Over the next week, four gaganyatris (astronauts) will undergo an intense battery of tests wherein their physical, physiological, and mental strengths will be assessed in the backdrop of extreme living conditions in Ladakh.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) Friday announced the launch of Mission MITRA (Mapping of Interoperable Traits and Response Assessment) to take place between April 2-9 in Leh. Results obtained from Mission MITRA will contribute towards designing and developing India’s manned Gaganyaan mission.

As part of this mission, four astronaut-designates – Shubhanshu Shukla, Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, and Angad Pratap – will be tested for their physiological, psychological, and operational dynamics under the behavioural set of tests. In addition, they will be observed for their abilities to communicate, adapt, and handle stress, and their resilience to extreme conditions, Isro said.

Uchral Nyam-Osor has been elected Mongolia’s new prime minister, becoming the country’s third leader in nine months as political instability and economic pressures intensify. Parliament confirmed him with a strong majority, elevating a reform-minded compromise candidate after weeks of deadlock that forced his predecessor to resign. Uchral previously served as parliament speaker and led the ruling party. A former hip-hop artist turned politician, he later held the digital development and communications portfolio, where he pushed transparency and digital governance reforms. The outgoing prime minister, Zandanshatar Gombojav, stepped down amid pressure linked to corruption allegations involving a senior minister, paving the way for Uchral’s selection as a unifying figure acceptable to rival camps aligned with the president and former leadership.

The Ministry of Education, on the advice of the UGC, has declared the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) as an Institution deemed to be a university under a distinct category. In its statement, the Ministry informed that an online application was uploaded on UGC Portal for grant of Institution deemed to be University status under distinct category to NCERT. The Ministry added that the recommendation of the UGC Expert Committee was considered and approved by the commission. The Ministry also directed the NCERT to take appropriate steps to commence research programmes as well as doctoral and innovative academic programmes.

The NCERT is an autonomous organisation set up in 1961 by the Government to assist and advise the Central and State Governments on policies and programmes for qualitative improvement in school education. The major objectives of NCERT and its constituent units are to undertake, promote and coordinate research in areas related to school education, prepare and publish model textbooks, supplementary material, newsletters, journals among others.

The Khelo India Tribal Games concluded today in Chhattisgarh. The closing ceremony, held this evening, was attended by the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai, as the Chief Guest. Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao was also present on the occasion. International boxer Mary Kom and footballer Bhaichung Bhutia attended as special guests.

On the final day of the Games, Men’s football final and various archery finals were held.

In the Men’s football final played in Raipur, West Bengal defeated Chhattisgarh by one goal to nil to clinch the gold medal, while
Chhattisgarh settled for silver.

In Archery, Jharkhand’s Komalika Bari won the gold medal in the women’s recurve individual event, while Nagaland secured gold in the women’s recurve team event. In the men’s recurve individual category, Arjun Khara of Odisha won the gold medal, while Jharkhand clinched gold in the men’s recurve team event.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday unveiled a new curriculum on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computational Thinking for Classes 3 to 8. Speaking at the launch, Pradhan described the initiative as a “transformative step towards future-ready learning” at the start of the academic year. He emphasised that structured AI education is now formally integrated into the school ecosystem at scale.

The curriculum is supported by detailed modules, comprehensive teacher handbooks, and robust student assessment frameworks. According to the minister, this approach will ensure early and systematic exposure to emerging technologies, laying a strong foundation for young learners to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan today said that the 58 Murals in the Samvidan Sadan are more than just works of art, but they are the visual representation of India’s civilisational journey.

Mr Radhakrishnan said this while releasing the book, Tides of Time, authored by Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty in New Delhi.

The Vice President noted that the book captures the timeless beauty and the professional symbolism of the Parliamentary Murals.

Mr Radhakrishnan said that Democracy is often seen as a modern system that came from the West. He added that India’s ancient texts clearly testify that the concept of democracy is not new to the country.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya-GSV have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to train youth in broad areas of Aviation, including Aviation Engineering and Aviation Management. The Ministry of Civil Aviation said, the agreement was signed by DGCA Faiz Ahmed Kidwai and Vice Chancellor of GSV Prof Manoj Choudhury.

During the signing ceremony, Minister of Civil Aviation K Rammohan Naidu, Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw and other senior officials from DGCA, Railways and GSV were present. Speaking on the occasion, the Civil Aviation Minister said that this MoU is going to transform the overall aviation sector in terms of the workforce that the government is trying to build for tomorrow. He said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has witnessed tremendous success in the last 12 years.

Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth on Wednesday (April 1, 2026) assumed charge as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff after the Indian Army announced a series of top-level appointments across key operational commands.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Lt. Gen. Seth was commissioned to the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Over nearly four decades, he has built an operational profile across varied terrains and conflict environments, including counter-insurgency experience. He has commanded an armoured regiment in the desert sector, an armoured brigade, and a counter insurgency force in Jammu & Kashmir. As a Lieutenant General, he led the Sudarshan Chakra Corps and later served as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area.

Indian-origin chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan has become England’s top-rated female player, according to the latest rating list of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

The 11-year-old, whose parents moved from Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu to England in 2007, has a FIDE rating of 2366.

The primary school student from north London has overtaken four-time British women’s champion Lan Yao, 25, at the top of the FIDE list for England.

With this achievement, she has also broken into the world’s top 100 women for the first time and is currently ranked number 72, the English Chess Federation said in a press release.

“It is an extraordinary rise for a Harrow schoolgirl who took up the game during (the 2020 COVID-19) lockdown after finding a chessboard and set in a bag her father wanted to throw out," the release added.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that India’s dedicated venture capital fund for the space sector is progressing steadily, with investment in selected startups expected to begin from the first quarter of FY2027.

In a written reply to an Unstarred Question in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament, Dr. Jitendra Singh informed that the “Antariksh Venture Capital Fund”, set up to boost India’s emerging spacetech ecosystem, has been operationalised with key institutional mechanisms now in place.

The question was raised by Shri Bastipati Nagaraju regarding the status, investments, beneficiaries, returns, and employment generation under the venture capital fund for the space sector.