ENVIRONMENT & SCIENCE
Scientific Missions
First Flight Tests of India's Indigenous 'Saras Mk II' Slated for Late 2027-28
CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) is spearheading the development of 'SARAS Mk II', India's indigenous 19-seater twin-turboprop passenger aircraft.
State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been selected as the production partner, with a dedicated production line being established at HAL's Kanpur facility.
The aircraft is targeted to run its maiden flight tests by the final quarter of the financial year 2027-28, with the ultimate goal of securing complete commercial certification by mid-2031.
The Saras Mk II is designed specifically to replace the ageing Dornier Do-228 fleet and bolster domestic regional aviation under the UDAN connectivity scheme.
State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been selected as the production partner, with a dedicated production line being established at HAL's Kanpur facility.
The aircraft is targeted to run its maiden flight tests by the final quarter of the financial year 2027-28, with the ultimate goal of securing complete commercial certification by mid-2031.
The Saras Mk II is designed specifically to replace the ageing Dornier Do-228 fleet and bolster domestic regional aviation under the UDAN connectivity scheme.
Key Facts / Static GK
CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) is headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is a state-owned aerospace and defence company headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is a state-owned aerospace and defence company headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Practice Quiz — 15 July 2026
Q1. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the 'Gramodyam' programme launched by NABARD?
Answer: (C) The program is being executed through the Institute for Industrial Development (IID) in collaboration with NSDC. — The Gramodyam scheme is a 3-year pilot program targeting 4,000 rural entrepreneurs, implemented through the Institute for Industrial Development (IID) in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. It was launched on NABARD's 45th Foundation Day.
Q2. How is the ₹4 crore central funding structured for the development of the Street Food Hub under the PM SVANidhi initiative in Lakhanpur?
Answer: (C) 30% initial instalment, 50% during implementation, 20% after completion — The financial assistance of ₹4 crore for each Street Food Hub is released in three phases: 30% as the initial instalment, 50% during implementation, and the final 20% after successful completion.
Q3. Which personnel will actively carry out the ground-level data collection for the TRAI-Department of Posts nationwide telecom survey?
Answer: (B) Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDSs) — The village-level network performance survey will be carried out by Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDSs) during their routine postal delivery operations.
Q4. Which two agricultural commodities from North Gujarat were recently granted Geographical Indication (GI) tags?
Answer: (B) Unjha Cumin and Unjha Fennel — Unjha Cumin (Jeera) and Unjha Fennel (Variyali) from the North Gujarat region have been granted prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tags.
Q5. Which public sector enterprise has partnered with CSIR-NAL as the production manufacturing partner for the SARAS Mk II passenger aircraft?
Answer: (B) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) — State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is the licensed production partner for the SARAS Mk II project, with its Kanpur facility designated to set up the assembly and production line.
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