Current Affairs 2 July 2026 | Skyroot Vikram-1 | NASA Swift | eSARAS | ICMEs

Current Affairs

1. What is the Vikram-1 Mission?

Skyroot Aerospace has declared that the maiden flight of its Vikram-1 orbital launch vehicle, Mission Aagaman, will occur between 12 July and 4 August 2026. Launch will be from Sriharikota space centre, Satish Dhawan. Vikram-1 is a three-stage launch vehicle for placing small satellites in orbit. The mission is a historic milestone for India’s private space industry and a showcase of the country’s growing abilities in commercial space launches.

2. India OKs 1st PinS chopper approa

India has certified the first Private Point-in-Space (PinS) Instrument Approach Procedure for helicopter operations at Undavalli Heliport in Andhra Pradesh. PinS is a satellite navigation system that enables helicopters to land safely in bad weather and low visibility. The decision is intended to enhance aviation safety, emergency medical services, disaster response and communications to remote and inaccessible areas.

3. Odisha gives nod to deep sea fishing mission

Odisha Cabinet approves Deep Sea Fishing Mission as flagship scheme for modernisation of marine fishing sector in state The mission will extend financial support for the upgrading of equipment, cold storage facilities, innovative fishing vessels and for the skill enhancement of fishermen. The objective is to boost fish production, enhance the income of fisherfolk, promote sustainable fishing and boost the blue economy of Odisha.

4. Rs 14,115 crore Delhi Tunnel, Kanpur-Kabrai Highway projects cleared by Cabinet

Union Cabinet approves two major highway infrastructure projects at an outlay of Rs 14,114.81 crore. These include 8.1 km long six lane tunnel in Delhi and Kanpur-Kabrai Highway in Uttar Pradesh. The projects are expected to lower travel times, ease traffic congestion and freight movement, improve road safety and drive economic growth by improving regional connections.

5. Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS)- GAGAN 6.

GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) is India’s own Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) together. It corrects navigation errors as they occur and enhances the accuracy and reliability of GPS signals. GAGAN will help improve flight safety, allow aircraft to land with high accuracy and will also give a push to India’s aviation navigation system.

6. NASA’s Swift robotic telescope rescue mission

NASA is planning a robotic servicing mission to extend the life of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory launched in 2004 to investigate gamma ray bursts, black holes, neutron stars and other high energy phenomena in the universe. The robotic mission will allow scientists to keep gathering crucial astronomical data for future space study and save the telescope from early retirement.

7. Van Mahotsav Tree Plantation Campaign:

Van Mahotsav is a tree planting festival in India celebrated every year from 1st July to 7th July. It was established in 1950 by K.M Munshi, the then Union Minister for Agriculture. It calls on individuals, schools, government departments and groups to plant trees and to create awareness on the need for environmental conservation. The festival is significant for enhancing green cover, reducing pollution, conserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change.

8. AI Research in Kodaikanal Solar Observatory

Researchers have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to study over a century of handwritten solar data stored at the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory in Tamil Nadu. Digitalisation has allowed scientists to study old solar charts and discover new things about long-term changes in solar activity and sunspot cycles. The work demonstrates how AI can transform old scientific records into valuable data for space and climate investigations today.

9. Inauguration of Common Incubation Centre of MoFPI at Parbhani

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has launched a modern Common Incubation Centre at the College of Food Technology, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani. The facility will provide access to state-of-the-art food processing equipment, product development laboratories, quality testing, packaging and technical training to startups, entrepreneurs, farmers and students. It is expected to boost innovation and job creation in the food processing industry.

10. Digital SHG Marketplace – eSARAS

eSARAS is the official online marketplace launched under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods Mission. This website provides an opportunity to women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from all over the country to sell their hand-crafted products directly to the customers through internet commerce. It promotes financial inclusion, rural entrepreneurship, better market access and income earning opportunities for women artisans and producers.

11. SHE-LEAPS Platform for Women Rural Entrepreneurs

SHE-LEAPS (Self-Help Entrepreneur–Livelihoods and Enterprise Application for Prosperity and Sustainability) is a digital platform for rural women entrepreneurs affiliated to Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The platform provides solutions for business administration, digital record keeping, financial services, market linkages and training support. It’s supporting women-owned businesses and increasing economic opportunities in rural areas.

12. Thermal evolution of interplanetary coronal mass ejections

Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections (ICMEs) are large-scale ejections of hot plasma and magnetic field from the Sun during intense solar eruptions. As they travel through space they interact with the solar wind and Earth’s magnetic field, often creating geomagnetic storms that can impair satellites, communication systems, GPS and power grids. Better understanding their thermal evolution helps scientists predict space weather and protect critical technological infrastructure.

13. Southern Bird Wing Telangana Views

The Southern Birdwing (Troides minos), the largest butterfly of India and endemic to South India, has been recently recorded from Amrabad Tiger Reserve of Telangana. The rare occasion is a testament to the natural wealth of the reserve, and the success of its biodiversity protection programme. Butterflies are important pollinators and are an indicator of a healthy forest ecology.

14. Seychelles – Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple

Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple is the only Hindu temple in Seychelles and is located in the capital of Seychelles, Victoria. The temple was built by the local Hindu community in 1992 and is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It is famous for its colourful South Indian style of architecture. It is a major worship place and a symbol of the strong cultural ties between India and Seychelles.

15. Gold Crystals from Mt Erebus

Ross Island in East Antarctica is home to Mount Erebus, the world’s southernmost active volcano. It is famous for its long-lived lava lake, and the rare natural occurrence of shooting off tiny particles of gold in volcanic gases. It is said that tiny specks of gold are dumped into the atmosphere . Mount Erebus is thought to be one of the strangest and most scientifically important volcanoes on the planet .