madhav, showcases models of the LVM3 rocket, also known as 'Bahubali', detailing its configuration with solid boosters, a liquid stage, and a cryogenic stage, which are being adapted for human rating. Speaking on new design elements like grid fins for stabilization, an ISRO official stated, 'a couple of experiments we are carrying out and some of the places we have to use, not all the places.' The segment highlights critical safety features, including the crew escape system, which is paramount for the protection of the three 'Gaganauts' set to journey into a 400 km orbit.
This India Today special report covers the launch of a heavy communication satellite from Sriharikota aboard ISRO's powerful LVM3 rocket, a vehicle also used for the Chandrayaan-3 mission. The reporter on the ground states that the satellite's purpose is critical, saying, 'the most important communication is going to do is kind of communication between the ship, the submarine and the command center.' This launch is highlighted as not only crucial for enhancing India's naval communication capabilities but also as a significant test for the LVM3 vehicle, which serves as the workhorse for future ambitious missions, including the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. The report captures the tension and triumph at the media center as ISRO continues to prove the reliability of its heavy-lift launch capabilities.
This special episode of SoSouth delves into political turmoil in Karnataka, a tragic case of civic negligence in Chennai, and a brewing caste controversy in Tamil Nadu. The debate over Karnataka's leadership intensifies as CM Siddaramaiah's son hints at his father's political retirement, with PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi emerging as a potential successor. In an explosive claim, Tamil Nadu Congress chief K. Selvaperunthagai questioned authorities after allegedly being sidelined at a reservoir event, asking, 'Can't I touch it? Can't I go ahead and release it?'. The bulletin also covers the heartbreaking death of a two-year-old girl in a water-logged pit in Chennai, which has put the city's infrastructure under scrutiny following heavy rains. Additionally, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath provides an update on the Gaganyaan mission, confirming the first uncrewed test flight is scheduled for December.
Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla said that the experience of spaceflight is completely different from training. "It’s only the real thing that truly prepares you. Fighter flying was thrilling, and I had assumed spaceflight would be an extension of it, but it was far more intense. Nothing can prepare you for it. The launch is so powerful that even the bones in your body feel like they are shaking,” he added.
A massive political controversy has erupted over the Kerala government's invitation to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin for the inaugural global Lord Ayyappa event.
Following the Axiom 4 mission, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is back in India. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called Shukla and three other Gaganyatris 'gems to the country,' stating the Gaganyaan mission symbolizes a new chapter for 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. The project, announced in 2018, is set to send a three-member crew into a 400-kilometre orbit for a three-day mission in 2027. Shukla described carrying out seven Indian experiments during his 18 days in space and the difficulties involved. "It was really challenging to do this in space, because everything changes, the space around you changes, your body changes," the astronaut said. The report also highlights India's message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' and the Prime Minister's sentiment that this is the beginning of India's long journey in the space sector.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Jitendra Singh, addressed the media on India's accelerated progress in the space sector.
Space hero Shubhanshu Shukla is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Modi today, following a grand welcome in the National Capital yesterday. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Minister Jitendra Singh received him at IGI airport. The Lok Sabha is set to praise Shubhanshu Shukla, with a special discussion planned in the Lower House of Parliament regarding his 18 days and 7 experiments in space. These experiments are crucial for India's first crewed mission, Gaganyaan, scheduled for 2027. Shubhanshu Shukla will also join National Space Day celebrations and resume training for the Gaganyaan mission. Prime Minister Modi conveyed a message to Shubhanshu Shukla, stating, "The sky is never the limit. Not for you, not for me, and not for India." This mission marks India's presence at the International Space Station.
