🚀 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY – CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR WBCS 2026
Exam Tip: Science & Technology is a high-weightage section in WBCS Prelims. Focus on ISRO missions, DRDO developments, defence technology, and recent scientific achievements.
📑 QUICK NAVIGATION
Section Topic 1 ISRO – Gaganyaan Mission (Human Spaceflight) 2 ISRO – Launch Vehicles & Future Missions 3 Indian Moon Missions (Chandrayaan Series) 4 DRDO – Missile Technology 5 DRDO – Advanced Defence Systems 6 Quantum Technology & AI 7 Research, Development & Innovation (RDI) Fund 8 NASA – Artemis II Mission 9 Key Organisations & Personalities 10 Very Important One-Liners
🛰️ SECTION 1: ISRO – GAGANYAAN MISSION (HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT)
Mission Overview
Feature Detail Mission Name Gaganyaan (Indian Human Spaceflight Programme) Objective Launch crewed spacecraft to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Launch Vehicle Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) – modified LVM3 Spacecraft Components Crew Module (CM) + Service Module (SM) = Orbital Module Crew Capacity Up to 3 astronauts Splashdown Location Indian territorial waters (Bay of Bengal)
Mission Timeline & Schedule
Phase Details Timeline G-1 Mission First uncrewed test flight with Vyommitra (half-humanoid robot) August-September 2026 G-2 Mission Second uncrewed test flight After G-1, before crewed mission G-3 Mission Third uncrewed test flight Before crewed mission H-1 Mission First crewed mission (3 astronauts) 2027 (target)
Key Features of Gaganyaan
Component Description Human Rated LVM3 (HLVM3) Qualified and ready for first uncrewed mission Vyommitra Half-humanoid robot to simulate astronaut conditions; will test life-support systems and microgravity conditions Terrestrial Links Established between Indian Naval Station, Sriharikota, Bengaluru Mission Control Centre, and Delhi Crew Module Recovery Centre Ground Station Support Contract signed with Swedish Space Corporation Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) Development initiated with reusable technology
Gaganyaan Astronauts (Selected)
Name Background Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair Indian Air Force pilot Group Captain Ajit Krishnan Indian Air Force pilot Group Captain Angad Pratap Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla Indian Air Force pilot; flew to ISS on Axiom-4 Mission (2025)
India’s Aim in Human Spaceflight
Rank Nation First Crewed Mission 1 Soviet Union (Russia) 1961 (Vostok 1) 2 United States 1961 (Freedom 7) 3 China 2003 (Shenzhou 5) 4 India aims to become 4th nation to independently launch humans into space (2027 target)
🚀 SECTION 2: ISRO – LAUNCH VEHICLES & FUTURE MISSIONS
ISRO Annual Report 2025-26
Detail Information Total Missions Planned (2026-27) 27 space missions Gaganyaan-related missions 4 missions SSLV missions 5 missions Earth Observation missions 3 missions Communication & Navigation missions 2 missions
Launch Vehicle Developments
Vehicle Status Key Feature HLVM3 Qualified and ready Human-rated version of LVM3 for Gaganyaan NGLV (Next Generation Launch Vehicle) Initiated Reusable technology
Advanced Propulsion Technologies
Technology Status LOX-Methane propulsion Under development Semi-cryogenic propulsion Under development Electric propulsion Under development Air-breathing propulsion Under development
🌙 SECTION 3: INDIAN MOON MISSIONS (CHANDRAYAAN SERIES)
Completed Missions
Mission Launch Year Key Achievements Chandrayaan-1 2008 India’s first lunar probe; discovered water molecules on Moon Chandrayaan-2 2019 Orbiter successfully inserted; lander crash-landed; orbiter continues to study Moon Chandrayaan-3 2023 First successful soft landing near Moon’s South Pole ; rover operated for 14 days
Chandrayaan-3 Discoveries
Discovery Detail Minerals identified Around 8 minerals were identified on lunar surface Seismic activity Studied using instruments on lander Thermal profile Understood temperature variations on Moon’s surface
Chandrayaan-4 (Lunar Sample Return Mission)
Feature Detail Mission Type Lunar Sample Return Mission (first for India) Complexity Most complex lunar endeavour yet Target Launch 2028 Landing Site Mons Mouton region near Moon’s South Pole; site MM-4 selected Site Characteristics Mean slope of 5 degrees, mean height of 5334 metres Mission Components Propulsion Module, Descender Module, Ascender Module, Transfer Module, Re-entry Module
Chandrayaan-5 (Heavy Lander Mission)
Feature Detail Lander Weight Heavier than Chandrayaan-3 Mission Life Target of approximately 100 days (vs 14 days of Chandrayaan-3) Rover Weight Approximately 350 kg (vs 25 kg of Chandrayaan-3)
Future Lunar Roadmap
Milestone Target Year Bharatiya Antariksh Station (Indian Space Station) 2035 Indian astronaut on Moon 2040
🎯 SECTION 4: DRDO – MISSILE TECHNOLOGY
Agni MIRV & Hypersonic Capability (May 2026)
In a span of 72 hours , DRDO demonstrated three complex strategic technologies:
Date Technology Significance May 7, 2026 TARA Glide Weapon System (first flight test) India’s first indigenous modular glide weapon; converts conventional unguided warheads into long-range precision-guided weapons May 8, 2026 Agni Missile with MIRV capability Validated MIRV technology first tested under ‘Mission Divyastra’ (March 2024); ability to strike multiple strategic targets using single missile platform May 9, 2026 Scramjet Combustor test Sustained supersonic combustion for over 1,200 seconds; key technology for future hypersonic cruise missiles
Key Terms Explained
Term Full Form / Meaning MIRV Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle TARA Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (glide weapon system) Scramjet Supersonic Combustion Ramjet
Naval Anti-ship Missile – Short Range (NASM-SR)
Detail Information Test Date April 2026 Launch Platform Indian Navy helicopter (Bay of Bengal, Odisha coast) Type Maiden salvo launch (two missiles in quick succession) Key Capability Waterline hit capability demonstrated Developed by Research Centre Imarat (Hyderabad) + other DRDO labs Production Partners DcPP with Indian industries and start-ups
ULPGM-V3 (UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile)
Detail Information Test Date May 2026 Location DRDO test range, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh Modes Air-to-Ground (anti-tank role) + Air-to-Air (drone, helicopter targets) Production Agencies Bharat Dynamics Limited, Adani Defence Systems & Technologies UAV Partner Newspace Research and Technologies, Bengaluru Nodal Lab Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad
🛡️ SECTION 5: DRDO – ADVANCED DEFENCE SYSTEMS
DRDO-ISRO Collaboration for Himalayan Meteorology
Detail Information Partners DRDO (DGRE) + ISRO (SAC) DGRE Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment, Chandigarh SAC Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad Objective Satellite-based monitoring of snow cover in Himalayas and mountain meteorology forecasts Applications Avalanche prediction, troop movement planning, civil administration support
💻 SECTION 6: QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY & AI
National Quantum Mission Progress
Target Achievement Original Target 2,000 km quantum-secure communication in 8 years Achieved Nearly half the target in less than 4 years
India’s First Quantum Computer
Detail Information Launch Date April 14, 2026 Location Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh Project Amaravati Quantum Valley (AQV) Goal Position Andhra Pradesh among top 5 global quantum technology hubs by 2030
Quantum and AI Sovereignty
Statement by Dr. Jitendra Singh Significance “Quantum and AI sovereignty, along with indigenous ecosystems will define India’s next-generation growth” Highlights government’s focus on deep-tech self-reliance
Post-Quantum Cryptography
Threat Solution Emerging quantum computing capabilities may challenge existing cryptographic systems in banking, governance, telecom Need for Post-Quantum Cryptography, Quantum Key Distribution, Quantum-Safe Infrastructure
Report Released
Report Name Focus “Quantum-Safe Ecosystem in India” National preparedness for “Q-Day” when current encryption becomes vulnerable
💰 SECTION 7: RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT & INNOVATION (RDI) FUND
Overview
Detail Information Scheme Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund Ministry Ministry of Science & Technology (via Technology Development Board) Aim Accelerate private sector participation in R&D Total Proposals Received 124 projects Project Demand Over ₹25,000 crore First Fund Disbursement ₹50 crore to M/s Eyestem Research Pvt. Ltd.
Five High-Impact RDI Projects (May 2026)
Company Project Sector M/s e-TRNL Energy Pvt. Ltd. (Maharashtra) Advanced Lithium-ion battery cells with patented 3D Electrode Architecture (3DEA) technology Energy M/s Dhruva Space Pvt. Ltd. (Hyderabad) “Project Garud” – 500 kg-class modular satellite platform for mass production Space Technology M/s Eyestem Research Pvt. Ltd. (Bengaluru) Cell therapies for Geographic Atrophy & Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Healthcare/Biotechnology M/s Noccarc Robotics Pvt. Ltd. (Uttar Pradesh) Intelligent Mobile Life Support System (iMLSS) – portable ICU platform Healthcare M/s Endure Air Systems Pvt. Ltd. (Noida) “Project Sabal-200” – indigenous unmanned helicopter (>200 kg payload) Aerospace/Defence
Bharat Innovates 2026
Detail Information Event Global showcase of India’s Technology Innovation Venue Nice, France Month June 2026 Participants 15 selected companies from nationwide search
🌕 SECTION 8: NASA – ARTEMIS II MISSION
Mission Details
Feature Information Launch Date April 1, 2026 Launch Vehicle Space Launch System (SLS) rocket Launch Site Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA Mission Type First crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17 (1972) – lunar flyby, no landing Mission Duration 10 days
Artemis II Crew
Astronaut Country Role Historic Significance Reid Wiseman USA Commander – Victor Glover USA Pilot First Black astronaut assigned to a lunar mission Christina Koch USA Mission Specialist First woman to travel beyond low-Earth orbit toward the Moon Jeremy Hansen Canada Mission Specialist First Canadian astronaut to travel beyond Earth orbit
Mission Objectives
Objective Purpose Test life-support systems Validate systems for future lunar landings Test spacecraft performance Orion’s capabilities in deep space Test deep-space navigation Pave way for Artemis III (lunar landing)
🏢 SECTION 9: KEY ORGANISATIONS & PERSONALITIES
ISRO Leadership (2026)
Position Current Head Chairman, ISRO Dr. V. Narayanan
DRDO Leadership (2026)
Position Current Head Chairman, DRDO Dr. Samir V. Kamat Secretary, Department of Defence R&D Dr. Samir V. Kamat
Department of Space (2026)
Detail Information Annual Report 2025-26 released April 29, 2026
Ministry of Science & Technology (2026)
Position Current Head Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dr. Jitendra Singh Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood Secretary, DST & Chairperson, TDB Prof. Abhay Karandikar Secretary, Technology Development Board (TDB) Shri Rajesh Kumar Pathak
🚨 SECTION 10: VERY IMPORTANT ONE-LINERS
ISRO & Space Missions
Fact Detail ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat First uncrewed Gaganyaan mission (G-1) Scheduled for August-September 2026 First crewed Gaganyaan mission (H-1) 2027 target Vyommitra Half-humanoid robot for G-1 mission India aims to become 4th nation to independently launch humans into space NGLV Next Generation Launch Vehicle (reusable technology)
Indian Moon Missions
Fact Detail Chandrayaan-1 Discovered water molecules on Moon (2008) Chandrayaan-3 First successful soft landing near Moon’s South Pole (2023) Chandrayaan-3 rover weight 25 kg; operated for 14 days Chandrayaan-4 India’s first lunar sample return mission ; target 2028 Chandrayaan-4 landing site Mons Mouton (MM-4) near Moon’s South Pole Chandrayaan-5 rover weight Approximately 350 kg Chandrayaan-5 mission life Target of 100 days Indian Space Station Target 2035 Indian astronaut on Moon Target 2040
DRDO & Defence Technology
Fact Detail MIRV technology Demonstrated on May 8, 2026 (Agni missile) Scramjet test duration Over 1,200 seconds TARA India’s first indigenous modular glide weapon NASM-SR Naval Anti-ship Missile-Short Range (maiden salvo launch, April 2026) ULPGM-V3 UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile (Air-to-Ground + Air-to-Air modes)
Quantum Technology
Fact Detail India’s first quantum computer Launched April 14, 2026 in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh National Quantum Mission target 2,000 km quantum-secure communication (nearly half achieved in 4 years)
RDI Fund
Fact Detail RDI Fund ₹25,000 crore project demand, 124 proposals First Fund Disbursement ₹50 crore to M/s Eyestem Research Pvt. Ltd.
NASA Artemis II
Fact Detail Artemis II launched April 1, 2026 Mission type First crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17 (1972) First Black astronaut on lunar mission Victor Glover First woman to Moon vicinity Christina Koch First Canadian beyond Earth orbit Jeremy Hansen
📊 QUICK REVISION TABLE FOR EXAMS
Category Key Fact ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat Gaganyaan G-1 Launch August-September 2026 Gaganyaan H-1 Launch 2027 target Vyommitra Half-humanoid robot for G-1 HLVM3 Status Qualified and ready ISRO Missions 2026-27 27 total missions Chandrayaan-1 Discovered water on Moon (2008) Chandrayaan-3 First South Pole soft landing (2023) Chandrayaan-4 Sample return mission (2028 target) Chandrayaan-5 rover 350 kg; 100-day mission life Indian Space Station 2035 target Indian Moon Landing 2040 target MIRV Test Date May 8, 2026 Scramjet Test Duration 1,200+ seconds India’s First Quantum Computer April 14, 2026 (Amaravati) RDI Fund Disbursement ₹50 crore (first tranche) Artemis II Launch April 1, 2026 NASA’s Last Moon Mission Before Artemis II Apollo 17 (1972)
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi
