In a significant interaction, Prime Minister Narendra Modi connected with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is currently stationed at the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot, made history as the first Indian astronaut to travel to space in over four decades, as part of the Axiom-4 mission. The Prime Minister's Office shared a picture of the video conference between Modi and Shukla on social media. Modi had previously congratulated Shukla and the other crew members on the successful launch of Axiom-4, emphasizing that Shukla carries the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. During their two-week stay on the ISS, the Axiom-4 crew will conduct various scientific experiments, technology demonstrations, and educational outreach activities in a microgravity environment. Shukla is set to lead seven of the 60 experiments planned for the mission, marking a collaborative effort between NASA and ISRO.

In other news, the central government has appointed Parag Jain, a 1989-batch IPS officer from the Punjab cadre, as the new chief of the Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW). Jain will succeed Ravi Sinha, whose term ends on June 30th, and is scheduled to assume office on July 1, 2025, for a fixed two-year tenure. Currently heading the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), Jain has been lauded for his role in Operation Sindoor, where his intelligence inputs enabled precision missile strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Jain's extensive experience includes serving as SSP, Chandigarh, and DIG Ludhiana, as well as representing India in Canada and Sri Lanka. During his posting in Canada, he addressed the Khalistan ecosystem, warning Delhi of its increasing danger. He also played a crucial role in the Centre's counter-terrorism strategy in Jammu and Kashmir. Known as a 'super sleuth' within intelligence circles, Jain is recognized for his ability to combine human and technical intelligence effectively.

Adding to the day's headlines, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar stated that adding 'socialist' and 'secular' to the Preamble of the Constitution was "sacrilege to the spirit of sanatan". Protests have erupted against Zumba in Kerala, with the government reaffirming its stance to "keep religion away from education". In Kolkata, a security guard has been arrested as the fourth suspect in a rape case at a law college; a video of the crime was recovered from the accused's phone. Amidst these events, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an 'orange' alert as rains lash Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). Lastly, actor Shefali Jariwala passed away at the age of 42; the cause of death is currently unknown.