Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on January 13, 2026
Troubling repeat: On ISRO’s failed PSLV-C62 mission
ISRO must begin rebuilding quality assurance protocols
ISROPSLV-C62Space MissionQuality AssuranceIndia
Sentences
Sentence 1 of 16
English Original
On January 12,as the PSLV-C62 mission rose from Sriharikota into the morning sky and its third stage kicked on,the live telecastabruptlystopped showingthe rocket’s performance and trajectory.
as the PSLV-C62 mission rose from Sriharikota into the morning sky and its third stagekicked on
While the rocket was flying up from the launch site and its third engine started working
SubjectWho/What
the live telecast
The real-time video broadcast of the rocket launch
AdjunctAdditional info
abruptly
Suddenly and without warning
VerbWhat is happening
stopped showing
Ceased to display or broadcast
ObjectWhat receives action
the rocket’s performance and trajectory
Information about how the rocket was working and the path it was following
Context and Background
Satish Dhawan Space Centre (Sriharikota)
Sriharikota is a barrier island off the coast of Andhra Pradesh. It houses the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, which is India’s only spaceport used for launching satellites. It was chosen for its location near the equator and the vast sea to the east for safety during launches.
Sentence 2 of 16
English Original
As it became evident that its third stage had suffered an anomaly, putting paid to the C62 mission in a manner similar to the PSLV-C61 mission in May 2025,the change in the telecastbecamemore familiar.
As it became evident that its third stage had suffered an anomaly, putting paid to the C62 mission in a manner similar to the PSLV-C61 mission in May 2025
When it was clear that the third part of the rocket had a technical problem, which ended the mission just like the failure in May 2025
SubjectWho/What
the change in the telecast
The way the live TV broadcast suddenly switched or stopped showing data
VerbWhat is happening
became
Started to be or turned into
ComplementCompletes meaning
more familiar
Something that people recognized because it had happened before
Context and Background
The PSLV-C61 Failure (May 2025)
The PSLV-C61 mission, launched in May 2025, failed when its third stage lost chamber pressure. This caused the rocket to lose thrust and fail to reach its intended orbit. The similarity between that failure and the current C62 mission suggests a recurring technical issue in the rocket’s third stage.
Sentence 3 of 16
English Original
For decades,the PSLVhas beenthe ‘workhorse’ of India’s space ambitions.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, which is India’s most famous rocket
VerbWhat is happening
has been
Has served as or has been known as
ComplementCompletes meaning
the ‘workhorse’ of India’s space ambitions
The most reliable and frequently used rocket for India’s goals in space
Context and Background
The PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle)
The PSLV is an expendable medium-lift launch vehicle designed and operated by ISRO. Since its first successful launch in 1994, it has launched hundreds of Indian and foreign satellites. It is called a ‘workhorse’ because of its high success rate and its role in landmark missions like Chandrayaan-1 and Mangalyaan.
Sentence 4 of 16
English Original
Together with the rocket’s technology being mature,the implicationisthat the mistakes that sank two PSLV launches could be on the quality assurance side.
Together with the rocket’s technology being mature
Along with the fact that this rocket technology is already well-developed and tested
SubjectWho/What
the implication
The logical conclusion or the hidden meaning of the situation
VerbWhat is happening
is
Means or points to the fact
ComplementCompletes meaning
that the mistakes that sank two PSLV launches could be on the quality assurance side
That the errors which caused two rockets to fail might be due to poor checking of parts and processes
Context and Background
Quality Assurance (QA) in Space Missions
Quality Assurance involves rigorous testing and inspection of every component of a rocket before launch. Since PSLV technology is ‘mature’ (well-understood), failures are less likely to be due to bad design and more likely due to errors in manufacturing, assembly, or testing—which are all part of Quality Assurance.
Sentence 5 of 16
English Original
At least,theseare not likely to beisolated anomalies.
One-time problems that are not connected to a bigger issue
Sentence 6 of 16
English Original
The C61 mission failed after its third stage lost chamber pressure,but rather than publicly reveal the diagnosed root cause,the decisionwasto leave the Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) report with the Prime Minister’s Office.
The C61 mission failed after its third stage lost chamber pressure
The previous mission (C61) was unsuccessful because the pressure in its third engine dropped
AdjunctAdditional info
but rather than publicly reveal the diagnosedroot cause
But instead of telling everyone the main reason they found for the failure
SubjectWho/What
the decision
The choice made by the leaders of the space agency or government
VerbWhat is happening
was
Turned out to be or consisted of
ComplementCompletes meaning
to leave the Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) report with the Prime Minister’s Office
To give the investigation report only to the Prime Minister’s Office instead of sharing it with the public
Context and Background
ISRO
ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) operates under the Department of Space (DoS), which reports directly to the Prime Minister of India. When a mission fails, an FAC is formed to investigate. Usually, summaries are shared with the public, but in the case of C61, the full report was kept confidential with the PMO.
Sentence 7 of 16
English Original
ISROprovidedassurances of “structural reinforcements”and clearedthe PSLVfor its next flight.
The symptom of the C62 failure, a “roll rate disturbance”
The sign that the C62 mission was failing, which was an unstable spinning of the rocket
VerbWhat is happening
parallels
Is very similar to or matches
ObjectWhat receives action
the events preceding the C61 failure
The things that happened just before the previous mission (C61) failed
Context and Background
Roll Rate Disturbance in Rockets
A rocket has three types of motion: pitch (up/down), yaw (left/right), and roll (spinning around its long axis). A ‘roll rate disturbance’ means the rocket started spinning uncontrollably or at the wrong speed. This usually indicates a problem with the engine’s thrust or the control system, which can lead to the rocket deviating from its path.
Sentence 9 of 16
English Original
The financial consequencesarepoor:under the aegis of NewSpace India Limited,ISROhas been positioningthe PSLVas a commercial productin a competitive global launch market.
Under the leadership and support of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)
SubjectWho/What
ISRO
The Indian Space Research Organisation
VerbWhat is happening
has been positioning
Has been trying to present or sell
ObjectWhat receives action
the PSLV
The rocket (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle)
ComplementCompletes meaning
as a commercial product
As something that other countries and companies can pay to use
AdjunctAdditional info
in a competitive global launch market
In a world market where many different companies are trying to sell rocket launches
Context and Background
NSIL and the Global Launch Market
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) was established in 2019 to commercially exploit the research and development work of ISRO. Its main goal is to sell PSLV launches to international customers. However, they face heavy competition from private companies like Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which offers low-cost and reusable rockets.
Sentence 10 of 16
English Original
Now,international insurers operating in this marketwill reassessthe PSLV’s risk profileand the insurance premiumscould skyrocket,rendering the vehicle less affordable—a strategic embarrassment for a country aspiring to be a net provider in space.
Global companies that provide insurance for satellite launches
VerbWhat is happening
will reassess
Will evaluate again to see if the situation has changed
ObjectWhat receives action
the PSLV’s risk profile
The calculated level of danger or chance of failure for the PSLV rocket
SubjectWho/What
and the insurance premiums
And the amount of money customers must pay for insurance
VerbWhat is happening
could skyrocket
Might increase very quickly to a very high level
AdjunctAdditional info
rendering the vehicle less affordable
Making the rocket too expensive for many customers to use
ComplementCompletes meaning
a strategic embarrassment for a country aspiring to be a net provider in space
A shameful situation for India, which wants to be a major supplier of space services to the world
Context and Background
The Importance of Space Insurance
Satellites cost hundreds of crores to build and launch. To protect this investment, owners buy insurance. If a rocket has a high failure rate, insurance companies charge much higher ‘premiums’ (fees). If PSLV becomes too expensive to insure, international customers will switch to other rockets like SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
Sentence 11 of 16
English Original
The tenure of ISRO Chairman V. Narayananhas been characterisedby a continued shift away from ISRO’s traditional culture of scientific openness toward a more guarded, bureaucratic posture.
The time period during which V. Narayanan has been the head of ISRO
VerbWhat is happening
has been characterised
Has been defined or marked by certain qualities
AdjunctAdditional info
by a continued shift away from ISRO’s traditional culture of scientific openness toward a more guarded, bureaucraticposture
By a steady move away from being open about science and instead becoming more secretive and rule-bound
Context and Background
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan
Dr. V. Narayanan took over as ISRO Chairman in early 2024. While he has overseen successful missions like the LVM-3 M6, his leadership has been criticized in this editorial for being less transparent about mission failures compared to previous chairmen who were more open with the media and public.
Sentence 12 of 16
English Original
While the pressure to maintain a high launch cadence is understandable,his decision to move the C62 mission to the pad while the autopsy of its predecessor remains classifiedshould raisetough questions about the organisation’s priorities.
While the pressure to maintain a high launch cadence is understandable
Although we can understand why ISRO is being pushed to launch rockets very frequently
SubjectWho/What
his decision to move the C62 mission to the pad while the autopsy of its predecessor remains classified
His choice to go ahead with the C62 launch even though the investigation into the last failure is still a secret
VerbWhat is happening
should raise
Ought to cause or lead to
ObjectWhat receives action
tough questions about the organisation’s priorities
Difficult questions about what ISRO thinks is most important
Context and Background
Launch Cadence and Competition
Launch cadence refers to how often a space agency launches rockets. ISRO is under pressure to increase its cadence to compete with SpaceX, which launches almost every week. However, the editorial argues that safety and quality should not be sacrificed for the sake of speed.
Sentence 13 of 16
English Original
That the C62 mission also carried the EOS-N1 satellite, built by the DRDO and with unspecified strategic applications,could help explaina ‘rush’if there was one.
That the C62 mission also carried the EOS-N1 satellite, built by the DRDO and with unspecifiedstrategic applications
The fact that the rocket was carrying a secret military satellite made by the DRDO
VerbWhat is happening
could help explain
Might be the reason for
ObjectWhat receives action
a ‘rush’
A hurry to complete the launch quickly
AdjunctAdditional info
if there was one
If they were actually in a hurry
Context and Background
DRDO and Strategic Satellites
The DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) develops technology for India’s military. The EOS-N1 (also known as Anvesha) is a surveillance satellite designed to monitor borders. Because these satellites are critical for national security, there is often pressure on ISRO to launch them as soon as possible, which might lead to a ‘rush’.
Sentence 14 of 16
English Original
Fortunately for Mr. Narayanan,ISROhas also demonstratedthe increasing reliability of its LVM-3 rocketin his time,most recently with the M6 mission in December 2025.
That its heavy rocket (LVM-3) is becoming more and more trustworthy
AdjunctAdditional info
in his time
During his period as the leader of ISRO
AdjunctAdditional info
most recently with the M6 mission in December 2025
Most lately with the successful M6 launch that happened last month
Context and Background
LVM-3: India
The LVM-3 (formerly GSLV Mk III) is India’s most powerful rocket. It is used to launch heavy communication satellites and is the chosen vehicle for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. Its recent success in the M6 mission (December 2025) provides some balance to the failures of the smaller PSLV rocket.
Sentence 15 of 16
English Original
But right now,ISRO’s and his best path to restoring confidence, and begin the painful work of rebuilding quality assurance protocols,isfor the Department of Space to release the FAC report for the C61 mission.
ISRO’s and his best path to restoring confidence, and begin the painful work of rebuilding quality assurance protocols
The best way for ISRO and its Chairman to make people trust them again and start fixing their quality check rules
VerbWhat is happening
is
Consists of or requires
ComplementCompletes meaning
for the Department of Space to release the FAC report for the C61 mission
Having the government department in charge of space make the investigation report for the 2025 failure public
Context and Background
The Department of Space (DoS)
The Department of Space (DoS) is directly under the Prime Minister’s Office. While ISRO executes the missions, the DoS handles the policy and administrative side. The editorial suggests that the DoS has the power to make the failure reports public to ensure transparency and accountability.
Sentence 16 of 16
English Original
The tax-paying public and commercial stakeholdersdeserve to knowwhat went wrong in 2025, whether it recurred in 2026, and why the third stage was affected again.
The citizens who pay taxes to fund ISRO and the businesses that use its services
VerbWhat is happening
deserve to know
Have the right to be told the truth about
ObjectWhat receives action
what went wrong in 2025, whether it recurred in 2026, and why the third stage was affected again
The details of the 2025 failure, if the same thing happened in 2026, and why the third engine failed twice
Sentence 1 of 16
Sentence 1 of 16
On January 12,as the PSLV-C62 mission rose from Sriharikota into the morning sky and its third stage kicked on,the live telecastabruptlystopped showingthe rocket’s performance and trajectory.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
On January 12
The specific day when the launch happened
Adjunct
as the PSLV-C62 mission rose from Sriharikota into the morning sky and its third stage kicked on
While the rocket was flying up from the launch site and its third engine started working
Subject
the live telecast
The real-time video broadcast of the rocket launch
Adjunct
abruptly
Suddenly and without warning
Verb
stopped showing
Ceased to display or broadcast
Object
the rocket’s performance and trajectory
Information about how the rocket was working and the path it was following
Sentence 2 of 16
As it became evident that its third stage had suffered an anomaly, putting paid to the C62 mission in a manner similar to the PSLV-C61 mission in May 2025,the change in the telecastbecamemore familiar.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
As it became evident that its third stage had suffered an anomaly, putting paid to the C62 mission in a manner similar to the PSLV-C61 mission in May 2025
When it was clear that the third part of the rocket had a technical problem, which ended the mission just like the failure in May 2025
Subject
the change in the telecast
The way the live TV broadcast suddenly switched or stopped showing data
Verb
became
Started to be or turned into
Complement
more familiar
Something that people recognized because it had happened before
Sentence 3 of 16
For decades,the PSLVhas beenthe ‘workhorse’ of India’s space ambitions.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
For decades
For a very long time (many periods of ten years)
Subject
the PSLV
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, which is India’s most famous rocket
Verb
has been
Has served as or has been known as
Complement
the ‘workhorse’ of India’s space ambitions
The most reliable and frequently used rocket for India’s goals in space
Sentence 4 of 16
Together with the rocket’s technology being mature,the implicationisthat the mistakes that sank two PSLV launches could be on the quality assurance side.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Together with the rocket’s technology being mature
Along with the fact that this rocket technology is already well-developed and tested
Subject
the implication
The logical conclusion or the hidden meaning of the situation
Verb
is
Means or points to the fact
Complement
that the mistakes that sank two PSLV launches could be on the quality assurance side
That the errors which caused two rockets to fail might be due to poor checking of parts and processes
Sentence 5 of 16
At least,theseare not likely to beisolated anomalies.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
At least
One thing that is certain or highly probable
Subject
these
These failures or mistakes mentioned before
Verb
are not likely to be
Probably are not
Complement
isolated anomalies
One-time problems that are not connected to a bigger issue
Sentence 6 of 16
The C61 mission failed after its third stage lost chamber pressure,but rather than publicly reveal the diagnosed root cause,the decisionwasto leave the Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) report with the Prime Minister’s Office.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
The C61 mission failed after its third stage lost chamber pressure
The previous mission (C61) was unsuccessful because the pressure in its third engine dropped
Adjunct
but rather than publicly reveal the diagnosed root cause
But instead of telling everyone the main reason they found for the failure
Subject
the decision
The choice made by the leaders of the space agency or government
Verb
was
Turned out to be or consisted of
Complement
to leave the Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) report with the Prime Minister’s Office
To give the investigation report only to the Prime Minister’s Office instead of sharing it with the public
Sentence 7 of 16
ISROprovidedassurances of “structural reinforcements”and clearedthe PSLVfor its next flight.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
ISRO
The Indian Space Research Organisation
Verb
provided
Gave or offered
Object
assurances of “structural reinforcements”
Promises that they had made the rocket’s structure stronger
Verb
and cleared
And gave official permission for
Object
the PSLV
The rocket (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle)
Adjunct
for its next flight
For its upcoming mission (which was C62)
Sentence 8 of 16
The symptom of the C62 failure, a “roll rate disturbance”,parallelsthe events preceding the C61 failure.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The symptom of the C62 failure, a “roll rate disturbance”
The sign that the C62 mission was failing, which was an unstable spinning of the rocket
Verb
parallels
Is very similar to or matches
Object
the events preceding the C61 failure
The things that happened just before the previous mission (C61) failed
Sentence 9 of 16
The financial consequencesarepoor:under the aegis of NewSpace India Limited,ISROhas been positioningthe PSLVas a commercial productin a competitive global launch market.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The financial consequences
The results related to money and business
Verb
are
Are currently
Complement
poor
Bad or negative
Adjunct
under the aegis of NewSpace India Limited
Under the leadership and support of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)
Subject
ISRO
The Indian Space Research Organisation
Verb
has been positioning
Has been trying to present or sell
Object
the PSLV
The rocket (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle)
Complement
as a commercial product
As something that other countries and companies can pay to use
Adjunct
in a competitive global launch market
In a world market where many different companies are trying to sell rocket launches
Sentence 10 of 16
Now,international insurers operating in this marketwill reassessthe PSLV’s risk profileand the insurance premiumscould skyrocket,rendering the vehicle less affordable—a strategic embarrassment for a country aspiring to be a net provider in space.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Now
At this current time, following the failure
Subject
international insurers operating in this market
Global companies that provide insurance for satellite launches
Verb
will reassess
Will evaluate again to see if the situation has changed
Object
the PSLV’s risk profile
The calculated level of danger or chance of failure for the PSLV rocket
Subject
and the insurance premiums
And the amount of money customers must pay for insurance
Verb
could skyrocket
Might increase very quickly to a very high level
Adjunct
rendering the vehicle less affordable
Making the rocket too expensive for many customers to use
Complement
a strategic embarrassment for a country aspiring to be a net provider in space
A shameful situation for India, which wants to be a major supplier of space services to the world
Sentence 11 of 16
The tenure of ISRO Chairman V. Narayananhas been characterisedby a continued shift away from ISRO’s traditional culture of scientific openness toward a more guarded, bureaucratic posture.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The tenure of ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan
The time period during which V. Narayanan has been the head of ISRO
Verb
has been characterised
Has been defined or marked by certain qualities
Adjunct
by a continued shift away from ISRO’s traditional culture of scientific openness toward a more guarded, bureaucratic posture
By a steady move away from being open about science and instead becoming more secretive and rule-bound
Sentence 12 of 16
While the pressure to maintain a high launch cadence is understandable,his decision to move the C62 mission to the pad while the autopsy of its predecessor remains classifiedshould raisetough questions about the organisation’s priorities.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
While the pressure to maintain a high launch cadence is understandable
Although we can understand why ISRO is being pushed to launch rockets very frequently
Subject
his decision to move the C62 mission to the pad while the autopsy of its predecessor remains classified
His choice to go ahead with the C62 launch even though the investigation into the last failure is still a secret
Verb
should raise
Ought to cause or lead to
Object
tough questions about the organisation’s priorities
Difficult questions about what ISRO thinks is most important
Sentence 13 of 16
That the C62 mission also carried the EOS-N1 satellite, built by the DRDO and with unspecified strategic applications,could help explaina ‘rush’if there was one.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
That the C62 mission also carried the EOS-N1 satellite, built by the DRDO and with unspecified strategic applications
The fact that the rocket was carrying a secret military satellite made by the DRDO
Verb
could help explain
Might be the reason for
Object
a ‘rush’
A hurry to complete the launch quickly
Adjunct
if there was one
If they were actually in a hurry
Sentence 14 of 16
Fortunately for Mr. Narayanan,ISROhas also demonstratedthe increasing reliability of its LVM-3 rocketin his time,most recently with the M6 mission in December 2025.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Fortunately for Mr. Narayanan
Luckily for the Chairman of ISRO
Subject
ISRO
The Indian Space Research Organisation
Verb
has also demonstrated
Has also shown or proven
Object
the increasing reliability of its LVM-3 rocket
That its heavy rocket (LVM-3) is becoming more and more trustworthy
Adjunct
in his time
During his period as the leader of ISRO
Adjunct
most recently with the M6 mission in December 2025
Most lately with the successful M6 launch that happened last month
Sentence 15 of 16
But right now,ISRO’s and his best path to restoring confidence, and begin the painful work of rebuilding quality assurance protocols,isfor the Department of Space to release the FAC report for the C61 mission.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
But right now
However, at this present moment
Subject
ISRO’s and his best path to restoring confidence, and begin the painful work of rebuilding quality assurance protocols
The best way for ISRO and its Chairman to make people trust them again and start fixing their quality check rules
Verb
is
Consists of or requires
Complement
for the Department of Space to release the FAC report for the C61 mission
Having the government department in charge of space make the investigation report for the 2025 failure public
Sentence 16 of 16
The tax-paying public and commercial stakeholdersdeserve to knowwhat went wrong in 2025, whether it recurred in 2026, and why the third stage was affected again.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The tax-paying public and commercial stakeholders
The citizens who pay taxes to fund ISRO and the businesses that use its services
Verb
deserve to know
Have the right to be told the truth about
Object
what went wrong in 2025, whether it recurred in 2026, and why the third stage was affected again
The details of the 2025 failure, if the same thing happened in 2026, and why the third engine failed twice
Reading Comprehension
Practice questions based on this editorial
Reading Comprehension - ISRO PSLV-C62 Failure
Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about ISRO's PSLV-C62 mission failure and quality assurance issues.
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