Jitendra Singh urges greater industry investment to propel India’s space ambitions
New Delhi, June 11. Union Minister of State for Space Dr. Jitendra Singh has called on established industries to significantly increase investments and participation in India’s space sector, stressing that stronger private-sector involvement is essential to develop globally competitive indigenous technologies and reduce dependence on foreign sources.
Addressing the 10th IN-SPACe Industry Connect on June 11, the minister said that while India’s burgeoning startup ecosystem has showcased remarkable innovation and technological capabilities, the country’s ambitions in the global space economy would require the manufacturing capacity, financial resources and market reach of larger industrial players.
Dr. Singh said the decision to open the space sector to private participation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi represented a watershed moment in India’s approach to strategic industries, unleashing entrepreneurial potential and transforming the country’s space ecosystem in a relatively short period.
Highlighting the policy framework supporting the sector, he pointed to the Indian Space Policy 2023, which has provided regulatory clarity and strategic direction for stakeholders. He also noted that liberalisation of the foreign direct investment (FDI) regime has attracted investments and strengthened India’s integration into global supply chains.
According to the minister, the establishment of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has emerged as a key institutional reform, enabling and regulating non-government participation across the entire space value chain.
Dr. Singh said the government has introduced a ₹1,000-crore Venture Capital Fund and a ₹500-crore Technology Adoption Fund to support innovation and commercialisation. He added that seed funding initiatives, incubation programmes, skill development efforts and an AICTE-approved space technology curriculum are helping create a future-ready workforce for the expanding sector.
The minister noted that India’s private space ecosystem has witnessed rapid growth, expanding from a handful of pioneering enterprises to more than 400 startups alongside hundreds of established and emerging companies. Indian firms are now developing launch vehicles, satellites, propulsion technologies, Earth observation applications, space situational awareness capabilities and a variety of downstream services.
He cited companies such as Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, Pixxel, GalaxEye, Digantara and Dhruva Space as examples of India’s growing technological prowess and entrepreneurial spirit.
Dr. Singh also advocated the development of a stronger culture of philanthropy in scientific research, arguing that investments in innovation should be regarded as a meaningful contribution to society alongside traditional charitable activities.
Acknowledging concerns raised by industry over lengthy approval processes and regulatory hurdles, the minister assured stakeholders of the government’s support and stressed the need for open dialogue between policymakers and industry. He underscored the importance of creating governance mechanisms that encourage innovation rather than impede it.
Emphasising the need for closer collaboration among government agencies, industry, academia, investors and state governments, Dr. Singh said the agility of startups must be complemented by the scale and execution capabilities of established enterprises to realise the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Antariksh’ or self-reliant space capabilities.
He observed that India possesses abundant talent and entrepreneurial energy, and that recent reforms have provided the enabling environment needed to harness these strengths.
Concluding his address, the minister said India’s aspirations in the space sector cannot be achieved by the government alone and called on all stakeholders to work collectively with ambition and confidence to establish the country as a major force in the global space economy.
