📅 22 September 2026 Edition

The Hindu Editorial Today 22 September 2026: UPSC & State PSC Notes

Q: How does Gaganyaan's crew module deploy its parachutes during atmospheric reentry?

Gaganyaan uses a multi-stage deceleration system developed by ADRDE (DRDO). It employs 2 drogue parachutes ejected by mortars to stabilise the module and reduce speed, followed by 3 main parachutes deployed by mortar-ejected pilot chutes to achieve a gentle touchdown velocity of ~8.5 m/s.

Q: Why did the Supreme Court strike down Maharashtra's methanol denaturing rules?

The Supreme Court held that mandatory mixing of colourants and bitterants into industrial methanol under the Maharashtra Poisons Rules failed the proportionality test under Articles 14 and 19(1)(g). It lacked a proximate nexus with preventing illicit hooch tragedies while destroying legitimate chemical, resin, and pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.

Q: What is the Malacca-Singapore Cooperative Mechanism and how does it apply to the Strait of Hormuz?

Established in 2007 under UNCLOS Article 43, the Malacca-Singapore model allows littoral states (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore) and user states/industry to cooperatively finance navigational safety and environmental projects without levying tolls or compromising sovereign territorial transit passage. It provides a non-adversarial blueprint for the Strait of Hormuz.

Q: What materials are utilized in Gaganyaan's aerospace parachute canopy and suspension lines?

Gaganyaan's parachutes use Kevlar for high-load suspension lines and risers, Nomex in heat-exposed sections to withstand hot mortar gas discharges, and high-tenacity Nylon for broadcloth canopies due to its high elasticity and shock-absorption capabilities.

Q: What are the four prongs of the Puttaswamy proportionality standard applied by the Supreme Court?

The four prongs are: 1) Legitimate state goal, 2) Rational nexus/suitability between the measure and the goal, 3) Necessity (least restrictive alternative), and 4) Balancing/proportionality stricto sensu between rights infringed and state interest.

Today's The Hindu Editorial Today 22 September 2026 analysis covers 3 high-impact national, judicial, and geopolitical developments: 1) The multi-staged aerospace engineering behind the Gaganyaan Crew Module Parachute Deceleration System developed by DRDO-ADRDE; 2) The Supreme Court's landmark judgment striking down Maharashtra's methanol denaturing rules under the Doctrine of Proportionality and Article 19(1)(g); and 3) The historical Malacca-Singapore Strait cooperative governance model as a viable roadmap for resolving maritime crises in the Strait of Hormuz.

GS Paper III Science & Technology Space Missions & Human Spaceflight

How Will Gaganyaan's Crew Module Deploy Its Parachutes? Gaganyaan Crew Module Parachute Deceleration System ADRDE and Atmospheric Reentry Engineering

Prelims: ISRO HSFC, DRDO ADRDE Agra, Kevlar, Nomex, Drogue & Pilot Chutes Mains: Atmospheric Reentry Physics, Crew Safety Redundancy, Indigenisation State PSC: Indian Space Program Milestones

1 Atmospheric Reentry Dynamics & Multi-Staged Parachute Sequence

Authoritative Insights by Dr. S. Unnikrishnan Nair (Former Director, VSSC & HSFC)

Reentry Deceleration Physics: Any spacecraft re-entering Earth's atmosphere loses the bulk of its kinetic energy through atmospheric drag. However, as the Gaganyaan crew module descends into the lower atmosphere at ~170 m/s, specialized parachute systems must dissipate residual velocity to achieve a gentle touchdown of < 8.5 m/s.
Multi-Staging Architecture: Under the Gaganyaan Crew Module Parachute Deceleration System ADRDE and Atmospheric Reentry Engineering, deploying a full-sized canopy instantly at high dynamic pressure would shred the fabric or induce fatal G-forces on astronauts. Staged deployment progressively increases canopy diameter to keep deceleration loads tolerable.
Three Chute Types: The system incorporates: Pilot chutes (mini-chutes pulling out larger assemblies), Drogue chutes (conical chutes to stabilise aerodynamic attitude and drop speed), and Main chutes (broad canopies for final descent).
Wake Penetration Ejection: The blunt conical crew module generates a turbulent aerodynamic wake in its rear. Mortar-based pyrotechnic ejection imparts sufficient initial velocity to pierce this wake and deploy canopies in undisturbed airflow.

10 Chutes

Total Parachute Cluster

2 Drogue

Mortar Stabilisation Chutes

3 Main

Terminal Deceleration Chutes

2 Advanced Aerospace Materials & Testing Facilities

Aerospace Polymer / Material	Sub-System Application	Engineering Property & Operational Function
Kevlar (Aramid Polymer)	High-load suspension lines, risers, and structural reinforcement tapes.	Exceptional tensile strength-to-weight ratio and minimal elongation under violent shock opening loads in Gaganyaan Crew Module Parachute Deceleration System ADRDE and Atmospheric Reentry Engineering.
Nomex (Flame-Resistant Meta-Aramid)	Heat-shielded skirt regions and mortar discharge zones.	Withstands hot mortar gas discharge, aerothermal plume heating, and frictional thermal spikes.
High-Tenacity Nylon	Canopy broadcloths and gores.	High elastic elongation absorbs initial dynamic opening shock; high compressibility allows ultra-dense vacuum packing in limited stowage volumes.

3 Rigorous Testing Platforms & Built-In Redundancy

Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS)

Conducted at Terminal Ballistic Research Lab (TBRL), Chandigarh, testing mortar ejection and canopy inflation at precise supersonic/transonic dynamic pressures under Gaganyaan Crew Module Parachute Deceleration System ADRDE and Atmospheric Reentry Engineering.

2-out-of-3 Main Chute Redundancy

Developed by ADRDE Agra (DRDO), if any single main parachute suffers an anomaly, the remaining two independent chutes ensure full crew survivability and safe splashdown.

Following ocean touchdown, pyrotechnic reefing line cutters instantly detach parachute risers to prevent surface wind drags or sea capsizing, validating Gaganyaan Crew Module Parachute Deceleration System ADRDE and Atmospheric Reentry Engineering.

✎ Prelims Practice Question

Q1. With reference to ISRO's Gaganyaan mission and human spaceflight recovery systems, consider the following statements:

1. The Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), a premier laboratory of DRDO located in Agra, is the lead developer of the parachute deceleration system.
2. Drogue parachutes are deployed prior to main parachutes to stabilise the crew module and reduce high dynamic pressures during atmospheric descent.
3. In the Gaganyaan crew module, Nomex polymer is primarily utilized for canopy broadcloth due to its high elasticity, while Nylon is used exclusively for hot gas mortar blast shields.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: A — 1 and 2 only

Statement 3 is incorrect because Nylon is used for the canopy broadcloth due to its high elasticity to absorb inflation shocks, whereas Nomex is flame-resistant and used in heat-exposed mortar discharge zones. Statements 1 and 2 are correct.

🏆 UPSC CSE Prelims 2023 (Official Question)

Q. Consider the following statements in respect of Indian space missions:

1. Gaganyaan is India's maiden human spaceflight mission aiming to demonstrate human spaceflight capability to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
2. The Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) under ISRO is responsible for the implementation of the Gaganyaan project.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) Both 1 and 2
D) Neither 1 nor 2

A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) Both 1 and 2
D) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: C — Both 1 and 2

Both statements are correct. Gaganyaan aims to demonstrate indigenous human spaceflight to a 400 km LEO orbit for up to 3 days, orchestrated by ISRO's HSFC in Bengaluru.

UPSC CSE Mains 2022 — GS Paper III (Official Question)

“What is India's plan for its Human Space Flight Mission (Gaganyaan)? Discuss the major scientific, technological and strategic challenges associated with human spaceflight.” (15 Marks | 250 Words)

Mains Model Blueprint (15 Marks | 250 Words)

“Detail the critical engineering complexities of atmospheric reentry for crewed spacecraft and examine the role of multi-tiered redundancy in ensuring crew survivability during recovery operations.”

Key Answer Framework

Introduction: Define atmospheric reentry dynamics and contextualise the Gaganyaan Crew Module Parachute Deceleration System ADRDE and Atmospheric Reentry Engineering.
Aerodynamic & Thermal Challenges: Dissipating hypersonic kinetic energy, managing plasma heat shields, and overcoming the turbulent wake of blunt re-entry capsules.
Multi-Staged Deceleration Architecture: Sequential deployment of mortar-fired drogue chutes for attitude stabilization, followed by pilot and cluster main parachutes.
Material Innovations & Testing: Role of Kevlar, Nomex, and Nylon; ground qualification via Rail Track Rocket Sleds (RTRS) and integrated airdrop tests (IADT).

GS Paper II Judiciary & Constitutional Law Fundamental Rights & Governance

Why Did the SC Reject Methanol Rules? Supreme Court Methanol Denaturing Poison Rules Doctrine of Proportionality and Article 19 1 g

Prelims: Article 14, 19(1)(g), Puttaswamy 2017 Proportionality Test, Poison Rules 1972 Mains: Arbitrary Subordinate Legislation, Ease of Doing Business, Hooch Tragedies State PSC: State Excise & Industrial Regulation

1 Judicial Invalidation of Maharashtra Poisons Rules Amendment

Legal Analysis by Rizmi Lia M. (Supreme Court Judgment of 18 September 2026)

The Impugned Rules: A Supreme Court Bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran struck down Rules 18A and 18B of the Maharashtra Poisons Rules, 1972, which made it mandatory to mix a colourant and bitterant into industrial methanol prior to sale to non-drug manufacturers.
Violations of Articles 14 and 19(1)(g): Under the landmark Supreme Court Methanol Denaturing Poison Rules Doctrine of Proportionality and Article 19 1 g ruling, the Court held that irrational subordinate rules imposing crippling burdens on lawful commerce violate the right to carry on trade and equality before law.
Industrial Destruction: Methanol is a vital raw material for formaldehyde, resins, paints, adhesives, and pharma reagents. Adding bitterants/dyes deactivates industrial chemical catalysts, making methanol unusable for precision manufacturing.
Lack of Proximate Nexus: The State failed to establish that adding colourants would prevent criminal diversion into illicit hooch, as criminal syndicates bypass licit supply chains entirely.

Art 19(1)(g)

Freedom of Trade & Profession

Art 14

Non-Arbitrariness & Fairness

4-Prong

Puttaswamy Proportionality Test

2 Application of the Four-Pronged Proportionality Standard

Proportionality Prong (Puttaswamy 2017)	Constitutional Test Criteria	Supreme Court Finding on Methanol Rules
1. Legitimate State Aim	State action must pursue an objective authorized by law (preventing spurious liquor deaths under Article 47).	Passed: Preventing loss of life from adulterated hooch is a legitimate constitutional purpose.
2. Rational Nexus (Suitability)	Measure must have a causal link to achieving the designated goal.	Failed: No empirical proof that adulterating industrial methanol stops bootleg hooch syndicates under Supreme Court Methanol Denaturing Poison Rules Doctrine of Proportionality and Article 19 1 g.
3. Necessity (Least Restrictive)	The state must adopt the least intrusive measure that impairs fundamental rights.	Failed: Supply-chain digitisation, GPS tracking, and border enforcement exist as non-destructive alternatives.
4. Proportionality Stricto Sensu	Balancing the societal benefit gained against the severity of constitutional right infringement.	Failed: Completely paralyzed legitimate chemical industries while achieving zero deterrent effect on bootleggers.

3 Supreme Court Guidelines for Preventing Hooch Tragedies

Inter-Departmental Enforcement Matrix

Police, Excise, Transport, Industries, and Health departments must integrate real-time digital licensing and monitor bulk transport tankers across state borders.

End-to-End Stock Traceability

Employ digital barcoding and dedicated audit trails for industrial chemical units rather than applying blunt chemical destruction under Supreme Court Methanol Denaturing Poison Rules Doctrine of Proportionality and Article 19 1 g.

This ruling reaffirms that administrative measures to curb social evils must not destroy legitimate industrial ecosystems, enshrining Supreme Court Methanol Denaturing Poison Rules Doctrine of Proportionality and Article 19 1 g.

✎ Prelims Practice Question

Q2. With reference to the constitutional 'Doctrine of Proportionality' and fundamental rights in India, consider the following statements:

1. In the K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) judgment, the Supreme Court formally structured the four-pronged proportionality test for assessing restrictions on fundamental rights.
2. Under Article 19(6) of the Constitution, the State can impose reasonable restrictions on the exercise of the right under Article 19(1)(g) in the interest of the general public.
3. Subordinate legislation (rules or notifications) framed by a state government is immune from judicial review under Article 14 on grounds of manifest arbitrariness.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: A — 1 and 2 only

Statement 3 is incorrect because subordinate legislation is fully subject to judicial review and can be struck down under Article 14 if it suffers from manifest arbitrariness or lacks rational nexus. Statements 1 and 2 are correct.

🏆 UPSC CSE Prelims 2018 (Official Question)

Q. Right to Privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty under which Article of the Constitution of India?

A) Article 14
B) Article 19
C) Article 21
D) Article 29

A) Article 14
B) Article 19
C) Article 21
D) Article 29

Correct Answer: C — Article 21

In K.S. Puttaswamy (2017), a 9-judge bench ruled that privacy is protected as an intrinsic element of Article 21 and the freedoms guaranteed by Part III.

UPSC CSE Mains 2021 — GS Paper II (Official Question)

“Explain the constitutional dimensions of the 'Doctrine of Proportionality' in the context of judicial review of state actions. How has it evolved through recent landmark judgments?” (15 Marks | 250 Words)

Mains Model Blueprint (15 Marks | 250 Words)

“Critically analyse the Supreme Court's application of the proportionality standard in invalidating arbitrary executive regulations that disproportionately burden economic freedoms under Article 19(1)(g).”

Key Answer Framework

Introduction: Cite the recent judgment invalidating Maharashtra's methanol rules and define the Supreme Court Methanol Denaturing Poison Rules Doctrine of Proportionality and Article 19 1 g.
Constitutional Framework: Interplay between Article 14 (non-arbitrariness), Article 19(1)(g) (freedom of trade), and Article 47 (public health directive).
Four-Prong Analysis: Why a legitimate state aim fails if the restriction lacks a proximate nexus and causes disproportionate collateral damage to industrial supply chains.
Way Forward: Smart technological regulation (e.g., GPS tanker tracking, RFID batching) instead of blunt chemical mandates that destroy ease of doing business.

GS Paper II International Relations Maritime Security & UNCLOS

A Malacca-Singapore Model for Resolving Hormuz: Straits of Malacca Singapore Cooperative Mechanism Model and Strait of Hormuz UNCLOS Transit Passage

Prelims: UNCLOS 1982, Transit Passage vs Innocent Passage, Chokepoint Geography Mains: Maritime Geopolitics, Energy Chokepoint Security, Persian Gulf Stability State PSC: Global Trade Routes & Treaties

1 Chokepoint Geography & Historical Evolution in Malacca

Geopolitical Analysis by Strategic Affairs Expert M. Kalyanaraman

The Malacca Turning Point (1971): The Strait of Malacca (800 km) and Strait of Singapore (105 km) connect the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea. At their narrowest, they are well under 24 nautical miles wide. When Indonesia and Malaysia claimed 12-nm territorial waters, their zones met in the middle, eliminating international high seas.
UNCLOS “Transit Passage” Regime: To preserve global navigation, UNCLOS 1982 codified “transit passage” for straits used for international navigation. Unlike innocent passage, transit passage applies to all vessels (including submerged submarines and overflying aircraft) in a continuous and expeditious manner.
The 2007 Cooperative Mechanism: Under the Straits of Malacca Singapore Cooperative Mechanism Model and Strait of Hormuz UNCLOS Transit Passage, the three littoral states (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore) established a joint tripartite mechanism with user states and industry to fund navigational safety without imposing tolls.

21 M bpd

Oil Flow via Hormuz Chokepoint

UNCLOS Art 43

Navigational Cooperation Basis

1982

Transit Passage Codified

2 Comparing Malacca and Hormuz: Structural Parallels

Strategic Dimension	Straits of Malacca & Singapore	Strait of Hormuz (Persian Gulf)
Geographic Overlap	Littoral states (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore) whose 12-nm territorial waters intersect across narrow channels.	Territorial waters of Iran and Oman intersect, leaving no high seas corridor.
UNCLOS Legal Status	All three littoral states signed/ratified UNCLOS and accepted transit passage with environmental safeguards.	Oman ratified UNCLOS with declarations; Iran signed but never ratified, passing a 1993 domestic law requiring prior authorization for warships.
Cooperative Governance	Cooperative Mechanism (2007) with voluntary user-state fund for hydrography, aids to navigation, and joint sea patrols.	Heavily militarized siege warfare, mine threats, tanker seizures, and hostile naval presence under Straits of Malacca Singapore Cooperative Mechanism Model and Strait of Hormuz UNCLOS Transit Passage.

3 Adapting the Cooperative Mechanism to Hormuz

1. Tripartite/Regional Coordination

Form an institutional council comprising Iran, Oman, and GCC states to govern strait navigation.

2. User-State Financing Fund

Establish a voluntary multilateral fund for hydrography and environmental cleanup without levying sovereign passage tolls.

3. De-Escalating Warship Regimes

Shift from aggressive foreign naval escorts to joint regional monitoring, respecting Straits of Malacca Singapore Cooperative Mechanism Model and Strait of Hormuz UNCLOS Transit Passage.

4. Depoliticising Sea Lanes

Insulate global oil corridors from regional geopolitical brinkmanship and economic sanctions.

For energy-dependent economies like India, peaceful maritime coexistence relies on applying the Straits of Malacca Singapore Cooperative Mechanism Model and Strait of Hormuz UNCLOS Transit Passage.

✎ Prelims Practice Question

Q3. With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and international straits, consider the following statements:

1. Under UNCLOS, the regime of 'Transit Passage' applies to straits used for international navigation connecting one part of the high seas or EEZ to another part of the high seas or EEZ.
2. Unlike 'Innocent Passage', submarines exercising transit passage are legally permitted to navigate submerged without displaying their flag.
3. Coastal states bordering a strait have the sovereign authority under UNCLOS to suspend transit passage during times of armed conflict.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: A — 1 and 2 only

Statement 3 is incorrect because UNCLOS Article 44 explicitly states that there shall be no suspension of transit passage through international straits. Statements 1 and 2 are correct.

🏆 UPSC CSE Prelims 2017 (Official Question)

Q. Which of the following straits connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea?

A) Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb
B) Strait of Hormuz
C) Strait of Malacca
D) Strait of Bosporus

A) Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb
B) Strait of Hormuz
C) Strait of Malacca
D) Strait of Bosporus

Correct Answer: B — Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is the strategic waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, flanked by Iran to the north and Oman/UAE to the south.

UPSC CSE Mains 2020 — GS Paper II (Official Question)

“The security of critical maritime chokepoints is vital for India's energy security and economic prosperity. Discuss in the context of recent geopolitical tensions in West Asia.” (15 Marks | 250 Words)

Mains Model Blueprint (15 Marks | 250 Words)

“Examine how the cooperative governance architecture of the Malacca-Singapore Straits can serve as an institutional template for de-escalating maritime conflict and securing transit rights in the Strait of Hormuz.”

Key Answer Framework

Introduction: Contrast the weaponization of the Strait of Hormuz with the cooperative framework under Straits of Malacca Singapore Cooperative Mechanism Model and Strait of Hormuz UNCLOS Transit Passage.
Legal & Strategic Divergences: UNCLOS transit passage norms vs Iran's 1993 national restrictions on warships; overlapping territorial seas without high seas buffer.
The 2007 Malacca Framework: Littoral state leadership, user-state/industry funding contributions without tolls, and joint hydrographic/safety cooperation.
Implications for India: Safeguarding India's 85% crude import dependence, regional peace, and promoting multilateral rule-based maritime order in the Indian Ocean and Gulf.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (22 September 2026 FAQs)

1. How does Gaganyaan's crew module deploy its parachutes during atmospheric reentry?

Gaganyaan uses a multi-stage deceleration system developed by ADRDE (DRDO). It employs 2 drogue parachutes ejected by mortars to stabilise the module and reduce speed, followed by 3 main parachutes deployed by mortar-ejected pilot chutes to achieve a gentle touchdown velocity of ~8.5 m/s.

2. Why did the Supreme Court strike down Maharashtra's methanol denaturing rules?

The Supreme Court held that mandatory mixing of colourants and bitterants into industrial methanol under the Maharashtra Poisons Rules failed the proportionality test under Articles 14 and 19(1)(g). It lacked a proximate nexus with preventing illicit hooch tragedies while destroying legitimate chemical, resin, and pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.

3. What is the Malacca-Singapore Cooperative Mechanism and how does it apply to the Strait of Hormuz?

Established in 2007 under UNCLOS Article 43, the Malacca-Singapore model allows littoral states (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore) and user states/industry to cooperatively finance navigational safety and environmental projects without levying tolls or compromising sovereign territorial transit passage. It provides a non-adversarial blueprint for the Strait of Hormuz.

4. What materials are utilized in Gaganyaan's aerospace parachute canopy and suspension lines?

Gaganyaan's parachutes use Kevlar for high-load suspension lines and risers, Nomex in heat-exposed sections to withstand hot mortar gas discharges, and high-tenacity Nylon for broadcloth canopies due to its high elasticity and shock-absorption capabilities.

5. What are the four prongs of the Puttaswamy proportionality standard applied by the Supreme Court?

The four prongs are: 1) Legitimate state goal, 2) Rational nexus/suitability between the measure and the goal, 3) Necessity (least restrictive alternative), and 4) Balancing/proportionality stricto sensu between rights infringed and state interest.

Authoritative Insights by Dr. S. Unnikrishnan Nair (Former Director, VSSC & HSFC)

Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS)

2-out-of-3 Main Chute Redundancy

Correct Answer: A — 1 and 2 only

Correct Answer: C — Both 1 and 2

UPSC CSE Mains 2022 — GS Paper III (Official Question)

Mains Model Blueprint (15 Marks | 250 Words)

Key Answer Framework

Legal Analysis by Rizmi Lia M. (Supreme Court Judgment of 18 September 2026)

Inter-Departmental Enforcement Matrix

End-to-End Stock Traceability

Correct Answer: A — 1 and 2 only

Correct Answer: C — Article 21

UPSC CSE Mains 2021 — GS Paper II (Official Question)

Mains Model Blueprint (15 Marks | 250 Words)

Key Answer Framework

Geopolitical Analysis by Strategic Affairs Expert M. Kalyanaraman

1. Tripartite/Regional Coordination

2. User-State Financing Fund

3. De-Escalating Warship Regimes

4. Depoliticising Sea Lanes

Correct Answer: A — 1 and 2 only

Correct Answer: B — Strait of Hormuz

UPSC CSE Mains 2020 — GS Paper II (Official Question)

Mains Model Blueprint (15 Marks | 250 Words)

Key Answer Framework

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (22 September 2026 FAQs)

Quiz HUB

📚 Hindu Editorial Analysis Today

📚 Current Affairs

📚 Job Notifications

🎥 UPSC & TNPSC Video - Pdf Resources

🔗 Join Our Learning Community

Quick Resourse

Key Courses

Follow Us