India's space ambitions for 2026 began with a significant setback as the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C62) mission encountered a critical anomaly during its third stage shortly after liftoff on January 12, 2026. The mission, carrying the EOS-N1 (Anvesha) Earth observation satellite developed by DRDO, along with 15 other co-passenger satellites, was intended to place them into a 512-kilometer Sun-Synchronous Orbit. While the initial stages of the launch proceeded nominally, an anomaly was detected near the end of the third-stage burn, causing a deviation in the rocket's flight path. This deviation led to the loss of all 16 satellites, a significant blow to ISRO's capabilities and commercial ventures. The incident is particularly concerning as it follows a similar third-stage anomaly during the PSLV-C61 mission in May 2025, making this the second consecutive failure for the PSLV, ISRO's reliable 'workhorse' rocket. ISRO has confirmed the anomaly and stated that a detailed analysis has been initiated to determine the root cause. The loss of the Anvesha satellite, designed for strategic defense purposes, is a notable concern. This back-to-back failure raises questions about the reliability of the PSLV amidst growing global competition in the space sector. The total cost of the lost satellites and the launch is still being assessed, but given the previous failure's estimated cost of around ₹1,255 crore, this incident represents a substantial financial and strategic setback for India.