Current Affairs - Places

ISRO successfully conducted the eighth hot test of the Semi-Cryogenic Engine Power Head Test Article (PHTA) on June 24, 2026, at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. During the test, the engine achieved an 88% thrust level of 175 tonnes, exceeding the performance of earlier tests. The engine uses Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Isrosene as cleaner and more efficient propellants. The test is an important milestone in the development of the indigenous SE2000 semi-cryogenic engine, which is intended to replace the L110 core stage of the LVM3 launch vehicle, thereby enhancing payload capacity and mission efficiency.

The world's first hydrogen production facility based on the Copper–Chlorine (Cu–Cl) thermochemical cycle was inaugurated by the Department of Atomic Energy on June 26, 2026, at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. The facility utilises heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) to produce carbon-free hydrogen with improved thermodynamic efficiency at lower operating temperatures. The technology was indigenously developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, and supports India's three-stage nuclear programme by extending the use of nuclear energy beyond electricity generation into clean hydrogen production.

The President of India sanctioned the use of 83.814 acres of defence land in Hyderabad for the Gandhi Sarovar Project as part of the larger Musi Riverfront Development Project. Developed by the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL), the initiative aims to restore and rejuvenate the Musi River while creating a major cultural and ecological landmark. The project includes the construction of a Statue of Peace, a Gandhi Museum, a National Museum, an Education Hub, a Handloom Training Centre, a Relics and Research Centre, and a riverfront viewing platform. It also commemorates the historic Gandhi Sarovar site, where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed in 1948.

Bengaluru hosted the BRICS Heads of Space Agencies (HOSA) Meeting 2026, bringing together senior representatives from all eleven BRICS member nations to strengthen cooperation in space exploration and technology. Hosted by ISRO and the Department of Space, the meeting focused on key issues such as space sustainability, satellite coordination, Earth observation, and the proposed BRICS Space Council. Discussions also covered the expansion of the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation to improve disaster management, agriculture monitoring, climate studies, and environmental protection. The event highlighted India's growing leadership in global space diplomacy and its commitment to innovation, collaboration, and sustainable space activities.

Bharat Buildcon 2026 was inaugurated at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi by Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar. Organised under the theme “One Nation, One Expo,” the four-day exhibition served as a major platform for showcasing innovations and advancements in the construction sector. The event witnessed participation from more than 90 countries and over 100 Indian cities, attracting over 25,000 visitors on its opening day. With exhibits spanning 24 industry segments such as cement, steel, ceramics, and electrical products, the expo highlighted infrastructure development, international trade opportunities, and the role of Free Trade Agreements in promoting economic growth.