♦ Defence minister Rajnath Singh visited the Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Bengaluru, Karnataka on 9 March 2025.

♦ He became the first Defence minister to visit the institute, was briefed about the unique role of IAM in pilot training, their medical evaluation and aeromedical research.

♦ He also launched the Indian Council of Medical Research Extramural Research Project: Centre for Advanced Research at the institute.

♦ The title of the project is ‘Space Psychology: Selection and Behavioural Health Training of Astronauts & Astronaut Designates for Indian Space Missions’. 

♦ The Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) is a premier institute under the Indian Air Force, dedicated to research and training in the field of aerospace medicine.

♦ The institute plays a crucial role in ensuring the physiological and psychological well-being of fighter pilots and astronauts.