2 Min Series 27 October 2025

 27^th October 2025

1. GSAT-7R: Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced plans to launch the CMS-03 satellite, also known as GSAT-7R, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

• About GSAT-7R: CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite designed primarily for defence and armed forces communication.
• It will provide secure, high-capacity connectivity across a wide oceanic region including the Indian landmass.
• The satellite aims to strengthen naval and strategic communication networks, ensuring better interoperability among armed services.
• Launch Vehicle: LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark 3)
• Technical Specifications: Weight: Around 4,400 kg — the heaviest communication satellite launched to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from Indian soil.
• It will operate in multiple frequency bands, enhancing coverage and redundancy for military communication systems.
• Significance: The CMS-03 mission marks a major milestone in India’s defence space capabilities, strengthening self-reliance in strategic communication infrastructure.

2. E-Courts Project: Recently, the United Kingdom expressed strong interest in India’s ambitious e-Courts Project, a flagship initiative focused on digitising the nation’s entire judicial record system.

• About e-Courts Project: An ambitious digital transformation programme for India’s judiciary, currently in its third phase (Phase III).
• It was conceptualised under the “National Policy and Action Plan for Implementation of ICT in the Indian Judiciary – 2005.”
• Its main objective is to digitise, integrate, and modernise the functioning of the subordinate judiciary across the country.
• Major Targets under Phase III: Migration to cloud technology: The judicial data system will move to cloud infrastructure.
• Estimated cloud storage: 25 petabytes, with a cost of ₹1,205.20 crore.
• Virtual courts: Plan to establish 1,150 virtual courts at an estimated cost of ₹413.08 crore.
• The project includes integration of key justice institutions — courts, jails, police stations, and forensic labs — through the Inter Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS).
• This integration aims to enable seamless data sharing, improving efficiency, coordination, and transparency within the justice ecosystem.

 3. ashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025: Recently, the Government of India announced the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025, the country’s highest honour recognizing exceptional and inspiring contributions in the fields of science, technology, and innovation.

• About Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar: The Puraskar is conferred under four categories:
• Vigyan Ratna: Recognises lifetime achievements and contributions in any field of science and technology.
• Vigyan Shri: For distinguished contributions in any field of science and technology.
• Vigyan Yuva – Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar: For young scientists up to 45 years of age who have made exceptional contributions.
• Vigyan Team: For teams of three or more scientists/researchers who have made exceptional collaborative contributions.
• Selection Process: Selections were made through rigorous evaluation by a panel of eminent scientists, including: Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Chairperson, Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee, Secretaries of Science Departments,Heads of Scientific Academies and Domain experts.

4. Burevestnik: Recently, Russia successfully tested a new nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered cruise missile named

• About Burevestnik: The Burevestnik, meaning “storm petrel” in Russian, is a nuclear-powered, nuclear-capable ground-launched cruise missile developed by Russia. It is designed to fly at low altitudes and deliver strategic, long-range capability while evading enemy detection systems.
• NATO codename: SSC-X-9 Skyfall.
• Its nuclear propulsion system theoretically enables it to circumnavigate the globe multiple times before reaching its target.
• Key Features: Propulsion System: Powered by a miniaturized nuclear reactor, which heats air to propel the missile.
• Provides virtually unlimited range, far exceeding traditional fuel-based cruise missiles.
• Range: Up to 14,000 miles (≈22,000 km).
• Flight Profile: Low-altitude flight path, making it difficult for radar systems to detect. Designed for long endurance and unpredictable trajectories, enhancing its ability to penetrate missile defence systems.

5. Asia Pacific Accident Investigation Group (APAC-AIG): Recently, India announced that it will, for the first time, host the Asia Pacific Accident Investigation Group (APAC-AIG) meeting and workshop.

• About APAC-AIG: It will be organised by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on behalf of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• Participation: Around 90 aircraft accident investigators and representatives are expected to participate.
• Delegates will include members from ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) and aircraft accident investigation authorities from Asia-Pacific countries.
• The meeting aims to: Enhance cooperation and information sharing among Asia-Pacific accident investigation authorities.
  • Exchange expertise and best practices related to aircraft accident and incident investigations.
  • Strengthen regional capabilities in investigation procedures and reporting mechanisms.
  • The APAC-AIG serves as a regional platform under ICAO to promote collaboration and safety improvement across member states.
  • The event reinforces India’s commitment to aviation safety and its growing role in global air transport governance.
  • It will help build technical capacity, foster cross-border collaboration, and advance ICAO’s global safety objectives in the Asia-Pacific region.

6. Cyclone Montha: Recently, the IMD issued a red alert for coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, as Cyclone Montha intensified into a severe cyclonic storm, prompting the evacuation of thousands.

• About Cyclone Montha: A deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal.
• It is expected to make landfall near Kakinada on the Andhra Pradesh coast.
• Montha will be the first cyclone to make landfall over the Indian mainland in 2025.
• Wind speeds: Likely to reach 90–100 km/hr, gusting up to 110 km/hr.
• Movement: Likely to track west-northwestwards and intensify further over the southwest and west-central Bay of Bengal.
• Extremely heavy rainfall (>210 mm/24 hrs) expected over Rayalaseema (Andhra Pradesh)
• Very heavy to heavy rainfall (115–210 mm) expected in northern Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and coastal Karnataka.
• Odisha’s southern districts — Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi— to receive extremely heavy rain.
• Heavy rain forecast also for Yanam, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh.

      7. Maha MedTech Mission: Recently, the Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas (MAHA)–Medical Technology was launched jointly by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the Gates Foundation.

• About Maha MedTech Mission: The mission seeks to accelerate innovation in India’s medical technology (MedTech) sector, reduce dependence on costly imports, and promote equitable access to affordable, high-quality medical devices and technologies.
• Key Goals: Public Health Impact: Support development of technologies that target priority disease areas and improve access to safe, quality healthcare.
• Enabling Ecosystem Initiatives: Patent Mitra – for IP protection and technology transfer.
• MedTech Mitra – for regulatory guidance and clearances.
• Clinical Trial Network – for validation and evidence generation.
• Mentorship from leading industry experts to facilitate commercialization.

8. National Household Income Survey (NHIS): Recently, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has initiated efforts to roll out India’s first National Household Income Survey (NHIS).

• Key Highlights: In MoSPI’s pre-testing:  95% of respondents found the income-related questions “sensitive”.
• 95% felt “uncomfortable” disclosing income from different sources.
• Most refused to share details about income tax paid.
• However, 73% found the questionnaire relevant, and 84% understood its purpose.
• Past Attempts: Earlier efforts (1950s, 1960s, 1980s) to measure household income were abandoned.
• Data often showed income estimates lower than consumption plus savings, making results unreliable.
• These inconsistencies prevented a national rollout in previous decades.

9. PM-ABHIM: Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) highlighted significant progress under PM-ABHIM(Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission), a mission aimed at strengthening India’s healthcare system to be pandemic-ready, resilient, and accessible across the nation.

• About PM-ABHIM: A pan-India health infrastructure programme focused on pandemic preparedness, disease surveillance, and comprehensive healthcare delivery across all levels — primary, secondary, and tertiary.
• Objectives: Build a robust and self-reliant public health infrastructure capable of managing pandemics and health emergencies.
• Establish an IT-enabled, integrated disease surveillance system connecting national, state, and district networks.
• Advance progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG-3) — Good Health and Well-being.
• Model: A hybrid structure combining Centrally Sponsored and Central Sector
• National Surveillance Network: Real-time, digital National Disease Surveillance Platform linking laboratories at local, state, and national levels.
• Integrated Health Framework: Strengthens and complements the National Health Policy (2017), National Health Mission (NHM), and Ayushman Bharat Scheme.
• Focus Areas: Strengthening rural and urban health centres.
  • Enhancing research on infectious diseases.
  • Building community-level health capacity and training.