INDIAN SCIENCE 

In 2023, the Moon landing stood out as a monumental achievement for Indian science, marking a pivotal moment for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). While ISRO had established itself as a proficient agency in satellite launches and orbital placement, the year witnessed a notable transformation, propelling it toward becoming a comprehensive planetary exploration entity.

2. ISRO's Achievements in 2023

• ISRO experienced a highly productive year, executing seven successful missions, prominently featuring Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1—India's inaugural mission to the Sun. This period marked the end of a comparatively subdued phase for the space agency post the COVID pandemic, which had disrupted schedules, notably impacting the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission initially slated for 2022. With preparatory tests still underway, Gaganyaan is now slated for 2025.
• Simultaneously, ISRO revealed an ambitious roster of forthcoming milestones, indicating its aspirations for the years ahead. These include collaborating with NASA to send an astronaut to the International Space Station in 2024, Chandrayaan-4—an upcoming Moon sample return mission within the next four years, the establishment of the Bhartiya Antariksh Station (Indian Space Station) by 2028, and the human lunar landing mission set for 2040.
• These objectives supplement ISRO's ongoing commitments, encompassing routine launches, astronomy missions, and exploratory ventures to destinations like the Sun, Mars, and Venus. The strategic expansion of ISRO's goals underscores its commitment to advancing space exploration and contributing significantly to the global scientific community.

• The successful moon landing of Chandrayaan-3 in August marked a significant achievement for India's space program, solidifying plans for future lunar exploration. Despite the routine nature of Moon landings by the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s, India's feat remains remarkable, with only China and India accomplishing lunar landings in the last five decades.
• Chandrayaan-3 held special significance as it came after the heartbreak of Chandrayaan-2 in 2019, which faced difficulties in the final moments of its descent. Chandrayaan-3's flawless landing served as redemption for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• Upon reaching the Moon's surface, Chandrayaan-3 executed unannounced manoeuvres, showcasing ISRO's advanced capabilities and signalling its intent for more sophisticated missions. Notably, the 'hop' experiment demonstrated the lander's ability to lift itself about 40 cm above the lunar surface and land 30-40 cm away. This successful maneuver is a crucial test for future sample return or manned missions, where the spacecraft needs to return to Earth.
• A few weeks later, ISRO revealed plans for Chandrayaan-4, confirming it as a sample return mission. This strategic decision aligns with ISRO's continuous efforts to push the boundaries of lunar exploration and enhance its capabilities in space missions.

• The expanding capabilities of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) led to increased international collaborations. In June, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States, India became a participant in the US-led Artemis Accords for planetary exploration. These accords establish a framework of principles for countries engaged in peaceful and cooperative exploration of celestial bodies, fostering a closer alignment between the space programs of India and the United States.
• Highlighting the deepening partnership, ISRO and NASA agreed to a joint mission to the International Space Station. This permanent space laboratory, located approximately 400 km above the Earth's surface, is scheduled for 2024. Notably, this collaboration positions India's astronauts to venture into space earlier than the planned Gaganyaan mission set for 2025.
• In a further display of collaboration, India and the United States established a working group for commercial space collaboration later in the year. This initiative is expected to invigorate the private space industry in India, fostering innovation and advancements in the commercial space sector.
• The collaborative efforts between India and the US extended to planetary defence, with both countries expressing their intention to work together in this crucial domain. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to addressing challenges and ensuring the protection of celestial bodies.

5. Launch of National Research Foundation (NRF)

• Amidst ISRO's pioneering advancements in space exploration, the government took a significant step to elevate scientific research in India. Fulfilling a commitment made five years earlier, the government sanctioned the establishment of the National Research Foundation (NRF). The NRF is envisioned to serve as a crucial entity for funding, promoting, and mentoring research activities across the nation.
• Drawing inspiration from the National Science Foundation (NRF) in the United States, the NRF is set to allocate Rs 50,000 crore over the next five years to support diverse research endeavours. Beyond financial backing, the NRF's distinctive feature lies in its mission to enhance research capacities within universities and colleges.
• Addressing a historical gap between research and higher education, the NRF aims to unite these realms. Currently, there exists a separation between research institutions and educational institutions where limited research activities occur. The NRF's objective is to rebuild research capacities within universities, re-establishing the integral connection between education and research.
• The NRF goes beyond conventional boundaries by not only fostering research in natural sciences and engineering but also extending its support to social sciences, arts, and humanities. With a primary focus on addressing significant societal challenges, the NRF aims to contribute to solutions for critical issues facing Indian society.

National Quantum Mission

In a significant move towards technological advancement, India initiated the Rs 6,000-crore National Quantum Mission in April. This mission sets an ambitious goal of constructing a 1,000-qubit quantum computer over the next eight years. Quantum computers, leveraging quantum mechanical properties, excel in performing tasks deemed impossible or impractical for traditional computers. India's entry into this global technology race positions it strategically to actively contribute and benefit from the evolving field of quantum computing.

LIGO-India Project

April also witnessed the approval of the LIGO-India project, marking a substantial stride in gravitational wave research. This project aims to establish a gravitational wave observatory in Maharashtra, aligning with two existing observatories in the United States that garnered international acclaim by detecting gravitational waves in 2015. By joining this exclusive realm of gravitational wave research, India has the potential to emerge as a frontrunner in a field with limited global players.

Maitri-II Research Station in Antarctica

Towards the end of the year, India announced plans to establish a new research station, Maitri-II, in Antarctica, replacing the ageing Maitri station. This station, alongside Bharati, reflects India's commitment to expanding its research footprint in Antarctica. These stations serve as hubs for diverse scientific studies in the pristine Antarctic environment.

Winter Expedition to the Arctic

In a parallel initiative, India decided to conduct its first winter expedition to the Arctic region, marking a significant expansion of scientific activities in the polar regions. While India already maintains a scientific base in the Arctic, the decision to operate it throughout the year enhances India's year-round presence in this crucial scientific zone.

Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar

The government introduced the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, a new set of national awards for scientists, complementing the restoration of the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes. This revamped award system includes categories such as lifetime achievement, recognition for scientists of any age (contrasting with Bhatnagar Prizes for scientists below 45 years), and acknowledgement of collaborative team efforts. These awards signify the government's commitment to honouring and promoting scientific excellence in diverse domains.

7. India's 2024 Scientific Landscape

XPoSat Launch

Kicking off the new year, India is set to launch the XPoSat (X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite) on January 1. This mission, the world's second of its kind, is designed to study the universe using X-ray polarimetry measurements. Following NASA's Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) in 2021, XPoSat marks India's second consecutive astronomy mission after Aditya-L1. Unlike Earth-focused satellites, these observatories are dedicated to exploring the vast expanse of the universe.

NASA-ISRO Satellite Aperture Radar (NISAR)

The much-anticipated NASA-ISRO Satellite Aperture Radar (NISAR) is scheduled for launch in the first quarter of 2024. This joint venture holds significant promise for advancing remote sensing capabilities and Earth observation. The collaboration between NASA and ISRO in space technology underscores the international cooperation in pushing the boundaries of scientific exploration.

Gaganyaan Test Flight

In the upcoming year, a crucial milestone for India's human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, is on the horizon. A test flight, albeit without astronauts, is scheduled, marking a key step towards realizing India's ambitions of manned space missions. The Gaganyaan mission, originally planned for 2022, has undergone adjustments, with preparatory tests paving the way for the planned launch in 2025.

NRF Impact

With the National Research Foundation (NRF) now in play, the new year holds the promise of addressing research disparities in India. Despite possessing a substantial pool of science and engineering graduates and an extensive network of laboratories, India lags in key research indicators. The NRF's efficacy will be gauged by its impact on increasing research spending, enhancing gender representation in scientific research, and improving the researcher-to-population ratio.

India's commitment to advancing scientific research is underscored by the focus on improving key indicators. With only 0.65% of GDP allocated to scientific research (below the global average of 1.79%), gender disparities in the scientific workforce, and a lower researcher-to-population ratio compared to peer nations, the NRF's initiatives are poised to make a significant difference in shaping India's scientific landscape.