NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Tuesday passed a resolution welcoming the safe return of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from the International Space Station (ISS), hailing his 18-day space mission as a milestone in India's space journey and a source of inspiration for the nation's youth.
Group Captain Shukla, who returned to Earth on July 15, 2025, became the first Indian astronaut to travel to the ISS. Launched on June 25 as part of the Axiom-4 mission, he conducted a range of scientific experiments in microgravity and worked in close coordination with fellow crew members of Expedition 73.
Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "The mission of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is not just the success of one person, it is an example of inspiration for the young generation of India. This will increase curiosity in our children and youth, and develop scientific thinking. Influenced by this, a large number of youth will make science and innovation their career. The Cabinet firmly believes that this mission will give new energy to the resolve of developed India. The dream of making India a developed nation by 2047, which the Prime Minister has seen, will get new strength."
The Cabinet described the moment as one of “pride, glory and joy” for the nation, and praised the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the broader scientific community for enabling the achievement through sustained efforts and technical excellence.
During the mission, Shukla carried out advanced experiments in space biology and human physiology, including research on muscle regeneration, microbial growth, cognitive performance, crop viability, and the behaviour of cyanobacteria. These findings are expected to contribute significantly to India’s future human spaceflight goals, including the Gaganyaan mission and the proposed Bharatiya Antariksha Station .
Highlighting India's rising stature in global space cooperation, the Cabinet also recalled landmark achievements such as the Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing and the Aditya-L1 solar observatory mission. These, it said, underscored the country's scientific excellence and growing space economy.
The Cabinet credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for steering India's space ambitions, citing his “strategic foresight” and “unwavering belief” in India's potential to lead among spacefaring nations.
The resolution also noted the emergence of nearly 300 start-ups in the space sector, reflecting the success of government reforms that have catalysed innovation, job creation and entrepreneurship.
Reaffirming its commitment to building a Viksit Bharat by 2047, the Cabinet said the success of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission would galvanise scientific spirit across generations and propel India’s space aspirations into a new era.
Group Captain Shukla, who returned to Earth on July 15, 2025, became the first Indian astronaut to travel to the ISS. Launched on June 25 as part of the Axiom-4 mission, he conducted a range of scientific experiments in microgravity and worked in close coordination with fellow crew members of Expedition 73.
Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "The mission of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is not just the success of one person, it is an example of inspiration for the young generation of India. This will increase curiosity in our children and youth, and develop scientific thinking. Influenced by this, a large number of youth will make science and innovation their career. The Cabinet firmly believes that this mission will give new energy to the resolve of developed India. The dream of making India a developed nation by 2047, which the Prime Minister has seen, will get new strength."
The Cabinet described the moment as one of “pride, glory and joy” for the nation, and praised the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the broader scientific community for enabling the achievement through sustained efforts and technical excellence.
During the mission, Shukla carried out advanced experiments in space biology and human physiology, including research on muscle regeneration, microbial growth, cognitive performance, crop viability, and the behaviour of cyanobacteria. These findings are expected to contribute significantly to India’s future human spaceflight goals, including the Gaganyaan mission and the proposed Bharatiya Antariksha Station .
Highlighting India's rising stature in global space cooperation, the Cabinet also recalled landmark achievements such as the Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing and the Aditya-L1 solar observatory mission. These, it said, underscored the country's scientific excellence and growing space economy.
The Cabinet credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for steering India's space ambitions, citing his “strategic foresight” and “unwavering belief” in India's potential to lead among spacefaring nations.
The resolution also noted the emergence of nearly 300 start-ups in the space sector, reflecting the success of government reforms that have catalysed innovation, job creation and entrepreneurship.
Reaffirming its commitment to building a Viksit Bharat by 2047, the Cabinet said the success of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission would galvanise scientific spirit across generations and propel India’s space aspirations into a new era.
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