Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Prime Minister's Office on 23rd August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
This document outlines an interaction between the Prime Minister and CEOs of Indian space startups, highlighting the sector's growth following the successful launch of India's first private rocket on July 18. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of government policy consistency to build investor trust and foster a "magnet" for global talent. Key future milestones mentioned include achieving one launch per month by mid-next year and establishing a global ground station network within 18 months.
Key Points / Main Content
Government Policy and Sector Growth
The government aims to maintain consistent policy decisions to encourage private sector risk-taking.
India’s first Space Tech Unicorn successfully launched a private rocket on July 18, with three factories already established to support monthly launches.
The sector has transitioned from a government-only domain to one where private companies receive support for exports.
Technological Innovation and Infrastructure
Development of modern engines and specialized propulsion systems for satellite movement (5–15 year lifespan) is underway.
New projects include robotic spacecraft for removing space debris and the development of docking and refueling technologies to create space fuel stations.
India has launched its first "space pharma" startup, focused on manufacturing pharmaceuticals in space.
A goal has been set to establish a global ground station network within the next 18 months.
Talent and Market Expansion
There is a visible trend of Indian citizens returning from the US and Europe to work in the domestic space industry.
Indian startups are increasingly competitive in cost and are securing international launch contracts.
Space innovations are being applied to benefit 1 million farmers.
Impact Analysis
Space Startup CEOsImpact:
Startups are experiencing increased investor confidence and global traction due to successful missions and government backing for private sector participation.
Action Required:
Scale up production to meet launch targets (moving from monthly to weekly launches) and continue developing specialized technologies like orbital refueling and space manufacturing.
Indian Diaspora and Global TalentImpact:
The opening of the space sector has created an "aura" that attracts high-level talent back to India from international markets.
Action Required:
Professionals are encouraged to join Indian startups and agencies to strengthen the national talent pool.
International InvestorsImpact:
Confidence in the Indian space market has risen significantly following the first successful private rocket launch.
Action Required:
Monitor the sector for opportunities to support expanding global ground networks and specialized space services.
Agricultural Sector (Farmers)Impact:
Space technology is being tailored to provide innovative solutions directly to the farming community.
Action Required:
The industry plans to reach 1 million farmers through specific innovation launches.
Key Entities Referenced
Skyroot: India's first Space Tech Unicorn and the first private company to successfully launch a rocket in India, cited as a primary success of the government's effort to open the sector.
Prime Minister's Office: The central administrative body overseeing the interaction and the overarching policy shift towards liberalizing the Indian space industry.
Space Tech Startups: The primary group of private entities for whom the sector was opened, representing the core beneficiaries and scope of the government's space initiatives.
Prime Minister's Office
English rendering of PM’s interaction with Space
Startup CEOs
प्रव तथ: 23 AUG 2026 11:42AM by PIB Delhi
Prime Minister – You have shown courage in a new field. The most important thing is that you trusted
the government’s word. My view has always been that whatever decisions we take, we must remain
consistent in them, we must not keep changing them again and again, so that anyone who wants to take a
risk can have confidence that, fine, if something goes wrong it will be because of my mistake, but no one
will abandon me. And this was our effort - to create that trust.
CEO – We are India’s first Space Tech Unicorn. On July 18 we successfully launched India’s first private
rocket, ejecting satellites. And this is just the beginning. Generally, we say this is just a warm-up for
Skyroot, it is only the start. By mid next year we will be doing one launch per month. And also, thanks to
you sir for opening up the sector. Three factories have already been built. We already have the capacity for
one rocket per month. And this is just the beginning. Our future dream is to do one launch per week and
several launches per day.
CEO – We have made an engine that comes among the most modern engines in the world. Sir, we have
prepared it, and its testing is ongoing.
Prime Minister – Do they have confidence, the investors?
CEO – Sir, after Skyroot’s first launch, their confidence has increased.
Prime Minister – Good. That route is helping you?
CEO – It is helping a lot.
Prime Minister – Now the world must be searching for India’s startups, wondering who is behind this.
Because when there is a breakthrough, immediately people’s attention goes there.
CEO – I think, after the space industry opened up, we have seen a very good trend. Our citizens who are
in the US and Europe want to come back and work with us.
Prime Minister – We have to connect many people, and as Mehta said, now people who had gone abroad
are coming back. I believe we must create such an aura that people all over the world feel that if they want
to build their life, they should come to Hindustan. Join some Indian startup. Join some Indian space
agency. I firmly believe that the entire talent pool, like a magnet, because of you we can attract, and that
can become a very great strength for us.
CEO – Our vision is that in the next 18 months we want to set up a global ground station network.
CEO – We make the engines that satellites use to move from one place to another in space, for 5 years or
15 years. Globally we have received very good traction. And sir, your effort has been very important in
this too, because now Indian companies have government support for exporting.Prime Minister – In cost we are very competitive, in talent there is no question at all, and the risk-taking
capacity of our people is anyway greater. And because of that we can very quickly make our place.
CEO – This robotic spacecraft will go to space, physically capture the dead satellite and remove it from
orbit.
CEO – We are the first Indian company working on docking and refueling technologies, with the vision of
establishing a fuel station in space.
CEO – My name is Antariksh, my co-founder Monika is also here. Sir, we are India’s first space pharma
startup. We are making satellites that can go to space, manufacture pharmaceuticals there, and bring them
back from space.
Prime Minister – Your name is Antariksh - was your family already in this field?
CEO – No sir, my mother gave me this name.
CEO – After one launch, in the last one month we have received eight launch contracts.
Prime Minister – Good, good.
CEO – And mostly they are international.
CEO – Sir, right now we are planned to launch this innovation with 1 million farmers.
CEO – Sir, this is for you, so that a memory will remain.
Prime Minister – Wonderful.
CEO – This opening, which you did for the private sector, through that the private satellites are now
showing the beauty of India.
***
MJPS/SS/VJ/ST
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