GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF SPACE
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 539
TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 01, 2026
SPACE-BASED APPLICATIONS FOR SC COMMUNITIES
*539. DR. D RAVI KUMAR:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) whether space-based applications are used for welfare of
Scheduled Caste communities and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether awareness programmes exist at the...
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 539 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 01, 2026 SPACE-BASED APPLICATIONS FOR SC COMMUNITIES *539. DR. D RAVI KUMAR:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) whether space-based applications are used for welfare of Scheduled Caste communities and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether awareness programmes exist at the grassroot level and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether benefits reach SC farmers, students and disaster- prone areas; and
(d) if so, the steps taken by the Government to ensure inclusive use of space technology? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):
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(a) to (d) 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. 539 REGARDING ‘SPACE-BASED APPLICATIONS FOR SC COMMUNITIES’ ASKED BY DR. D RAVI KUMAR FOR ANSWERING ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 01, 2026.
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(a) Yes. ISRO has developed and operationalised a wide range of space-based applications, which are benefitting all communities in the society, including the welfare of Scheduled Caste community. Some of the major space application areas include satellite-based Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ), crop acreage and production forecasting; agromet advisories for farmers; crop insurance support, geospatial support for flagship Government programmes, tele-education, tele-medicine, Vessel Communication & Support System, disaster management supports etc.
(b) Yes. ISRO has established robust awareness and capacity- building programmes on use of space technology for the societal, governance and disaster management support, benefiting decision makers to operate at the grassroot level.
These awareness initiatives are designed to be inclusive and are accessible to all targeted citizens across the country.
(c) The benefits of the Earth Observation, Satellite Communication, Navigation applications in terms of improved connectivity and navigation information reaches SC farmers, students and disaster-prone areas who are within the coverage area of satellite.(d) The Department has taken several steps for inclusive use of space technology viz., implementation of different flagship initiatives like Digital India, BharatNet Programme, Vessel Communication & Support System (VCSS) project under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and PM e- VIDYA scheme for tele-education etc.
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