News Wrap: India’s Space Missions, Big India–US & Russia Deals, Security Operations, and Rising Communal Attacks
1. Chandrayaan-4 Set for 2028: ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan Says Work Underway for India’s Own Space Station
ISRO chairman V. Narayanan has said that India’s most complex Moon mission yet, Chandrayaan-4 (LUPEX), approved by the Centre, is planned for launch in 2028 as a joint project with Japan to explore water and other resources on the lunar surface. He confirmed that Gaganyaan’s crewed mission remains scheduled for 2027, with only the uncrewed tests shifted. Narayanan also said Prime Minister Modi has asked ISRO to work towards a manned Moon landing by 2040. Meanwhile, work has begun on the Bharatiya Antariksha Station, with its first module expected in orbit by 2028 and full completion targeted for 2035, which would make India the third nation to operate its own space station.
2. Sentinel-6B Launched to Boost Global Sea-Level Tracking and Weather Forecasting
Sentinel-6B, a joint satellite mission by NASA, NOAA, and the European Space Agency, was launched from California to track rising sea levels and changes in the oceans. The satellite carries six scientific instruments and will orbit Earth every 112 minutes, helping improve weather forecasts, storm and flood predictions, and protecting coastal infrastructure. Working with its twin satellite launched in 2020, Sentinel-6B will provide highly accurate sea-level data from more than 90% of the world’s oceans.
3. Karnataka: PT Teacher Forces Students To Remove Sacred Thread, Do 200 Sit-Ups As Punishment; Suspended
A physical education teacher at Miyyaru Morarji Desai Residential School in Karkala, Karnataka, has been suspended after allegedly forcing students to remove their sacred threads and protective threads on wrists (kalawa) and making them do 200 sit-ups as punishment. The accused, Madarsha S. Makandar, a native of Kalaburagi, joined the school as a guest instructor in June 2025.
Parents and villagers have condemned his actions, stating that he was repeatedly warned but continued his behavior.
The school principal suspended him following complaints, with locals expressing concern that such acts disturb community harmony. In his defense, the teacher reportedly claimed he did not know the significance of the sacred thread.
4. Tri-Service Drill ‘Poorvi Prachand Prahar’ Showcases India’s High-Altitude Battle Readiness in Northeast
Indian armed forces have completed Exercise Poorvi Prachand Prahar in the Northeast, a major tri-service drill involving the Army, Air Force, Navy, and ITBP to test joint operations in high-altitude and tough terrain. Special Forces units and advanced technologies like swarm drones and night-enabled FPVs were used to improve surveillance, precision strikes, and coordination during emergency or war situations. The exercise highlighted strong interoperability and battle readiness along India’s northern borders. Meanwhile, the Army also marked Walong Day in Arunachal Pradesh to honour soldiers who fought bravely in the 1962 India-China war.
5. India, Russia Finalising Agreements, Projects Ahead of Putin’s India Visit: EAM Jaishankar
External affairs minister Dr S. Jaishankar met Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s planned visit to India in early December. Following the meeting, he said both countries are finalising several key agreements, initiatives and projects that will strengthen their strategic partnership. Jaishankar stressed that India-Russia relations remain stable and important despite global tensions and US pressure over Russian energy and defence imports.
The two ministers discussed the Ukraine conflict, Middle East tensions and Afghanistan, with India calling for an early and lasting peace. Lavrov said Russia prioritises ties with India and is working to ensure bilateral trade continues smoothly despite Western sanctions.
6. India–US Trade Pact Nearing Completion as Both Sides Move to End Punitive Tariffs
The United States has indicated that the long-discussed India–US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) is close to being finalised, with both sides working to settle the steep tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Indian goods. A key part of the first phase aims to remove the 50% duties placed on Indian exports because of India’s purchase of Russian crude oil. Officials said this tariff-related package is nearly complete and will form the first tranche of a larger agreement meant to ease recent trade tensions and expand bilateral commerce toward a USD 500-billion goal by 2030. India and the US have held six rounds of talks so far, and the first phase of the pact is expected to be announced soon.
7. Operation Sindoor Updates: Satellite Images Show Pakistan Still Repairing Sites Hit by India
More than six months after India’s Operation Sindoor, satellite images shared by OSINT expert Damien Symon suggest Pakistan is still repairing several military sites hit during the May 2025 conflict. Symon reported that Pakistan has begun construction of a new facility at Rawalpindi’s Nur Khan Airbase, while the damaged hangar at Jacobabad Airbase remains under phased repair. These were among the 11 Pakistani military installations India struck in response to the Pakistan-backed Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan later admitted that Indian missiles hit key sites, including Nur Khan Airbase, which is said to be close to its nuclear command. Symon’s analysis also indicated strikes near Kirana Hills, further confirming the scale and precision of India’s operation.
8. Most-Wanted Maoist Leader Hidma and Wife Hema Shot Dead in Andhra Pradesh Encounter
A top Maoist commander, Madvi Hidma, and his wife, Hema, were among six Maoists killed in a gunfight with security forces in the Maredumilli forests of Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitarama Raju district on Tuesday. The encounter began around 6 am during a large combing operation launched after intelligence suggested senior Maoist leaders were hiding in the area. Police said Hidma, accused of planning several major attacks and carrying a Rs 1 crore bounty, was likely among those neutralised, along with Hema, who had a Rs 50 lakh reward. Another wanted Maoist, Jambri, carrying a Rs 20 lakh bounty, was also killed. The operation is seen as a major setback for the Maoist network as the Union government pushes to eliminate the insurgency.
9. “Hindu or Muslim?”: Islamic Radicals Attack Man in Karnataka After Asking His Religion, Incident Caught on CCTV
In Karnataka’s Shivamogga district, a group of radical Islamists allegedly attacked a Hindu youth named Harish after asking him about his religion. According to the victim, the attackers first questioned him, “Are you Hindu or Muslim?”, and launched a violent assault when he identified himself as Hindu. The entire incident was captured on CCTV cameras installed in the area.
Residents say such attacks have been increasing in the region. Victims allege that despite repeated complaints, the police have taken no serious action, creating an atmosphere of fear. An FIR was finally registered after BJP MLA Channabasappa intervened. Notably, a similar incident occurred in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, when terrorists shot dead Hindu tourists after asking their religion.
10. India–US Sign 10-Year Defence Pact Boosting Atmanirbhar Bharat and Fighter Jet Engine Tech Transfer
India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat gained a major boost with the announcement of a 10-year strategic defence pact between India and the US, signed on October 31, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur. The agreement focuses on defence coordination, information sharing, technology cooperation and regional security. A key part of this partnership is India’s $1.5 billion deal with US firm General Electric to supply and transfer technology for fighter jet engines for the Tejas aircraft, supporting India’s goal of reducing defence imports and strengthening domestic manufacturing. The pact also paves the way for joint production, maintenance in India, future weapon collaborations and deeper geopolitical cooperation, while India has firmly protected its domestic market and independent foreign policy.
