Parliament Question: Satellite Communication Infrastructure and Support to Space Missions

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5323 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25TH MARCH, 2026 SATELLITE COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUPPORT TO SPACE MISSIONS 5323. SHRI ATUL GARG: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE: SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE: SHRI RAVINDRA DATTARAM WAIKAR: SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL: DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: SMT. BHARTI PARDHI: Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has undertaken initiatives to strengthen satellite communication infrastructure and ground segment capabilities to support India’s space missions and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the same; (b) whether measures have been introduced to develop and deploy advanced antenna systems and communication technologies for satellite tracking, telemetry and data reception and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the same; (c) whether steps have been taken to promote indigenous development and deployment of satellite communication and ground station infrastructure and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the same; (d) whether collaboration with industry stakeholders has been encouraged to enhance technological capabilities and operational efficiency in space communication systems and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the same; and (e) the manner in which these initiatives are expected to strengthen India’s space communication network, satellite mission support and technological self-reliance? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR) (a) Department of Telecommunications announced and implemented Satellite Communication Reforms-2022 to facilitate the ease-of-doing business, streamlining a number of processes and rationalizing various charges. Also, the Space Sector reforms announced in 2020, enable larger participation of Non- Government Entities (NGEs) for building/leasing, owning and operating the satellite systems for providing satellite-based services. The Government of India, as part of its 2020 space sector reforms, established an autonomous nodal agency, namely Indian National Space Promotion and 1Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) under Department of Space (DOS), to promote and oversee private sector participation in space activities. Various measures to encourage and hand hold private sector have been announced and implemented by IN-SPACe, such as Seed fund Scheme, Technical Centre, Design Lab for NGEs, Skill Development in Space Sector, ISRO facility utilisation support, Technology Transfer to NGEs, creation of IN-SPACe Digital Platform to connect with all the stakeholders of space ecosystem etc. It is envisaged that the infrastructure created will also support the space missions. (b) to (d) Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has launched the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) Scheme to promote and fund research and development (R&D) in communication technologies, fostering collaboration between academia, start-ups, research institutes, and industry to enhance the telecom ecosystem in India. This is also likely to support development of advanced antenna systems. To encourage indigenization, Department of Telecommunications issued instructions on 05.05.2025 which inter-alia, includes that the licensee having Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite Service (GMPCS) authorization under Unified License (UL), will aim at indigenisation to a level of at least 20% of their ground segment of the satellite network that is established at the end of 5 years post the date of launch of commercial operations. (e) It is envisaged that these initiatives will enhance the diffusion of space technology and strengthen the space sector infrastructure including space communication network, satellite mission support and technological self-reliance. ***** 2