A New Era: India Emerging as a Global Space Hub

By R Anil Kumar

Bengaluru, July 26. India is rapidly emerging as a global space hub driven by private sector reforms, surging startups, and major technological milestones like private orbital rocket launches and major international launch partnerships.

Key Growth Drivers

• Private Sector Participation: The Indian Space Policy opened the full space value chain to private companies.
• Startup Boom: Space startups have grown from just 1 in 2014 to over 400 active enterprises in 2026.
• Economic Value: The national space economy is valued at $8.4 billion and is projected to scale up to $45 billion.
• Major Milestones

• Orbital Access: Private orbital launch capabilities achieved by companies like Skyroot Aerospace with vehicles like Vikram-1.
• Global Partnerships: Launching international payloads, such as joint missions with America’s NASA European agencies and others.
• Deep Space Success: Historic achievements including landing a rover on the lunar south pole(Chandrayaan-3).

Reforms, Progress and Lift-off

India’s space sector is undergoing a historic transformation through the Government of India’s forward-looking reforms. As Skyroot Aerospace launched Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed orbital rocket, the country’s growing private space ecosystem is demonstrating the impact of these reforms. The Indian Space Policy 2023 has opened the entire space value chain to private participation, fostering innovation, investment and enterprise across the space ecosystem. Indian industry is now participating in satellite manufacturing, launch services, space applications and downstream services.

The impact of these reforms is already visible in the numbers. India’s space startup ecosystem has grown from just one startup in 2014 to over 400 in 2026, reflecting the rapid expansion of private participation and innovation across the space sector.

Government reforms are also accelerating the growth of India’s space economy. Valued at approximately USD 8.4 billion today, the sector is projected to grow five-fold to USD 40–45 billion by 2030.

It is further aimed to reach USD 100 billion by 2040. Sustained Government support, enabling regulations and strong public-private partnerships continue to drive this growth, positioning India as a global hub for space technology, manufacturing, innovation and commercial space activities.

Key Reforms Enabling Private Participation in India’s Space Sector

The Government of India has taken profound steps by introducing key reforms in the space sector to expand private sector participation and unlock new opportunities for innovation.

Indian Space Policy 2023

The Government notified the Indian Space Policy 2023, allowing Non-Government Entities (NGEs) to take part across the entire space value chain. This move opened doors for private players to space-related activities in India. The policy aims to drive innovation in technology, encouraging fresh ideas and advancements within the sector. Alongside this, the policy also encourages international collaboration, fostering partnerships that support peaceful exploration of space. Collectively, these steps mark a significant shift toward a more open and inclusive space ecosystem in India.

 Single-Window Space Regulator

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is acting as an autonomous single-window agency to authorise and promote space activities by Government entities and NGEs.

Strengthened by the Indian Space Policy 2023, IN-SPACealso provides a stable and predictable regulatory framework and facilitates end-to-end industry participation, Additionally, it enables access to ISRO facilities, technologies and technical expertise, and streamlines approvals through transparent guidelines. As of June 2026, IN-SPACe has registered over 4,500 organisations, issued 133 authorisations, and signed 106 Memoranda of Understanding.

Additionally, as of February 2026, IN-SPACe facilitated USD 150 million in investments into Indian space startups during CY 2025, with the top 10 startups securing a confirmed order book of the same value.

By June 2026, IN-SPACe had also facilitated 118 technology transfer agreements and signed 189 Joint Project Implementation Plans (JPIPs), Technology Partnership Agreements (TPAs) and Business Partnership Agreements (BPAs), accelerating technology commercialisation and industry collaboration.

Catalysing Private Investment

IN-SPACe Seed Fund Scheme: This scheme provides early-stage financial assistance to space startups and Micro and Small Enterprises. It supports them in developing innovative space technologies and practical applications for various uses.

Moreover, the scheme offers grants of up to ₹1 crore to eligible applicants working in this space. Along with funding, it also provides mentorship, training, and networking support to help startups grow. Additionally, the scheme grants funds to Indian space startups working on agriculture-related technologies. It supports solutions for disaster management and urban development that rely on space technology.

₹1,000 crore Venture Capital (VC) Fund: A VC under IN-SPACe aims to accelerate private participation in the space sector. This fund provides early-stage capital to promising startups working in space technology and related fields.

It also attracts private investment into the sector while supporting the production of domestic space startups. The initiative aims to expand India’s space economy five-fold over the coming decade. The fund will be deployed over five years, starting from FY 2025-26 through FY 2029-30. Annual investments under this fund will range between ₹100 crore and ₹250 crore.

₹500 crore Technology Adoption Fund (TAF): IN-SPACe introduced the Technology Adoption Fund (TAF). This fund aims to accelerate the deployment of indigenous space technologies developed by NGEs. It also supports the transformation of early-stage technologies into commercially viable products for the market.

The scheme offers funding of up to 60% of project cost for startups and MSMEs. Large industries can receive funding of up to 40% of their project cost. This funding is subject to a maximum limit of ₹25 crore per project.

Commercialisation of India’s Space Programme

The Indian Space Policy 2023 defined the role of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) as ISRO’s commercial arm.

NSIL manufactures and procures space systems on commercial principles. It also delivers end-to-end space solutions to both Government entities and NGEs.

NSIL further expands private participation through PSLV productionisation and small satellite technology transfer. It also supports satellite services while marketing space products and spin-off technologies.

Over the years, NSIL has witnessed a tenfold increase in revenue, reflecting its expanding commercial footprint in the global space sector. As of December 2025, over 70 Technology Transfer Agreements had enabled the transfer of ISRO-developed technologies to industry, accelerating their commercialisation.

As of July 2026, NSIL has launched a total of 141 satellites, including 138 international/customer satellites and 3 Indian satellites, reinforcing India’s position as a trusted global launch service provider.

Liberalised FDI Policy for Space

The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy for the space sector was liberalised to make it more investor-friendly.

The revised policy permits up to 74% automatic FDI in satellite manufacturing and operations, 49% automatic FDI in launch vehicles and spaceports, and 100% automatic FDI in the manufacturing of satellite components and subsystems.

The reform is expected to accelerate investments, promote technology transfer and collaborative research, and further improve the ease of doing business in India’s space sector.

These reforms reflect the government’s commitment to building a stronger, more dynamic space ecosystem that encourages enterprise, accelerates growth, and strengthens India’s global standing.

From Policy to Progress

Government reforms have unlocked innovation, private participation and commercial opportunities across India’s space ecosystem. These reforms have translated into tangible outcomes in launch services, indigenous technology development, public-private partnerships and technology transfer.

NSIL strengthened India’s commercial launch capabilities by executing India’s first dedicated commercial LVM3 mission in October 2022, launching 36 OneWeb satellites into Low Earth Orbit and reinforcing India’s position in the global launch services market.

Vikram-S, launched under Mission Prarambh in November 2022. Vikram-S was India’s first privately developed rocket and the country’s first private launch authorised by IN-SPACe. The technology demonstration mission carried three customer payloads equipped with sensors to validate critical launch technologies for future orbital missions.

Agnikul Cosmos became the first NGE to launch a rocket from India’s first private launch pad (‘Dhanush’) at Sriharikota in May 2024. The mission also demonstrated the world’s first single-piece 3D-printed semi-cryogenic rocket engine.

IN-SPACe approved a Public-Private Partnership for an Earth Observation satellite constellation, led by Pixxel with Dhruva Space, SatSure Analytics India and Piersight Space, to strengthen applications such as agriculture, disaster management, climate monitoring and urban planning.

Technology commercialisation has also accelerated.

In February 2026, IN-SPACe facilitated the ₹511 crore, 10-year transfer of SSLV technology to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), enabling industry-led production and launch services. Bellatrix Aerospace also successfully demonstrated an indigenous Green Propulsion System under DRDO’s Technology Development Fund, strengthening indigenous capabilities through cleaner propulsion technologies.

This collaborative ecosystem is shaping India’s emergence as a global space technology hub.

The Road Ahead

India’s space sector stands at the threshold of a new era, driven by Government-led reforms and a vibrant private ecosystem. The Indian Space Policy 2023, liberalised FDI norms, and dedicated funding initiatives have opened the entire space value chain to any potential players.

These reforms have fostered a dynamic ecosystem marked by growing startups, indigenous innovation, and expanding commercial activities.

Moreover, as Vikram-1 was launched under Mission Aagaman, it would represent more than a technological milestone. It reflects the growing confidence and capabilities of India’s private space industry.

The journey from ISRO-led missions to a thriving space ecosystem demonstrates the success of the Government’s reform agenda. With sustained policy support, public-private partnerships, and technological innovation, India is well positioned to emerge as a leading global space power and a key driver of the future space economy.