Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's ISS Mission Applauded by Indian Cabinet

The Indian Cabinet today passed a resolution applauding the successful return of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from the International Space Station (ISS). 

The mission, which concluded on July 15, marks the first time an Indian astronaut has flown to the ISS — an 18-day journey seen as a milestone for India’s space aspirations.

Image Source: JonnyKimUSA

Group Captain Shukla launched on June 25 as part of the Axiom-4 crew and Expedition 73, representing India in an international collaboration that pushed scientific boundaries and bolstered India’s reputation in space research.

During his mission, Shukla conducted key experiments in microgravity — ranging from muscle regeneration and microbial behavior to crop viability and cyanobacteria survivability — laying crucial groundwork for future Indian spaceflight and planetary science.

The Cabinet credited the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and India’s wider scientific community for enabling the mission, and acknowledged the role of international cooperation in its success.

The resolution also hailed the mission as a leap toward India’s human spaceflight goals, including the upcoming Gaganyaan programme and the future Bharatiya Antariksha Station. 

It further emphasized the growing impact of reforms in the space sector — citing the rise of over 300 new space-tech start-ups, job creation, and private-sector innovation.

The Cabinet attributed the mission’s success to the "visionary leadership" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and recalled earlier achievements like Chandrayaan-3’s South Pole lunar landing and the Aditya-L1 solar mission.

Group Captain Shukla’s return is more than just a safe touchdown — it is a symbolic lift-off for a new generation of Indian dreamers, scientists, and innovators.