**Executive Summary**
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hosted the 35th Plenary and Working Groups meetings of the ISO TC 20 / SC 14 ‘Space Systems and Operations’ subcommittee in New Delhi from May 4–8, 2026. This inaugural event in India brought together 131 international delegates to shape global standards for space safety, sustainability, and debris mitigation. The meeting highlights India's rising role in the global space sector and its commitment to aligning national standards with international frameworks through reforms like IN-SPACe.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Event Scope and Participation**
* India hosted the ISO international subcommittee meetings for the first time, featuring 131 delegates from 13 countries.
* Participants included representatives from National Standards Bodies, international space agencies (including ISRO), the space industry, and academia.
* **Standardization Focus Areas**
* Development of standards covering the entire lifecycle of space systems: design, production, launch, operations, and space-based services.
* Priority topics included mission safety, interoperability, space sustainability, and debris mitigation.
* The goal is to ensure space activities remain safe, inclusive, and sustainable for humanity.
* **Strategic National Objectives**
* BIS is working to align Indian national standards with international frameworks to support the evolving needs of the space industry.
* The government aims to foster a space hub where both startups and established industries can thrive through policy reforms and the creation of IN-SPACe.
* Direct participation in the standardization process is intended to strengthen India’s national ecosystem and global competitiveness.
* **Institutional Collaboration**
* The meetings reflect the collaborative efforts of the Department of Consumer Affairs, BIS, ISRO, and IN-SPACe.
* The initiative facilitates India’s integration into the global space economy by fostering industry confidence and innovation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Space Industry (Startups and Established Firms)**
**Impact:** Enhanced global competitiveness and easier integration into the international space economy through standardized frameworks.
**Action Required:** Align internal design and production processes with the emerging international standards to ensure mission safety and interoperability.
**International Standards Organization (ISO) and Global Delegates**
**Impact:** Benefit from India's active role and expertise in shaping standards for emerging areas like space sustainability and debris mitigation.
**Action Required:** Continue collaborative efforts within Working Groups to finalize standards for the space system lifecycle.
**Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)**
**Impact:** Strengthened position as a key player in the global standardization process and a facilitator for the domestic space sector.
**Action Required:** Continue aligning Indian standards with international frameworks and providing platforms for local experts to participate in global standard-setting.
**Government Bodies (IN-SPACe and ISRO)**
**Impact:** Validation of policy reforms that have enabled private sector participation and positioned India at the forefront of global space transformation.
**Action Required:** Maintain the momentum of policy reforms to support the emerging space hub and foster continued innovation.
Key Entities Referenced
ISO TC 20 / SC 14 ‘Space Systems and Operations’: The international subcommittee responsible for developing global standards for the entire lifecycle of space systems, including mission safety, interoperability, and debris mitigation.
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS): The National Standards Body of India that organized the plenary meetings to align Indian space standards with international frameworks and support the domestic space industry.
IN-SPACe: The government body credited with laying the foundation for India's emerging space hub and enabling private sector participation through policy reforms.
ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation): India's primary space agency whose achievements and participation are central to India's rising influence in shaping international space standards.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
India Hosts ISO International Subcommittee
Meetings on ‘Space Systems and Operations’ for
the First Time
Bureau of Indian Standards Brings Together International
Experts to Shape Future of Space Safety, Operations and
Sustainability
131 international delegates from 13 countries participated in
the event.
Focus on Standards for Entire lifecycle of Space Systems
including Mission Safety, Interoperability and Debris
mitigation
Posted On: 08 MAY 2026 2:13PM by PIB Delhi
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the National Standards Body of India, organised the 35th Plenary and
Working Groups meetings of the ISO TC 20 / SC 14 ‘Space Systems and Operations’ subcommittee of
International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) at New Delhi.
Speaking at the Opening Plenary at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, Ms. Nidhi Khare, Secretary,
Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, highlighted the importance of global
collaboration in advancing standards and India’s growing role in shaping the international space
standards ecosystem. She said - "It is a matter of immense pride for India to host this meeting as we
stand at the forefront of global space transformation. Through significant reforms and the creation of IN-
SPACe, the Government of India has laid the foundation for an emerging space hub where startups
and established industries alike can thrive. Standards developed by such global collaboration and expertise
will help in making space safe, sustainable and inclusive for humanity.On this occasion, Sanjay Garg, Director General, Bureau of Indian Standards, highlighted the important
role of standardisation in ensuring quality, safety, and global competitiveness in India’s growing space
sector. He said that BIS is working to align Indian standards with international frameworks to
support the changing needs of the space industry. Emphasising the rapid transformation of India’s space
sector, he noted that BIS standards are helping the private sector become globally competitive. He also
said that hosting the meeting in India is important because it gives Indian experts an opportunity to
directly participate in the standardisation process, thereby strengthening both the national ecosystem and
global standardisation efforts.
Dr. Pawan Goenka (Chairman, IN-SPACe) underscored the transformative growth of India’s space
ecosystem, driven by policy reforms and private sector participation, and stressed the importance of
robust standards in enabling innovation, fostering industry confidence, and facilitating India’s integration
into the global space economy.
The event witnessed participation of 131 international delegates from 13 countries representing
National Standards Bodies, experts from International Space Agencies including ISRO from India, Space
Industry, and Academia.The Inaugural Session was graced by Ms. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Govt.
of India; Shri Sanjay Garg, Director General, BIS; Dr. Pawan Goenka (Chairman, IN-SPACe); Ms. Reena
Garg, Deputy Director General (Standardisation), BIS; Mr. Frederick Slane (Chairperson, ISO TC 20 / SC
14) and Mr. Rajeev Jyoti (Chairperson, National Mirror Committee BIS TED 14 on Air and Space
Vehicles).
ISO/TC 20/SC 14 develops international standards for the entire lifecycle of space systems from design
and production to launch, operations, and space-based services, ensuring safety, interoperability, and
sustainability in global space activities. India hosting this key international meeting highlights its rising
position in the global space sector, driven by the achievements of ISRO and growing private sector
participation enabled through reforms under IN-SPACe. The meeting also reflects India’s active role in
shaping global standards in emerging areas such as space sustainability, debris mitigation, and
mission operations.
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RT/ARC
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