Kandula Jessie’s Journey From School Lab to Space Mission Kandula Jessie, a Class 10 student from an Andhra Pradesh government school, has been selected among 20 Indian participants for Mission ShakthiSAT. Her journey from a school tinkering lab to an international lunar CubeSat programme highlights the importance of STEM education, teacher support, and consistent effort. A Government School Dream Reaches for the Moon Dowleswaram, Andhra Pradesh, July 23, 2026: Fourteen-year-old Kandula Jessie has secured a place among 20 Indian participants selected for Mission ShakthiSAT, an international all-girls lunar CubeSat initiative. Jessie studies at Zilla Parishad Girls High School in Dowleswaram and is reportedly the only student from Andhra Pradesh included in the final Indian group. She was selected through a programme involving nearly 12,000 girls from 108 countries. How Kandula Jessie Earned Her Place Jessie’s journey began at her school’s Atal Tinkering Lab. Her physical science teacher and laboratory in-charge, Manimala, recognised her interest in science and encouraged her to enrol in the programme. The Mission ShakthiSAT curriculum covers subjects far beyond the regular Class 10 syllabus. Its modules include satellite systems, propulsion, thermodynamics, payload development, and other areas of space technology. Jessie continued attending online classes after school, even when she found the advanced concepts difficult. The programme reportedly included around 550 online sessions across 21 learning modules. Her determination to understand unfamiliar subjects helped her progress through the demanding selection process. Selection Tested Knowledge and Communication Skills The selection process involved online coursework, an interview lasting around one hour, and a short video presentation. Jessie was asked to explain Mission ShakthiSAT and discuss the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. The interview was conducted entirely in English with international scientists and programme coordinators. Jessie spent weeks improving her communication skills with the support of her teachers and educational videos. Her selection reflected more than academic knowledge. It also demonstrated her willingness to improve, communicate confidently and continue learning despite the challenges. Family Supported Her Through Financial Difficulties Jessie’s father works as a carpenter. Her parents had earlier moved her from a private school to a government school because of financial difficulties. Her mother, Aruna, described watching Jessie confidently interact with international scientists as one of the family’s proudest moments. The achievement has also brought recognition to her school and the teachers who encouraged her scientific interests. Jessie’s success shows how timely guidance and access to practical learning opportunities can help students from modest backgrounds compete internationally. ShakthiSAT Training to Begin in New Delhi The next stage of Jessie’s programme is scheduled to begin in New Delhi on August 23, 2026. She is expected to work with scientists and other participants on satellite design, payload development, and mission operations. The student-built lunar CubeSat is proposed for launch from Sriharikota on October 11, 2026. The launch schedule may remain subject to technical and operational confirmation. Mission ShakthiSAT aims to give girls from different countries practical exposure to satellite development, space science and STEM education. The programme brings together students from 108 countries for scientific learning and collaborative space projects. Jessie Hopes to Join ISRO Jessie now hopes to build a career in space science and eventually join the Indian Space Research Organisation. Her selection has strengthened her belief that determination and regular effort can help her achieve that goal. She also hopes to support her parents and make her teachers and school proud. Her journey from a government-school laboratory to an international space programme underlines the value of Atal Tinkering Labs, supportive teachers, and accessible STEM opportunities. For students from financially constrained families, Jessie’s achievement offers a powerful message: scientific talent can emerge from any classroom when curiosity receives the right guidance.

India’s Key Medal Prospects at Glasgow 2026 India enters the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 with more than 120 athletes and medal hopes led by Neeraj Chopra, Mirabai Chanu, and Lovlina Borgohain. The reduced 10-sport programme makes athletics, boxing, and weightlifting central to the campaign. India Begins Glasgow 2026 Campaign With Medal Hopes Across 10 Sports New Delhi, Jul

NEET Row Intensifies as Annamalai and Anna Hazare Seek Accountability K Annamalai and Anna Hazare have separately questioned the handling of the NEET controversy as student protests continue in Delhi. Their interventions place renewed focus on alleged paper leaks, delayed talks, ministerial responsibility, and trust in the examination system. NEET Protests Bring New Pressure for Dialogue and Responsibility New Delhi,

Alphabet reported a strong June-quarter performance as rapid Google Cloud revenue growth and resilient advertising demand lifted total sales above market expectations. The company generated $119.8 billion in quarterly revenue, compared with Wall Street estimates of around $116.9 billion. Google advertising revenue reached $81.6 billion, while adjusted earnings stood at $2.85 per share, slightly below the expected $2.89. Google Cloud Revenue Leads Alphabet’s Growth

The Adani Group is reportedly seeking changes to India’s airport ownership regulations that could allow it to enter the scheduled airline business. The existing clause prevents operators of Delhi and Mumbai airports from holding more than a 10% stake in a scheduled carrier. The proposal has reportedly been submitted to the central government, but no airline has been officially announced. There is also no confirmed launch date, fleet plan

ITR Filing Challenges 2026: AIS, Property, and Foreign Asset Errors Taxpayers filing income tax returns in 2026 face challenges involving property sale calculations, AIS mismatches, incorrect return forms, foreign asset disclosures and portal glitches. The Income Tax Department has also explained why overseas accounts and investments may now appear in AIS. Why Accurate Reporting Matters More This Filing Season New Del

Meta AI Adds Parent Alerts for Teen Crisis Conversations New Delhi, July 22, 2026: Meta has introduced a new safety system that can notify supervising parents when a teenager’s conversation with Meta AI shows possible signs of suicide or self-harm. Human Review Required Before Parents Receive Notifications The feature works through Instagram’s parental supervision system and covers Meta AI conversations c

India’s Himalayan Surveillance Network Expands Near the China Border India is strengthening high-altitude surveillance from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh through mountain radars, airborne warning platforms, satellite imagery, and integrated command networks. The effort aims to close terrain-driven detection gaps along the Line of Actual Control.   Why India Is Strengthening Detection Along the LAC India’s Himalayan

Hyderabad Engineer Uday Ruddarraju Takes OpenAI Compute Role OpenAI has promoted infrastructure executive Uday Ruddarraju to CTO, Compute, about a year after he joined from xAI. The CBIT and University of Minnesota alumnus will help lead the expansion of compute, networking, storage, and data-centre systems.   Uday Ruddarraju Appointed OpenAI CTO of Compute New Delhi, July 22, 2026: OpenAI has promoted Indian-

Naidu to Invite PM Modi for Bhogapuram Airport Launch Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is visiting New Delhi to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram on August 1. He is also expected to meet several senior Union ministers to discuss matters concerning the state. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is visiting New Delhi on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, to meet

Mumbai Man Sends Food to CJP Protesters During Delhi Rain A prepaid food order sent by Mumbai resident Anuj Rawat reached CJP protesters at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar during heavy rain. The gesture highlighted how supporters outside the capital were remotely helping demonstrators with meals, tea, and snacks. Rain-Soaked Delivery Earns Praise at Jantar Mantar New Delhi, July 21, 2026: A Mumbai man sent food to CJ

Andhra Pradesh, Telangana Brace for Week of Rain Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Telangana are expected to experience continued monsoon rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds. IMD has issued district-level warnings, with isolated heavy rain forecast in several areas.   Andhra Pradesh, Telangana Brace for Week of Rain The Andhra Pr

Mammootty-Dhanush National Award Celebration Lights Up OM Shoot  Mammootty, Dhanush, Rajkumar Periasamy, and editor R Kalaivanan celebrated their respective National Film Award victories with a cake-cutting ceremony during the shooting of their upcoming Tamil film, OM Chapter 1. Mammootty-Dhanush National Award Celebration Lights Up OM Shoot

Article 370 Leads 72nd National Film Awards 2026 Winners The 72nd National Film Awards 2026 full winners list was announced in New Delhi on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The awards recognised feature films, non-feature productions, and cinema writing certified during the 2024 calendar year. Article 370 secured the prestigious Best Feature Film award, while Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan shared the Best Actor in a Leading Role honour. Yami Gautam received Best Ac

Four Indian Sailors Killed in Cargo Ship Attack Near Odesa Four Indian nationals died, and another was critically injured after the MV Golden Leo was attacked while leaving Ukraine’s Odesa port on July 19. India condemned the strike and said its mission is to assist those affected.   MV Golden Leo Attack Kills Four Indians Near Ukraine’s Odesa The MV Golden Leo attack near Ukraine’s Odesa port killed four Indian national