Marking a historic leap in India’s space journey, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to conduct groundbreaking food and nutrition experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission. The announcement was made by Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh, signaling India’s expanding footprint in space biotechnology and sustainable life support systems.

Serving as Mission Pilot for the Axiom-4 mission, Shukla will join a globally diverse team comprising Commander Peggy Whitson of the United States, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary—both representing the European Space Agency (ESA). The mission is expected to launch no earlier than June 8, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and will involve a 14-day stay aboard the ISS.

Central to Shukla’s role on the mission will be a series of advanced experiments focused on sustainable food sources for long-duration space travel. Emphasis will be placed on studying algae and spirulina—microorganisms known for their high nutritional value and ability to recycle carbon dioxide into oxygen. These experiments aim to tackle two of spaceflight’s critical challenges: ensuring astronaut nutrition and maintaining cabin air quality in closed-loop systems.

This initiative is a result of collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). Together, they have formed a Joint Working Group (JWG) to accelerate space biotech research. Under this framework, Indian scientists have developed indigenous biotech kits tailored for microgravity conditions. These kits will be deployed in orbit to support seven India-led experiments onboard the ISS.

Highlighting the broader mission impact, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, “This partnership between ISRO and DBT represents a major step toward creating self-reliant life support systems in space. The use of algae and spirulina can address both food security and environmental sustainability for space missions, with potential applications even on Earth.”

The Axiom-4 mission will feature more than 60 experiments involving scientists from 31 countries. For India, it holds special historical significance: Group Captain Shukla will become the first Indian to visit the ISS and the first Indian astronaut in space since Rakesh Sharma’s iconic mission in 1984. Shukla, one of ISRO’s four Gaganyaan astronaut-designates, has undergone extensive training at NASA to prepare for this international mission.

With India now taking part in the latest chapter of space innovation, the mission is expected to yield critical insights into biomanufacturing, life sciences, and long-term human habitation in space. It underscores the nation’s growing role in the global space community and its commitment to using science for the betterment of humanity—on Earth and beyond.

General Vijay Kumar Singh, the current Governor of Mizoram and former Chief of Army Staff, visited the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla, Pune, to serve as the Reviewing Officer of the Spring Term 2025 Passing Out Parade (POP). His return to the academy where his military journey began marked a full-circle moment in a distinguished career spanning over four decades.

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General Singh, a 1970 graduate of the Indian Military Academy and a veteran of the 2nd Battalion of the Rajput Regiment, stood tall in the ceremonial khaki PT dress—shorts, shirt, and knee-high socks—during the parade. Photos of him walking alongside senior officers, beneath the inscription “Hunters at the Helm,” quickly circulated on social media, drawing attention to the moment’s symbolism. The phrase echoed General Singh’s enduring reputation for decisive and action-oriented leadership throughout his career.

The parade was a formal and dignified affair, with General Singh overseeing the passing out of future officers of the Indian Armed Forces. His presence underscored the continuity of military tradition and the deep bond between generations of NDA graduates. Among those present was Col Shiv Raichand (Signals), a former commanding officer from the early 1990s, highlighting the long-standing relationships formed in uniform.

General Singh’s stature as a former Army Chief and recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and Yudh Seva Medal (YSM) was acknowledged by many in attendance. As the first commando to rise to the position of Chief of Army Staff, his career remains a source of inspiration for young cadets.

The use of the colonial-era khaki uniform—still worn ceremonially despite the Indian Army’s official adoption of olive green post-independence—sparked quiet conversation among observers about tradition and modern identity within the armed forces.

While General Singh has since transitioned into political and gubernatorial roles, many in the military fraternity continue to admire his leadership style and straightforward approach. Though he served as a Minister of State in the Second Modi Ministry after joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014, some observers feel his potential as Defence Minister was constrained by political calculations.

His visit to NDA as Reviewing Officer was a reminder of the legacy he helped shape and the expectations placed on future officers. As one cadet noted, “Watching him today was like seeing history walk past us. You don’t forget moments like these.”

India has officially confirmed that it lost fighter jets during the recent four-day conflict with Pakistan, marking the first public acknowledgment from New Delhi since hostilities erupted in early May. The confirmation came from Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan during an interview at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday.

General Chauhan, speaking to Bloomberg Television, said the exact number of Indian aircraft lost would not be disclosed but emphasized that the focus should be on the circumstances that led to the losses rather than the figures themselves. “What is important is not the jet being down, but why they were down,” he said, underscoring the need to learn from operational errors.

He firmly dismissed Pakistan’s claim that it had shot down six Indian warplanes during the conflict, calling the assertion “absolutely incorrect.” Instead, he pointed to India’s rapid response and recovery after initial setbacks, noting that Indian fighter jets were successfully deployed again within two days to carry out precision strikes on heavily defended targets in Pakistan.

Chauhan described the episode as a significant learning experience for the Indian Air Force. “The good part is that we are able to understand the tactical mistake which we made, remedy it, rectify it, and then implement it again after two days,” he said, highlighting India’s ability to adapt and continue operations effectively.

The hostilities, which began on May 7, followed a deadly terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22 that claimed 26 civilian lives. India accused Pakistan of orchestrating the attack, a charge Islamabad denied. The ensuing conflict involved aerial dogfights, missile strikes, drone operations, and cross-border artillery exchanges, making it the most intense confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in over 50 years.

Despite the severity of the fighting, General Chauhan clarified that the situation never approached the threshold of nuclear escalation. “We had channels of communication open at all times to ensure control over the situation,” he said, offering reassurance that deterrence mechanisms were firmly in place.

This marks the first time that India has openly addressed the extent of its aerial losses, though the government continues to withhold specific details for strategic reasons. Until now, India had remained tight-lipped in response to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s early-May statement claiming that Pakistan had shot down six Indian fighter jets.

While analysts had speculated about aircraft losses on both sides, no independent verification has been possible given the sensitivity and restricted access to combat zones. The Indian acknowledgment now provides partial clarity, even as full details remain classified.

The comments by General Chauhan add new dimension to the evolving narrative of the May conflict and reflect a shift toward transparency, albeit carefully calibrated. They also signal India’s intent to analyze its setbacks internally while maintaining strategic ambiguity about operational details.

With tensions now reduced but not fully resolved, both nations face renewed calls for de-escalation, diplomatic engagement, and stronger crisis-management frameworks to prevent future flare-ups from spiraling into larger conflicts.