All mission details, technical specifications, and launch schedules are verified against official ISRO publications and space agency records:
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): Official Mission Updates and Press Releases (isro.gov.in).
- Department of Space (DOS): Annual Report 2025-26, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
- Lok Sabha Standing Committee on Space: Parliamentary Committee Reports on Indian Space Programme.
- National Broadsheet Corroboration: Analysis from The Hindu (Science & Technology) and Indian Express (Explained Desk).
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has embarked on an ambitious 2026 mission calendar that includes India's first crewed spaceflight (Gaganyaan), the next lunar exploration mission (Chandrayaan-4), and continued observations from the solar observatory (Aditya-L1). These missions represent quantum leaps in India's space capabilities and are guaranteed high-yield material for competitive examinations.
PYQ Junction has compiled a comprehensive guide to all major ISRO missions in 2026, covering technical specifications, mission objectives, and exam-relevant facts. This guide provides free previous year question papers and current affairs MCQs for UPSC Civil Services, SSC CGL/CHSL, NDA, CDS, CUET General Test, and university entrance exams (AMU & JMI) — no login required.
- Gaganyaan Mission: India's first crewed spaceflight — objectives, crew, and technical details
- Chandrayaan-4: Next lunar mission — sample return and landing site selection
- Aditya-L1: Solar observatory at Lagrange Point 1 — scientific objectives and discoveries
- Other Key ISRO Missions 2026: NGLV, GSLV-F15, PSLV-C60, and commercial launches
- India's Space Policy & Regulatory Framework: IN-SPACe and private sector participation
- ISRO Launch Vehicle Comparison Table: PSLV, GSLV, SSLV, and NGLV specifications
- 5 High-Yield Exam Practice MCQs with Detailed Solutions
1. Gaganyaan Mission: India's First Crewed Spaceflight
Gaganyaan is India's first human spaceflight programme, aiming to send a crew of 3 Indian astronauts (Vyomanauts) to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for a 3-day mission. This historic mission will make India the fourth nation to independently send humans to space, after the USSR, USA, and China.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Mission Objective | Demonstrate end-to-end crewed spaceflight capability — launch, orbital insertion, re-entry, and recovery |
| Crew Size | 3 Vyomanauts (Indian astronauts) |
| Orbit | Low Earth Orbit (LEO) — 400 km altitude, 51.6° inclination |
| Duration | 3 days in space |
| Launch Vehicle | GSLV Mk III (LVM-3) — Human-rated version |
| Crew Module | 3.7-tonne Crew Module with life support systems, abort escape system |
| Target Launch Date | Q4 2026 (December 2026) |
| Training Partners | Gagarin Research & Test Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC), Russia + ISRO's Astronaut Training Facility, Bengaluru |
Selected Vyomanauts (Astronauts)
Four Indian Air Force pilots were shortlisted and trained for the Gaganyaan mission:
- Group Captain Prashant Nair — Mission Commander
- Group Captain Ajit Krishnan — Pilot
- Group Captain Angad Pratap — Flight Engineer
- Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla — Backup Crew
2. Chandrayaan-4: Next Lunar Mission
Chandrayaan-4 is ISRO's ambitious lunar sample return mission, designed to collect and bring back approximately 2-3 kg of lunar soil and rock samples from the Moon's south polar region. Building on the success of Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander, this mission represents a quantum leap in India's lunar exploration capabilities.
| Parameter | Chandrayaan-3 (2023) | Chandrayaan-4 (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Objective | Soft landing & rover exploration | Sample return (2-3 kg lunar soil) |
| Landing Site | South Pole (69.37°S, 32.35°E) | South Polar Region (exact site TBD) |
| Components | Orbiter, Lander (Vikram), Rover (Pragyan) | Orbiter, Lander, Ascent Vehicle, Earth Return Vehicle |
| Sample Return | No | Yes — 2-3 kg lunar regolith |
| Mission Duration | 14 days (surface operations) | 45 days (total mission) |
| Launch Vehicle | LVM-3 | LVM-3 (with additional propulsion stage) |
3. Aditya-L1: Solar Observatory at Lagrange Point 1
Aditya-L1 is India's first dedicated solar observation mission, stationed at the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1), approximately 1.5 million km from Earth. Launched on September 2, 2023, the spacecraft has been providing invaluable data on solar phenomena.
Scientific Objectives & Achievements (2026 Status)
- Solar Corona Studies: Continuous observation of the solar corona, providing insights into coronal heating and solar wind acceleration.
- Solar Flare Monitoring: Real-time detection and characterization of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
- Helioseismology: Studying solar oscillations to understand the Sun's internal structure and dynamics.
- Solar Magnetic Field Mapping: Measuring the Sun's magnetic field topology and its evolution over the solar cycle.
- Key Discovery (2026): Aditya-L1's SUIT (Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope) captured unprecedented high-resolution images of solar prominences, contributing to improved space weather forecasting.
Aditya-L1 Payloads
| Payload | Full Name | Objective |
|---|---|---|
| VELC | Visible Emission Line Coronagraph | Coronal mass ejection (CME) detection, coronal hole studies |
| SUIT | Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope | UV imaging of photosphere and chromosphere |
| SoLEXS | Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer | Solar flare X-ray spectroscopy |
| HEL1OS | High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer | Hard X-ray solar flare observations |
| MAG | Magnetometer | Interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) measurement at L1 |
4. Other Key ISRO Missions 2026
Beyond Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan-4, ISRO has several other significant missions planned for 2026:
| Mission | Launch Vehicle | Objective | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| NGLV (Next Generation Launch Vehicle) | NGLV (Reusable) | Heavy-lift launch vehicle — 20-tonne LEO capacity, reusable first stage | maiden flight Q2 2026 |
| GSLV-F15 | GSLV Mk II | NVS-03 navigation satellite launch | Q3 2026 |
| PSLV-C60 | PSLV-XL | SPADEX-2 (Space Docking Experiment) — orbital refueling demonstration | Q4 2026 |
| SSLV-D3 | Small Satellite Launch Vehicle | Commercial small satellite launches — 500 kg SSO capacity | Q2 2026 |
| LVM3-M5 | LVM-3 | OneWeb Gen-2 satellite constellation deployment | Q3 2026 |
5. India's Space Policy & Regulatory Framework
India's space sector underwent a paradigm shift with the liberalization of space activities to private players:
- Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe): Established in 2020 as the single-window nodal agency for promoting and authorizing private sector participation in space activities.
- Space Activities Act (2024): Comprehensive legislation governing space activities, orbital debris mitigation, and liability frameworks.
- Private Launch Pads: 3 private launch pads under construction — Agnikul Cosmos (Sriharikota), Skyroot Aerospace (Kulasekarapattinam), and Bellatrix Aerospace (Karnataka).
- Space FDI: 100% FDI permitted under automatic route for satellite manufacturing, launch vehicles, and space-based applications.
- India's Space Economy: Currently valued at $7.4 billion (2026), projected to reach $44 billion by 2033 (IN-SPACe estimates).
6. ISRO Launch Vehicle Comparison Table
Understanding ISRO's launch vehicle family is essential for Science & Technology sections in UPSC, SSC, and NDA exams:
| Launch Vehicle | Stages | LEO Capacity | GTO Capacity | Key Missions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSLV | 4 stages (solid + liquid + solid) | 3,800 kg (600 km SSO) | 1,400 kg | Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter, Cartosat series |
| GSLV Mk II | 3 stages (solid + liquid + cryogenic) | 5,000 kg | 2,500 kg | Chandrayaan-2, NAVIC satellites |
| LVM-3 (GSLV Mk III) | 3 stages (solid + liquid + cryogenic) | 10,000 kg | 4,000 kg | Chandrayaan-3, Gaganyaan, OneWeb |
| SSLV | 3 stages (all solid) | 500 kg (SSO) | N/A | Small satellite commercial launches |
| NGLV (Upcoming) | 2 stages (semi-cryogenic + cryogenic, reusable) | 20,000 kg | 10,000 kg | Heavy-lift, reusable first stage |
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8. 5 High-Yield Exam Practice MCQs with Detailed Solutions
Q1. How many Indian astronauts (Vyomanauts) will be sent to space in the Gaganyaan mission?
- (a) 2
- (b) 3
- (c) 4
- (d) 5
Answer: (b) 3
Explanation: Gaganyaan will send a crew of 3 Indian astronauts (Vyomanauts) to Low Earth Orbit for a 3-day mission aboard the GSLV Mk III (LVM-3) human-rated launch vehicle.
Q2. What is the primary objective of Chandrayaan-4 mission?
- (a) Soft landing on lunar south pole
- (b) Lunar orbital insertion
- (c) Sample return (2-3 kg lunar soil)
- (d) Lunar water ice prospecting
Answer: (c) Sample return (2-3 kg lunar soil)
Explanation: Chandrayaan-4 is designed to collect and return approximately 2-3 kg of lunar soil and rock samples from the Moon's south polar region, building on the success of Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander.
Q3. At which Lagrange Point is India's Aditya-L1 solar observatory stationed?
- (a) L2 (1.5 million km from Earth, opposite the Sun)
- (b) L1 (1.5 million km from Earth, between Sun and Earth)
- (c) L3 (behind the Sun)
- (d) L4 (60° ahead of Earth in orbit)
Answer: (b) L1 (1.5 million km from Earth, between Sun and Earth)
Explanation: Aditya-L1 is stationed at the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1), approximately 1.5 million km from Earth, providing an uninterrupted view of the Sun for continuous solar observation.
Q4. Which Indian organization is the single-window nodal agency for promoting private sector participation in space activities?
- (a) ISRO
- (b) DOS (Department of Space)
- (c) IN-SPACe
- (d) NSIL (NewSpace India Limited)
Answer: (c) IN-SPACe
Explanation: Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) is the single-window nodal agency established in 2020 under the Department of Space to promote and authorize private sector participation in space activities.
Q5. What is the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) payload capacity of ISRO's upcoming Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV)?
- (a) 5,000 kg
- (b) 10,000 kg
- (c) 20,000 kg
- (d) 30,000 kg
Answer: (c) 20,000 kg
Explanation: ISRO's upcoming Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) is designed with a 20,000 kg LEO capacity and 10,000 kg GTO capacity, featuring a reusable first stage for cost reduction.
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