CURRENT AFFAIRS | 26 MAY 2026
ISRO’s National Review Committee has cleared the Gaganyaan G-1 uncrewed mission for launch within the next 3-4 months. The first of three uncrewed test flights will carry the half-humanoid Vyommitra payload on the Human-Rated LVM3 (HRLV) — a watershed moment for India’s human spaceflight ambitions, and a CLAT-2027 hot zone for Science & Tech, IR and IPR.
Constitutional & Statutory Framework
India is a signatory to Outer Space Treaty 1967, Rescue Agreement 1968, Liability Convention 1972 and Registration Convention 1976. Domestic Indian Space Policy 2023 + draft Space Activities Bill govern private participation. IN-SPACe (2020) is the single-window regulator-promoter; NSIL commercialises ISRO IP. Space falls under Union List Entry 86 (Atomic Energy & related research).
CLAT Angle — What to memorise
Gaganyaan = India’s human spaceflight programme (announced PM 15 Aug 2018). 3 uncrewed + 1 crewed flights. Vyommitra = half-humanoid robot. HRLV = Human-Rated LVM3 (Bahubali). Campaign window: 90 days (vs standard 60). After Gaganyaan: Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035 + crewed Moon landing by 2040. Pair with Chandrayaan-3 Shiv Shakti Point and Aditya-L1.
Key Facts Table
| Treaty / Body | Year | Holding / Function |
|---|---|---|
| Outer Space Treaty | 1967 | No sovereignty in space; state liability |
| Rescue Agreement | 1968 | Return of astronauts/objects |
| Liability Convention | 1972 | Launching state absolutely liable on surface |
| IN-SPACe | 2020 | Single-window for private space sector |
Mnemonic — “GAGAN-VYOM-HRLV = 3-4 Months”
Gaganyaan G-1 cleared · Vyommitra (half-humanoid) onboard · HRLV (Human-Rated LVM3) launcher · 3 uncrewed + 1 crewed · BAS 2035, Moon 2040. Treaty trio: OST 1967 / Rescue 1968 / Liability 1972.
Save this for revision — likely CLAT 2027 GK + IR cross-link.
Practice Quiz — 10 CLAT-Style Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.
