In early 2025, India’s space program achieved two major milestones at a time when global competition in space technology was rising. On January 31, ISRO launched the SpadeX mission from Sriharikota.
The mission successfully demonstrated space docking technology using two satellites, SDX01 as the chaser and SDX02 as the target. With this, India became the fourth country after the US, Russia and China to master satellite rendezvous and undocking. The achievement boosts India’s confidence for future missions such as Chandrayaan 4.
SpadeX was developed under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and cost less than Rs 150 crore, which is significantly lower than similar projects in other countries.
The momentum continued with the Union Budget 2025 announced on February 1. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman increased the allocation for the Department of Space to Rs 13,000 crore which is 15 percent higher than the previous year.
The budget also introduced tax exemptions for space startups with a turnover of up to Rs 50 crore and announced incentives for private companies involved in satellite manufacturing. The budget followed its larger theme of Sabka Vikas and extended the no tax slab for salaried individuals to Rs 12.75 lakh.
TDS limits on rental income were also raised. These steps were linked to the government’s goal of making India a 10 trillion dollar economy by 2030 with the space sector expected to contribute nearly 2 percent to the GDP.
Critics said the budget did not give enough attention to rural infrastructure. Even so, India strengthened its position as a rising space power and continued to build collaborations such as the Artemis Accords.
Question 1: What was the key technological achievement of the SpadeX mission?
(A) Space docking and undocking
(B) Lunar landing simulation
(C) Interplanetary probe launch
(D) Deployment of a large satellite constellation
Question 2: How did the Union Budget 2025 support the space sector?
(A) By cutting overall funding
(B) By increasing allocation and offering tax exemptions to startups
(C) By introducing compulsory private sector quotas
(D) By prioritising foreign aid over domestic research
Passage 2:
April 2025 saw a sudden rise in tensions between India and Pakistan after the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 23. Militants targeted tourists in the Baisaran Valley which led to 12 deaths and 25 injuries.
Kashmir saw its first statewide shutdown in 35 years. The attack was claimed by Lashkar e Taiba and reignited discussions on cross border terrorism. India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, shut the Attari Wagah border and expelled several Pakistani diplomats which brought down the High Commission staff by half.
Pakistan responded by suspending the Simla Agreement, closing its airspace to Indian flights and stopping bilateral trade. This marked the start of the 2025 India Pakistan standoff on April 25.
Troop mobilisation along the LoC increased sharply. Artillery exchanges were reported in the Poonch sector. Mediation attempts led by the UN and the US failed as both countries accused each other of ceasefire violations. The standoff disrupted trade worth almost 2 billion dollars especially in textiles and pharmaceuticals.
In India, political pressure increased for stronger counter terrorism laws. Parliament debated amendments to the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. Many analysts said the crisis tested the government’s Neighbourhood First approach and exposed gaps in post Article 370 security management.
A fragile ceasefire was in place by the end of April but experts warned of long term instability and setbacks for SAARC.
Question 3: Which Indian response to the Pahalgam attack affected water sharing?
(A) Expelling diplomats
(B) Closing airspace
(C) Restricting textile trade
(D) Suspending the Indus Waters Treaty
Question 4: The passage suggests the crisis mainly tested which foreign policy pillar?
(A) Neighbourhood First
(B) Act East Policy
(C) Look West
(D) Indo Pacific Vision
Passage 3:
In June 2025 Parliament passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 which was renamed the Unified Waqf Management Empowerment Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Act. The Act updated the nearly three decade old Waqf Act of 1995.
It aimed to increase transparency in the management of Waqf properties, digitise land records and allow non Muslims to be part of Waqf boards for better oversight.
Supporters said the Act would help unlock assets worth nearly one lakh crore rupees for welfare programs. Critics said it raised concerns about state overreach and potential impact on minority rights.
Around the same time IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station as part of the Axiom 4 mission. He reached the ISS on June 15 aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft which was commanded by Peggy Whitson.
Shukla conducted 14 days of experiments involving microgravity biology and Earth observation. He also interacted with Indian students for STEM outreach. His mission was part of the ISRO NASA partnership and aligned with India’s Gaganyaan plans for 2026.
These developments reflected India’s mix of domestic reforms and growing international presence supported by an IMF projection of 6.5 percent GDP growth.
Question 5: The UMEED Act amends which earlier legislation?
(A) Minority Rights Act 1992
(B) Waqf Act 1995
(C) Religious Endowments Act 1863
(D) Charity Commissioner Act 1950
Question 6: Shubhanshu Shukla’s ISS mission involved collaboration with which agency?
(A) ESA
(B) NASA
(C) Roscosmos
(D) CNSA
Passage 4:
July 2025 brought a mix of diplomatic recognition and development projects for India. On July 10 Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Namibia’s highest civilian award the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis.
It was his 27th foreign honour. Namibia recognised India’s increasing engagement with Africa which included development aid worth 5 billion dollars and support during the pandemic. Talks during the visit focused on green energy and access to critical minerals needed for India’s electric vehicle push.
Back home, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the Singadur Bridge in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district on July 20. The 2.44 kilometre cable stayed bridge connects Sagara and Marakutika across the Sharavati River.
Built at a cost of Rs 200 crore, the bridge reduces travel time by nearly 45 minutes and is expected to improve connectivity in the Western Ghats. It also supports eco tourism in the region. The project is part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana. Environmental groups raised concerns about possible effects on biodiversity.
Question 7: Modi’s award from Namibia highlights India’s engagement with which region?
(A) Africa
(B) Latin America
(C) Southeast Asia
(D) Central Asia
Question 8: The Singadur Bridge was built under which major infrastructure scheme?
(A) Bharatmala Pariyojana
(B) Sagarmala
(C) Setu Bharatam
(D) Gati Shakti
Passage 5:
India’s defence sector and political landscape saw significant developments between August and September 2025. On Independence Day the government announced the successful test firing of the Agni 5 ballistic missile from the Chandipur range in Odisha.
The missile has a range of 5,000 kilometres and carries MIRV technology which makes it capable of delivering multiple warheads. It strengthens India’s nuclear deterrence and reflects the growing contribution of indigenous DRDO technology.
In September CP Radhakrishnan took oath as the 15th Vice President of India. He succeeded Jagdeep Dhankhar after winning the election in July 2025. A senior BJP leader and former Governor of Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan said he would work on improving the functioning of the Rajya Sabha as its new chairman.
During the same period the Navy commissioned INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri under Project 17A which added to India’s naval strength in the Indian Ocean. These events occurred at a time when the US had increased tariffs on several Indian products by 50 percent.
Question 9: The Agni 5 test in August 2025 strengthened India in which area?
(A) Conventional artillery
(B) Submarine systems
(C) Anti satellite warfare
(D) Strategic deterrence
Question 10: Who became the Vice President of India in September 2025?
(A) Venkaiah Naidu
(B) CP Radhakrishnan
(C) Hamid Ansari
(D) Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu
