Current affairs, 29 August 2026: ISRO sets the EOS-05 launch for 4 September and begins a leadership revamp, and Varnali Deka becomes the first woman IAS officer from Assam empanelled as Joint Secretary

29 August 2026 brings a science and technology double bill from ISRO — a launch date and a leadership shake-up — and a governance and appointments first as an Assam-cadre officer joins the Centre’s Joint Secretary panel. Names, dates and numbers below.

ISRO sets EOS-05 launch for 4 September

ISRO is preparing a return to the launch pad with the EOS-05 Earth-observation satellite, nicknamed “Hawk’s Eye,” scheduled for 4 September 2026 aboard a GSLV (F-17) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The mission matters because it follows a difficult run — including two consecutive PSLV failures — and is meant to restore confidence in the programme; the satellite is expected to strengthen Earth-observation coverage for civilian and security uses. Indian Defence News

For revision: ISRO is headed by Chairman Dr V. Narayanan; the GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) places heavier payloads than the PSLV; and launches happen from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

ISRO begins a leadership revamp

Alongside the launch, the Centre has begun a leadership revamp at ISRO after a series of setbacks. New directors have been appointed at several centres, and PSLV Director S.R. Biju — a Malayali scientist — has been named head of the Gaganyaan programme, replacing Dinesh Singh. The Vyommitra humanoid robot is expected to fly within about three months, ISRO plans to recruit 170 new scientists, and stalled launch activity is set to resume from September. Kerala Kaumudi

Why it matters for an exam: the reliable one-mark facts are Gaganyaan (India’s human spaceflight programme), the Vyommitra half-humanoid robot meant to fly before a crewed mission, and the theme of an ISRO turnaround after mission failures.

Varnali Deka: first woman IAS officer from Assam on the Centre’s Joint Secretary panel

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on 29 August 2026 empanelled Dr Varnali Deka, a 2009-batch IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, for a Joint Secretary-level post at the Government of India — making her the first woman IAS officer from Assam to be so empanelled. She is currently a Director in the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The Times of India

A detail worth remembering: Deka was also the first Assamese woman to qualify for both the civil services, securing All-India Rank 16 in the IAS and Rank 82 in the IPS.

What to write in your notebook

Three lines:

1. EOS-05 (“Hawk’s Eye”): ISRO Earth-observation satellite set to launch 4 September 2026 on a GSLV (F-17) from Sriharikota; a comeback after two PSLV failures. ISRO Chairman — Dr V. Narayanan.
2. ISRO revamp: S.R. Biju (PSLV Director) to head Gaganyaan (replacing Dinesh Singh); Vyommitra humanoid expected within ~3 months; 170 new scientists; launches resume from September.
3. Varnali Deka: first woman IAS officer from Assam empanelled as Joint Secretary at the Centre (DoPT, 29 August 2026); 2009-batch, Assam-Meghalaya cadre; now Director, Ministry of Tribal Affairs.