The Indian space program has kick-started its launch plans for 2026 with the launch of PSLV-C62, a crucial move that will involve coupling commercial satellite launchers with a high-end earth observation system.According to the latest reports available, ISRO has confirmed that there had been a technical anomaly on board the third stage of the mission during the launch of the PSLV-C62, resulting in the satellite not being in its intended orbit. This, as reported, has led the space agency to form a failure analysis committee to determine the reasons for the anomaly.

ISRO’s PSLV-C62 launch: What to know about Anvesha spy satellite and mission 2026

Anvesha is India’s new hyperspectral Earth observation spy satellite

Anvesha, officially designated EOS-N1, is a hyperspectral Earth observation satellite designed for strategic and civilian use. It can capture images across multiple light bands, allowing precise analysis of terrain, vegetation, water bodies, and man-made structures. This capability strengthens India’s surveillance, border monitoring, environmental tracking, and disaster response from space.

PSLV-C62 marked India’s first space mission of 2026

The PSLV-C62 launch on 12 January 2026 marked the beginning of India’s spaceflight calendar for the year. Lift-off took place from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The mission drew significant attention as it combined strategic payload deployment with commercial satellite launch services.

The mission was the 64th flight of ISRO’s PSLV rocket

PSLV-C62 represented the 64th flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, reinforcing its status as ISRO’s most reliable and frequently used launch system. Over the years, PSLV has supported landmark missions including Chandrayaan-1, the Mars Orbiter Mission, and Aditya-L1, while also serving global commercial customers.

NewSpace India Limited handled the commercial launch operations

The mission was operated by NewSpace India Limited, the commercial arm of ISRO, and PSLV-C62 marked NSIL’s ninth dedicated commercial mission. It was to be tasked with launching the main EOS-N1 satellite along with several co-passenger satellites, demonstrating India’s increasingly important position as a trusted service provider of launch services globally.

PSLV-C62 carried 15 co-passenger satellites from India and abroad

Alongside Anvesha, the rocket carried 15 co-passenger satellites belonging to domestic and international customers. These included small satellites and technology demonstrators. Such shared launches allow multiple organisations affordable access to space while maximising the launch vehicle’s payload capacity and overall mission efficiency.

The PSLV-DL variant was used for the mission

ISRO has employed its PSLV-DL rocket in this mission, which has two solid strap-on stages. These are added to offer an enhanced thrust level. This particular model is best suited for orbital insertions that entail accurate handling. It is an attribute that has made it suitable for both strategic and commercial applications.

ISRO reported an anomaly during the third stage of flight

ISRO later confirmed that the PSLV-C62 mission experienced a technical anomaly during the third stage of flight. This prevented the satellite from being placed into its intended orbit. The space agency stated that a detailed failure analysis was initiated to identify the cause using onboard flight data.

Asian shares inched higher on Monday as investors weighed political and economic developments in the United States, while the dollar slipped amid concerns over the independence of the US Federal Reserve.HSI jumped 208 points or 0.79% to 26,439. Japan’s Nikkei also climbed 822 points or 1.6% to 51,939. Shenzhen and Shanghai also added 1.2% and 0.78% respectively. In South Korea, Kospi traded in green adding 29 points at 11:11 AM IST. Market sentiment was shaped by confirmation that the US Justice Department had issued a subpoena to the Federal Reserve, a move that raised alarm among investors. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged the action late on Sunday, calling it unprecedented and linking it to pressure from US President Donald Trump for further interest rate cuts, despite the Fed signalling that rates would remain unchanged. Powell said that the central bank received grand jury subpoenas on Friday related to his testimony before the Senate in June, which dealt with a major renovation project of Federal Reserve office buildings. The political tension followed the release of weaker-than-expected US labour data on Friday. The jobs report showed that only 50,000 new jobs were created in December, while the unemployment rate edged down to 4.4 percent. Financial markets reacted swiftly. The dollar slipped around 0.2% against major currencies, according to Bloomberg. Gold prices jumped 1.5% as investors sought safety amid rising uncertainty. Equity markets across Asia moved higher in early trading. Gains were seen in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul and Taipei, mirroring Wall Street’s record close at the end of last week. Stocks also rose in Bangkok, Manila, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. Global markets have largely begun the year on a strong footing. Stock indices in Frankfurt, London, Paris and Seoul touched record highs last week, driven mainly by optimism surrounding technology stocks and advances in defence sector shares. Oil prices dipped slightly on Monday but largely held on to last week’s rally. Ongoing protests in Iran continued to fuel geopolitical concerns, while the US seizure of Venezuela’s crude supplies added to worries about excess supply. President Trump has warned Iran of consequences if demonstrators were harmed, as Tehran cautioned against foreign interference. On Sunday evening, Trump said he was weighing potential military action following reports of a violent crackdown that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people.

Saurabh Mukherjea tells students to focus on AI-resistant skills

India’s white-collar job boom is over. What once grew at 11% a year is now barely 1%, warns Saurabh Mukherjea, founder of Marcellus Investment Managers. He made the stark revelation in his podcast “Coffee and Investing with Saurabh Mukherjea”, in the episode titled “No Jobs & High Debt: The Silent Middle Class Crisis.”For decades, India’s urban middle class has relied on stable office jobs, especially in the IT sector, finance, and BPO services, as a ticket to economic mobility. Today, Mukherjea says, that ticket is being revoked. The combination of tech layoffs, automation, and AI disruption is changing the rules of employment, and students who cling to old career assumptions risk being left behind.“The salaryman era is over,” Mukherjea declares. “If students do not build skills that cannot be automated, they will not just miss opportunities—they may find themselves unemployed in a shrinking job market.”

Tech layoffs and automation are eating jobs

The IT sector, long the engine of white-collar employment, is shedding roles. Large companies like Tata Consultancy Services, HCL Tech, Infosys, and Wipro are reducing headcount while adopting AI, automation, and productivity-enhancing technologies. Entry-level coding, routine customer support, and administrative tasks are increasingly being done by software and intelligent systems rather than humans.The slowdown is not restricted to tech. Finance, legal services, logistics, and media are also experiencing structural shifts as AI-driven workflows replace traditional roles. According to Mukherjea, up to 25% of current tech and customer experience jobs could vanish by 2031.For college students and recent graduates, this serves as a wake, up call. Several job roles that were earlier deemed as ‘safe’ are now vulnerable. Besides this, even top, tier companies cannot be relied on for lifelong jobs, and due to the rapid technological disruption, the time for conventional career planning is almost gone.

Students can’t afford to wait

Mukherjea’s advice is clear: waiting for a salaried job to appear is no longer a strategy—it is a gamble. Students need to adapt, learn new skills, and focus on work that AI cannot do. Skills that involve humans, like creativity, problem-solving, empathy, negotiation, and critical thinking, are now the most valuable because they are harder to automate. Jobs in areas like healthcare, education, design, and other service-based fields offer good opportunities for growth and long-term stability.Technical skills are still important, but they need to be paired with the ability to adapt. Mukherjea points out that learning AI, machine learning, cloud computing, cybersecurity, or data analytics is useful, but only if students also stay flexible, curious, and take initiative.As he bluntly puts it: “The salaryman era is over. Students must focus on building skills that cannot be automated.”

Skills that will keep you relevant

To survive—and thrive—in the new job market, students must develop a balanced combination of technical, soft, and entrepreneurial skills. From a technical perspective, knowledge of artificial intelligence and machine learning, cloud computing and cybersecurity, as well as data analytics, coding, and software development will become increasingly necessary. Similarly, soft skills like creativity, problem, solving, communication, collaboration, emotional intelligence, and leadership that help students adapt and thrive in changing work environments are just as necessary. Entrepreneurial skills are equally important, such as being a freelancer, working on some side projects, pivoting quickly, seeking new opportunities, and creating a personal brand or portfolio. Practical knowledge is most important and thus students can be encouraged to undertake micro, projects, internships, or cross, disciplinary work, because the portfolio and tangible accomplishments will speak volumes about the person’s capabilities rather than the resume only, says Mukherjea.

How to adapt to the new job market

Students who will thrive in the future are those who can adapt quickly as the job market changes. Saurabh Mukherjea advises that students focus on a few important habits to stay ahead. First, they should keep learning continuously through online courses, certifications, and workshops. This helps them gain new knowledge and skills that are in demand and prepares them for changes in the workplace. Second, students should gain practical experience by doing internships, freelance projects, or even small side ventures. Real-world experience teaches problem-solving and gives them skills that cannot be learned from books alone.Building a strong professional network is crucial. Connecting with mentors, peers, and industry professionals helps students get guidance, find opportunities, and understand job market changes. They should also stay updated on AI and automation to know which jobs are disappearing and which are emerging. Using creativity to add value in ways AI cannot, solving problems, and taking initiative will help students stay competitive and stand out in the job market.

Why this matters now

Mukherjea’s warning is quite urgent in a rapidly changing world. There is an exponential growth in AI usage, and automation is extending its reach beyond just routine tasks to areas such as customer service, marketing, legal research, and financial analysis. Many of the “entry level” jobs as they are called that exist today, may not be there in 2030.For the middle class of India, which has been relying on salaried jobs for both stability and a way to move up, it is a hard hit. The truth is that graduates have to change their mindset from seeking security to being prepared for change and development, otherwise they may not catch up in a quickly changing economy.

No safety nets: Adapt or lose out

The white collar job market is rapidly evolving, but students willing to adapt still have opportunities. Those who over time develop skills that AI will never replace, develop people, oriented skills, and adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, without doubt, will be better equipped to succeed than the previous generations.Disruption is inevitable. Survival is optional. Mukherjea’s advice: act now, build skills, and redefine what “career success” means for the 21st century.

Washington is working “along really well” with Venezuela, US President Donald Trump said on Sunday (local time), pointing to oil shipments from the country. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump was talking about US’s approach towards the new leadership in Caracas after Nicolas Maduro was captured by American forces. “Venezuela is really working out well. We’re working along really well with the leadership, and we’ll see how it all works out,” he said.The US President further added that the acting President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, asked US if they could “take 50 million barrels of oil.” “I said, ‘yes, we can’ — that’s $4.2 billion, and it’s on its way right now to the United States,” Trump further added highlighting the scale of the deal.

This comes as the Trump administration is pushingimed at claiming control over Venezuelan oil production and sales. Earlier this week, the president invited oil executives to the White House and pressed them to move quickly into Venezuela, saying the administration was seeking around $100 billion in private investment to revive the country’s oil industry and fully tap its large reserves.Trump said that Washington had seized tankers carrying Venezuelan oil and would now take over the sale of between 30 million and 50 million barrels that had previously been under sanctions, with the US controlling sales globally for an indefinite period.In the meeting with oil industry leaders, Trump told executives, “You have total safety.” “You’re dealing with us directly and not dealing with Venezuela at all. We don’t want you to deal with Venezuela.”He stressed that the expected investments would come from private companies rather than public funds. “Our giant oil companies will be spending at least $100 billion of their money, not the government’s money. They don’t need government money. But they need government protection,” Trump said.According to the president, security assurances would be provided through cooperation with Venezuelan leaders and their people, rather than the deployment of US troops, although he added that companies would “bring over some security.”Trump also acknowledged the risks involved, noting that oil executives were accustomed to operating in challenging environments, even as Venezuela remains vulnerable to economic collapse.The White House meeting came shortly after US forces seized a fifth tanker in the past month linked to Venezuelan oil. The seizure reflected the administration’s determination to take control of Venezuela’s oil exports, refining and production, signalling continued US involvement in the sector as it pushes for firm investment commitments from private companies.

Mani Shankar Aiyar (File photo)

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar stirred another row on Sunday after he said Hindutva is “Hinduism in paranoia,” which drew a strong response from the ruling BJP. During the debate on “Hinduism Needs Protection From Hindutva”, hosted by the Calcutta Debating Circle, Aiyar said Hindutva is a BJP leader “slapping a blind, hungry tribal girl because she attends a Christmas lunch in a Church”.Aiyar also said Hindutva asks “80 per cent of Hindus to quiver in front of 14 per cent of Muslims”.

“Hindutva is Hinduism in paranoia. It asks 80% Hindus to quiver in front of 14% Muslims. Hindutva is a BJP leader slapping a blind, hungry tribal girl because she attends a Christmas lunch in a Church. Hindutva raids shopping malls to tear down Christmas decorations,” said Aiyar during the debate. He also quoted VD Savarkar, saying that the Hindutva ideologue saw Buddhism as an existential threat to all Hindus. “He described it as the ultimate negation of Hindutva, bearing the opiate of universalism and nonviolence. He said it was disastrous to national virility and even the existence of the Hindu race,” said Aiyar, referring to Savarkar.‘Hindutva a political tract’Drawing a distinction between Hinduism and Hindutva, Aiyar said Hinduism is “a great spiritual religion, while Hindutva is a political tract.” He also said that Hinduism faced trials and tribulations yet managed to survive and flourish without any need for Hindutva’s protection.“Hinduism is a great spiritual religion. Hindutva is a political tract. Hindutva came only in 1923; for thousands of years before Hindutva, Hinduism faced trial and tribulation and yet survived, flourished, with no need of Hindutva protection… There is no way Gandhi’s and Swami Vivekananda’s Hinduism can be protected or promoted by Savarkar’s Hindutva,” Aiyar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.‘Cherishing Hinduism is Hindutva’Speaking at the same event, Rajya Sabha member and BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi said that Hindutva represents ‘Hindu tattva,’ which forms the core essence of Hinduism. He further argued that Hinduism is unique among religions in granting its followers the authority to debate, even on its sacred texts.“… Which culture gives you the authority to debate even on religious texts. It is only Hindu… I would like to ask why the term Hinduism? Why is ‘ism’ associated with all the religions which originated in India? Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. You have never heard of Islamism and Christianism… The ‘ism’ world is being associated just to demean, and what Hindutva is, ‘Hindu tattva’. The basic immunity of Hinduism is Hindu tattva... Another thing I would like to say, when you cherish Hinduism, it is called Hindutva,” the Trivedi said.Lashing out at Aiyar’s remark, the BJP’s national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said: “Yet again Congress attempts to create a divide between Hindus.” They want 1 Hindu to Stand up against the other Hindu. This benefits Congress whose only focus is -“Consolidate Vote Bank: Unite Minority, Divide Hindu Majority,” he said.