Science and Technology Current Affairs: ISRO Missions, Space, AI and Quantum for SSC
Rahul Kumar
SSC Exam Expert & Content Editor
In this note
- 1.ISRO at a Glance
- 2.Launch Vehicles
- 3.Major Missions
- 4.National Technology Programmes
- 5.Defence and Nuclear Technology (Static Background)
- 6.Other Terms Often Asked
- 7.How to Study This Topic
- 8.Quick Tips
- 9.Quick Revision Points
- 10.Practice Questions With Answers
- 11.How to Practise This Chapter
- 12.Frequently Asked Questions
PDF Notes: Science and Technology Current Affairs: ISRO Missions, Space, AI and Quantum for SSC
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Questions on science and technology in current affairs mostly come from space missions, defence tests and national technology programmes. This note combines the static background (ISRO’s launch vehicles and early missions) with the major recent missions and government programmes that are most often asked. Since news changes quickly, always verify the latest details from a recent source before the exam.
ISRO at a Glance
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was formed in 1969 and works under the Department of Space. Its headquarters is in Bengaluru.
- India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, was launched in 1975.
- Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian in space in 1984 (aboard the Soviet Salyut 7).
- Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) was launched in 2013 and entered the Martian orbit in September 2014, making India the first country to do so on its first attempt.
- AstroSat (2015) is India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory.
Launch Vehicles
| Vehicle | Notes |
|---|---|
| SLV / ASLV | Early experimental launch vehicles |
| PSLV | Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle: the workhorse for small and polar-orbit satellites |
| GSLV | Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle: uses an indigenous cryogenic stage |
| LVM3 (GSLV Mk III) | Heavy-lift vehicle used for Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 |
| SSLV | Small Satellite Launch Vehicle for small payloads |
Major Missions
| Mission | Key facts |
|---|---|
| Chandrayaan-1 (2008) | India’s first lunar mission; detected water molecules on the lunar surface |
| Chandrayaan-3 (2023) | Landed near the Moon’s south polar region on 23 August 2023. India became the fourth country to soft-land on the Moon and the first to do so near the south pole. |
| Aditya-L1 (2023) | India’s first space-based mission to study the Sun, placed near the Sun-Earth L1 point |
| Gaganyaan | India’s human spaceflight programme to send astronauts to low Earth orbit |
| NISAR | A joint NASA-ISRO radar satellite for Earth observation |
| NavIC | India’s regional navigation satellite system (earlier IRNSS) |
- Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla travelled to the International Space Station in 2025 on a commercial mission (Axiom-4), becoming the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS. Verify details from a current source.
- The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) was created in 2020 to open the space sector to private players.
- NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is the commercial arm of the Department of Space.
National Technology Programmes
| Programme | Purpose |
|---|---|
| India Semiconductor Mission | To build a semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in India (approved in December 2021) |
| IndiaAI Mission | To build AI computing capacity, datasets and skills (approved in March 2024) |
| National Quantum Mission | To develop quantum computing, communication and sensing technologies (approved in 2023) |
| Digital India | Digital infrastructure and e-governance since 2015 |
| Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes | Incentives for manufacturing in electronics, mobiles and other sectors |
Defence and Nuclear Technology (Static Background)
- DRDO is the Defence Research and Development Organisation, established in 1958.
- Agni and Prithvi are surface-to-surface missile series; BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile developed with Russia.
- India conducted its first nuclear test (Smiling Buddha) in 1974 and the Pokhran-II tests in May 1998.
- India’s nuclear doctrine follows "no first use".
Other Terms Often Asked
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): machines that mimic human learning and reasoning.
- Quantum computing: computing that uses qubits to solve certain problems faster.
- 5G: the fifth generation of mobile networks, launched in India in October 2022.
- CRISPR: a gene-editing technology.
- Biotechnology and mRNA: technologies used in modern vaccines.
How to Study This Topic
- Make a table of mission, year, launch vehicle and purpose.
- Read a monthly current affairs magazine for the last 6 to 12 months.
- Keep the "firsts" of India separate for quick revision.
- Verify any new mission or programme from an official source such as ISRO, PIB or DRDO.
Quick Tips
- Link each mission with its year and purpose: Chandrayaan (Moon), Aditya (Sun), Mangalyaan (Mars).
- Learn the full forms: PSLV, GSLV, SSLV, LVM3, NavIC, IN-SPACe.
- Current affairs change; always check the latest news for the last 6 to 12 months.
- Pay attention to "first" and "only" facts, which are favourite exam questions.
Quick Revision Points
- ISRO was formed in 1969; Aryabhata was launched in 1975.
- Mangalyaan reached Mars orbit in September 2014.
- Chandrayaan-3 landed near the Moon’s south pole on 23 August 2023.
- Aditya-L1 is the Sun mission; Gaganyaan is the human spaceflight programme.
- IN-SPACe (2020) opened the space sector to private players.
Practice Questions With Answers
- Which was India’s first satellite?
Answer: Aryabhata (1975) - Which mission studies the Sun?
Answer: Aditya-L1 - Which launch vehicle was used for Chandrayaan-3?
Answer: LVM3 - In which year did Mangalyaan enter the Martian orbit?
Answer: 2014 - What is NavIC?
Answer: India’s regional navigation satellite system - Which is India’s human spaceflight programme?
Answer: Gaganyaan - Where is the headquarters of ISRO?
Answer: Bengaluru - Which position did India achieve among countries to soft-land on the Moon?
Answer: The fourth country - What is the commercial arm of the Department of Space?
Answer: NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) - Which body was set up in 2020 to promote private participation in space?
Answer: IN-SPACe
How to Practise This Chapter
Practise 10 questions every day and write the steps on paper. Then attempt timed sets from our practice papers and the previous year papers page. See all topics on the Science and Technology Current Affairs notes page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ISRO?
The Indian Space Research Organisation, India’s national space agency, headquartered in Bengaluru.
What was special about Chandrayaan-3?
It landed near the Moon’s south polar region on 23 August 2023, a first for any country.
What is Aditya-L1?
India’s first space-based observatory to study the Sun.
What is Gaganyaan?
India’s programme to send humans to low Earth orbit.
What is NISAR?
A radar imaging satellite built jointly by NASA and ISRO.
What is NavIC?
The Navigation with Indian Constellation, a regional satellite navigation system.
What is IN-SPACe?
An agency created in 2020 to authorise and promote private space activities.
What is the India Semiconductor Mission?
A programme to set up semiconductor manufacturing in India.
What is the IndiaAI Mission?
A national programme for AI computing power, data and skills.
What is the National Quantum Mission?
A mission to develop quantum technologies in India.
How should I prepare current affairs for SSC?
Revise the last 6 to 12 months from a monthly magazine and verify facts from official sources.
Are the details here final?
No. News changes quickly, so please verify the latest information before the exam.
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Rahul Kumar
SSC Exam Expert & Content Editor
Rahul is a senior SSC exam strategist with 8+ years of experience helping aspirants crack CGL, CHSL and MTS exams. He writes in-depth notification breakdowns, exam pattern guides and preparation strategies.