Why is it in the news?
Union Budget 2026–27 sanctioned NLST and NLOT in Ladakh and upgrade of Himalayan Chandra Telescope.
The move strengthens India’s observational astronomy capabilities.
Category: S&T
Important Points:
● National Large Solar Telescope (NLST) to be set up at Merak near Pangong Tso
● NLST is 2-metre aperture, India’s third ground-based solar observatory
● Operates in visible and near-infrared wavelengths
● National Large Optical–Near Infrared Telescope (NLOT) to be built at Hanle
● NLOT will be 13.7-metre segmented mirror telescope with 90 hexagonal mirrors
● Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) to be upgraded to 3.7-metre segmented mirror
● Hanle offers high altitude, dry atmosphere and minimal diffraction
● Enhances data sovereignty and supports space-weather monitoring