**Executive Summary**
This document answers Unstarred Question No. 1665 in the Lok Sabha on December 10, 2025, regarding private participation in the space sector. It details the steps taken by the Government of India since the Space Sector Reforms announced in 2020 to encourage private participation. It also covers actions and initiatives taken by IN-SPACE, Department of Space, to promote private sector involvement.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Government Initiatives (Post-2020 Reforms):**
* The Indian Space Policy, 2023 was created, which defines the roles and responsibilities for stakeholders within the space domain.
* A liberalized and investor-friendly Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy was introduced to promote international investments, technology transfers, and collaborative research in the space sector.
* Investment schemes like the IN-SPACE Seed Fund Scheme, Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) Scheme, and Rs. 1000 Cr Venture capital fund were launched.
* **IN-SPACE Actions/Initiatives:**
* 'Decadal Vision and Strategy for the Development of the Indian Space Economy' was released to guide India's space industry.
* Promotion and Investment Schemes such as Preincubation Entrepreneurship, Seed Fund, Technology Adoption Fund, and 1000 Cr Venture capital fund are in place.
* Price Support Policy was implemented for Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) to provide facility and technical support, access to ISRO data, satellite launch services, technology transfer, and design lab usage.
* Facilitated transfer of ISRO technologies to Indian Industry.
* Authorised 110 space activities by Indian NGEs and Government.
* IN-SPACE facilitated more than 600 applications from various NGEs for authorization, technology transfer, test facility support, mentorship, promotional activities, etc.
* Actively engaging NGEs with global space organizations to promote private sector collaboration.
* A "Catalogue of Indian Standards for Space Industry" was created.
* Eleven skill development courses were conceptualized.
* An orbital slot was assigned to one of the NGEs.
* A dedicated Technical Centre was set up in Ahmedabad to support NGEs.
* Two successful sub-orbital flights were facilitated from Indian space start-ups.
* Six NGEs have launched nineteen satellites.
* Established centre of excellence “Antakrish Prayogshala" across the country at academic institutions.
* Announced and selected consortium for a ₹1,200 crore Public-Private Partnership.
* IN-SPACE has signed an MOU with Government of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka.
* **Numbers and Statistics**
* 110 Authorizations, 95 Joint Project & Implementation Plan (JPIP) signed.
* 7 NGEs have been supported through Seed Fund Scheme.
* SSLV Technology has been transferred to HAL.
* 700 individuals got benefitted through skill development courses.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Indian Space Start-ups (M/s. Skyroot and M/s. Agnikul)**
* **Impact:** Facilitation of sub-orbital flights, leading to increased visibility and validation of their technologies.
* **Action Required:** Continue to innovate and develop space technologies, leveraging IN-SPACE support.
**Stakeholder: Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs)**
* **Impact:** Increased opportunities for participation in space activities through authorization, funding schemes, and technical support.
* **Action Required:** Engage with IN-SPACE, apply for support programs, and adhere to the "Catalogue of Indian Standards for Space Industry".
**Stakeholder: Indian Industry**
* **Impact:** Access to ISRO technologies and opportunities for collaboration.
* **Action Required:** Explore technology transfer opportunities, engage in joint projects, and leverage government support for space-grade manufacturing.
**Stakeholder: HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited)**
* **Impact:** Access to SSLV Technology.
* **Action Required:** Leverage technology transfer of SSLV to support operations and develop the Space sector.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Space Policy, 2023: Defines the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders within the space domain.
IN-SPACE: The entity through which Department of Space is implementing initiatives to encourage private sector participation in the space domain. Headquarters located in Ahmedabad.
Space Sector Reforms announced in 2020: A set of reforms that aims to encourage private participation in the space domain.
Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) Policy: A liberalised and investor-friendly FDI Policy was announced for the space sector.
ISRO: The Indian Space Research Organisation, which is collaborating with IN-SPACE and providing support to Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF SPACE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1665
TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 10 DECEMBER, 2025
PRIVATE PARTICIPATION IN SPACE
1665. SHRI KRISHNA PRASAD TENNETI:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken concrete steps to
encourage private participation in the space domain in line
with the reforms announced in 2020;
(b) if so, the details of the actions taken during last four years;
and
(c) the details of the numbers of industries that have been
promoted?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC
GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):
****
(a) & (b)
Yes Sir, Pursuant to Space Sector Reforms announced in 2020,
the Government of India has taken the following steps to
encourage private participation in the space domain:i. Brought out Indian Space Policy, 2023 defining roles and
responsibilities of all stakeholders within space domain
ii. A liberalised and investor friendly Foreign Direct
Investments (FDI) Policy was announced by the
Government for the space sector to accelerate and
promote International Investments, Technology transfers,
and Collaborative research opportunities.
iii. Investment Schemes such as i) IN-SPACe Seed Fund
Scheme, ii) Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) Scheme and
iii) Rs.1000 Cr Venture capital fund, are brought out.
Further, IN-SPACe, Department of Space has taken the following
actions/initiatives to encourage the private sector participation
in the space domain:
i. ‘Decadal Vision and Strategy for the Development of the
Indian Space Economy’, a strategic document has been
brought out to steer India's space industry and economic
prospects in the next decade.
ii. Promotion and Investment Schemes such as Preincubation
Entrepreneurship, Seed Fund, Technology Adoption Fund,
and 1000 Cr Venture capital fund are in place.
iii. To support the Non-Governmental Entities (NGE’s), Price
Support Policy has been implemented for facility support &
technical support from ISRO; access to Earth Observation
(EO) data of ISRO satellites & data products; Satellite
Launch services, Technology Transfer and Design Lab
usage.
iv. Facilitated transfer of ISRO technologies to Indian Industry.v. Authorised 110 space activities by Indian NGEs and
Government.
vi. More than 600 applications from various NGEs facilitated
through IN-SPACe for extending support for Authorisation,
Technology Transfer, Test Facility support, mentorship,
promotional activities, etc.
vii. Actively engaging NGEs with global space organizations
including MNC’s and space agencies to promote the private
space sector and drive collaboration among Indian and
foreign NGE’s.
viii. IN-SPACe in collaboration with ISRO and Bureau of Indian
Standards (BIS), brought out a “Catalogue of Indian
Standards for Space Industry”. These standards create a
robust, comprehensive framework that enhances the
quality, safety, and efficiency of the space systems being
developed by the NGE’s.
ix. A total of 11 Skill development courses have been
conceptualised covering the spectrum of space sector.
More than 700 individuals got benefitted through these
activities.
x. An orbital slot has been assigned to one of the NGEs to
bring their satellite for extending communication services.
xi. A dedicated Technical Centre has been set up at IN-SPACe
Headquarters, Ahmedabad to facilitate and support NGE’s.
xii. IN-SPACe has facilitated two successful sub-orbital flights
from Indian space start-ups viz., M/s. Skyroot and
M/s. Agnikul in November 2022 and May 2024.
xiii. Six NGE’s have launched nineteen satellites in orbit,
demonstrating their capabilities in orbit.xiv. Establishing centre of excellence “Antakrish Prayogshala”
across the country at academic institutions.
xv. Announced and selected consortium for a ₹1,200 crore
Public-Private Partnership to build India’s first entirely
commercial EO satellite constellation.
xvi. IN-SPACe has signed an MOU with Government of Gujarat,
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and also partnering with other state
government to establish dedicated space-manufacturing
clusters across India, focusing on developing a robust
ecosystem for manufacturing space-grade components.
(c) IN-SPACe has issued 110 Authorisations, 95 Joint Project &
Implementation Plan (JPIP) signed, facilitated transfer of various
ISRO technologies to Indian Industry and 7 NGEs have been
supported through Seed Fund Scheme. In addition, SSLV
Technology has been transferred to HAL and around 700
individuals got benefitted through skill development courses.
****