Executive Summary:
This document outlines the Indian government's plan to utilize space technology across various national initiatives and details measures to develop human capital within the space sector. It addresses how space-based inputs support programs like Digital India, Smart Cities Mission, and agricultural monitoring, while also describing initiatives like research programs and the proposed Global Space Institute to foster a skilled workforce and promote space economy. The information was presented in response to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 144 on July 30, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
Space Technology Applications:
* Space-based inputs support Digital India and Smart Cities Mission through Bhuvan Geoportal, Aadhar enrolment database, geocoded postal address system, and Rooftop Photo Voltaic PV potential assessment.
* High-resolution satellite data generates urban geospatial databases for AMRUT Cities.
* Remote sensing data is used under the FASAL program for crop acreage and production forecasting for 11 crops.
* The CHAMAN program uses Geoinformatics for horticulture assessment and management of 7 crops.
* Geospatial technology monitors asset creation and planning under the MGNREGA program.
* Geospatial technology monitors watershed development interventions under the PMKSY-WDC program.
* Geoportal and high-resolution satellite data are utilized for monitoring rural road development under the PMGSY program.
* Satellite data is used to optimize crop cutting experiments, monitor crop damage and develop crop yield proxies under the PMFBY program.
* Geoportal and satellite data are used to monitor housing construction stages under the PMAY-HFA program.
Human Capital Development in the Space Sector:
* ISRO has research programs (RESPOND, STC, RACS, STIC, COE) to encourage academic participation in space-related activities.
* These programs aim to give students exposure to space science, technology, and exploration.
* The Department of Space (DoS) proposes to establish a 'Global Space Institute' (GSpI) to promote the space economy.
* GSpI will focus on startups incubation, space entrepreneurship, space commercialization, and private investment.
* GSpI will partner with academic institutions, industries, and government agencies nationally and internationally.
Impact Analysis:
Academia/Educational Institutions:
* Impact: Encouraged to participate in space-related activities through ISRO's research programs, potential partners for the GSpI.
* Action Required: Participate in ISRO research programs, collaborate with GSpI when established.
Students:
* Impact: Gaining exposure to space science, technology, and exploration, benefiting from multidisciplinary education at GSpI.
* Action Required: Participate in relevant programs, enroll in GSpI when established.
Startups/Entrepreneurs:
* Impact: Incubation and commercialization opportunities through GSpI.
* Action Required: Engage with GSpI for potential support and investment.
Government Agencies:
* Impact: Collaboration with GSpI, utilization of space technology for national initiatives.
* Action Required: Partner with GSpI, integrate space-based inputs into various programs.
Farmers:
* Impact: Benefit from crop monitoring, yield estimation, and faster claim settlement through space technology applications.
* Action Required: Utilize available resources and information from crop monitoring programs.
Citizens:
* Impact: Benefit from improved infrastructure, urban development, and digital services through space technology applications.
* Action Required: None.
Key Entities Referenced
Digital India: A Government of India initiative to ensure that Government services are made available to citizens electronically by improved online infrastructure and by increasing Internet connectivity.
Smart Cities Mission: An urban renewal and retrofitting program by the Government of India with the mission to develop smart cities across the country, making them citizen friendly and sustainable.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation AMRUT: A Government of India scheme focused on establishing infrastructure that can ensure robust sewage networks and water supply for urban transformation.
Forecasting Agricultural Output using Space, Agrometeorology and Landbased Observation FASAL: A programme for crop acreage assessment and production forecast.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act MGNREGA: An Indian labour law and social security measure that aims to guarantee the 'right to work'.
PMKSY WDC Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayi Yojana Watershed Development Component: A Government of India scheme for improving water use efficiency and promoting water conservation.
PMFBY: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, a crop insurance scheme in India.
Global Space Institute GSpI: A proposed institute by the Department of Space to promote space economy by guiding the incubation of startups, space entrepreneurship, space commercialization and also on possible avenues on private investment into space sector.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF SPACE
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 144
TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2025
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT ON FLAGSHIP INITIATIVE
*144. SMT. PRATIMA MONDAL:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) the manner in which the Government plan to leverage space
technology to support flagship national initiatives such as
Digital India, Smart Cities Mission and agricultural
monitoring; and
(b) whether the Government would provide insights into the
measures adopted to build human capital in the space sector
including specialized training, research funding and academic
collaborations to cultivate a skilled workforce?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC
GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):
***
(a) to (b) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
***STATEMENT LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN REPLY TO
STARRED QUESTION NO. 144 REGARDING ‘GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
ON FLAGSHIP INITIATIVE’ ASKED BY SMT. PRATIMA MONDAL FOR
ANSWERING ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2025.
(a) Space based inputs are being used in support of several flagship
initiatives of the Government, including Digital India, Smart
Cities Mission, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban
Transformation (AMRUT), Forecasting Agricultural Output using
Space, Agrometeorology and Land-based Observation (FASAL)
(crop acreage assessment and production forecast), CHAMAN
(Coordinated Horticulture Assessment and Management using
Geo-iNformatics) (horticulture management), Mahatma Gandhi
National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), PMKSY-
WDC (Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayi Yojana (Watershed
Development Component), PMGSY, PMFBY, PMAY-HFA, PM
GatiShakti etc.
Bhuvan Geoportal and database of Aadhar enrolment centres,
use of space technology for geocoded postal address system and
Roof-top Photo Voltaic (PV) potential assessment for 60 solar
cities & smart cities have been done to support the Digital India
and Smart Cities Mission.
Very high-resolution satellite data is used for generating urban
geospatial database of AMRUT Cities. Under the FASAL
programme, remote sensing data is used for generating crop
acreage and forecasting the crop production estimations for 11crops. Under CHAMAN programme, horticulture acreage and
production estimation is done for 7 horticulture crops, in addition
to management plans for area expansion, post-harvest
infrastructure etc. For the MGNREGA programme, geospatial
technology is enabled for monitoring the creation of assets and
activities, as well as for planning new assets / activities. Under
the PMKSY-WDC programme geospatial technology is developed
for monitoring the implementation of watershed development
interventions and monitoring the impact of the interventions.
Geoportal and very high-resolution satellite data are utilized for
monitoring the development of rural roads under the PMGSY
programme. Satellite data is being utilized for optimizing the crop
cutting experiments, monitoring crop damage, as well as for
developing crop yield proxies to facilitate faster claim settlement
for farmers, under the PMFBY programme. As part of the PMAY-
HFA programme, geoportal and satellite data are being used to
monitor the stage of construction of houses of beneficiaries.
(b) With respect to research funding and academic collaboration,
ISRO has various research programmes like Sponsored Research
(RESPOND), Space Technology Cell (STC), Regional Academic
Centre for Space (RAC-S), Space Technology Incubation Centre
(STIC), Centre of Excellence (COE) and these programmes aims
to encourage academia to participate and contribute in various
space related activities in space technology, space science and
applications areas to universities/institutions. These programmes
give an exposure to the students on Space Science, Technology& Exploration, which will enable for building human capital in the
space domain.
To equip the next generation of global space enthusiasts and
leaders by imparting a holistic, comprehensive, and
multidisciplinary education in several aspects of space
technologies, policies, space exploration etc, Department of
Space (DoS) has proposed to establish a 'Global Space Institute'
(GSpI), a dedicated global institute would help to promote the
space economy by guiding the incubation of start-ups, space
entrepreneurship, space commercialization and also on possible
avenues on private investment into space sector. The institute is
expected to actively partner with leading academic institutions,
industries, and government agencies, both nationally and
internationally, facilitating the advancement of space technology
education and creating a network of shared knowledge and
resources.
****