**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Government's response to Unstarred Question No. 1786 in Lok Sabha, regarding technology transfer agreements by the Department of Space. It clarifies the role of NSIL and IN-SPACe in technology transfer to non-governmental entities and private firms. The response addresses concerns about transparency, disclosure of information, and adherence to the RTI Act, with a date of December 10, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Technology Transfer Agreements:**
* NSIL has signed 70 Technology Transfer Agreements to transfer ISRO-developed technologies to Industry.
* Technology transfer is undertaken through Technology Transfer Agreements (TTAs) and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs).
* **Transparency and Disclosure:**
* NSIL furnishes names and details of Indian industries to which ISRO technologies have been transferred, as per RTI Act requests.
* Certain information is publicly accessible on ISRO/DoS websites (U R Rao Satellite Centre, IN-SPACe, and NSIL) and through media publications.
* NSIL is committed to transparency and adherence to Suo-moto disclosure under RTI Act, 2005.
* Information relating to technology transfer to NGEs and private sector entities is available on NSIL's website.
* **Oversight and Review:**
* NSIL has an independent oversight mechanism to ensure fairness and transparency in technology transfers.
* All technology transfer requests are reviewed by a Technology Transfer Committee.
* **Information Exempt from Disclosure:**
* Certain commercially sensitive and/or strategic information (terms and payments, copies of agreements) is exempt from disclosure under Section 8(1)(d) of the RTI Act, 2005.
* **Roles:**
* IN-SPACe is the facilitator
* NSIL is the licensor.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Private companies seeking ISRO Technology**
* **Impact:** The private entities can access ISRO technologies through NSIL's Technology Transfer Agreements (TTAs).
* **Action Required:** Entities must apply to the NSIL with all technology transfer requests, understanding that certain details are subject to NDAs.
**Stakeholder: General Public/Citizens**
* **Impact:** Certain information is accessible publicly through ISRO/DoS websites.
* **Action Required:** Refer to websites of ISRO/DoS for accessible information on technology transfers; request information not publicly available through the RTI Act, noting that some information is exempt.
**Stakeholder: NSIL**
* **Impact:** NSIL is responsible for managing the technology transfer process, ensuring fairness, and compliance with the RTI Act.
* **Action Required:** NSIL must continue to adhere to the requirements of the RTI Act, maintain transparency in technology transfers, and publish relevant information.
Key Entities Referenced
Right to Information Act, 2005: Indian legislation related to citizen's right to information; Section 4 is referenced regarding suo-motu disclosure.
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL): Commercial arm of ISRO responsible for technology transfer, main organization involved in technology transfer agreements.
Indian Space Policy, 2023: Policy framework under which private firms are authorized for space activities and technology transfers are occurring.
Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe): Authority involved in space activities and technology transfers. Facilitator for technology transfer, interacts with NSIL.
Department of Space: Government department overseeing space activities in India, responsible for NSIL and IN-SPACe.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF SPACE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1786
TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 10 DECEMBER, 2025
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERRED AGREEMENT
1786. SHRI RAJA RAM SINGH:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that Department of Space
through NSIL and IN-SPACe has signed technology transfer
agreements with over 75 Non-Government entitles (NGEs) and
authorised fifty six (56) private firms under the Indian Space
Policy, 2023;
(b) whether IN-SPACe has refused to disclose the names of
private companies to which ISRO technologies have been
transferred, citing Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA) and if so,
the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government considers it acceptable to hide the
identity of private beneficiaries of publicly funded research,
especially when public money has been used to develop such
space technologies and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether this practice violates the principles of suo-motu
disclosure under Section 4 of the RTI Act and undermines the
citizen’s right to information and if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether any independent oversight or audit mechanism exists
to assess the fairness and transparency of such transfersespecially where NDAs are invoked to block public scrutiny
and if so, the details thereof; and
(f) whether the Government will now direct IN-SPACe and NSIL to
publish the list of private entities along with terms and
payments made, in the public interest as required under law?
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) & (b)
As on date, M/s. NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) has signed 70
Technology Transfer Agreements to transfer technologies
developed at ISRO to Industry. Technology transfer by ISRO to
Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs)/ Private industries are
undertaken through Technology Transfer Agreements (TTAs)
and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). These agreements
contain explicit confidentiality clauses to protect
commercially sensitive information. However, NSIL has
furnished the names and details of the Indian Industries to
which technologies developed by ISRO have been transferred,
pursuant to requests under the RTI Act. Certain information is
also publicly accessible on the official websites of ISRO/ DoS
viz., U R Rao Satellite Centre, Indian National Space Promotion
and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) and NSIL, while some
details are disseminated through media publications also. It isto mention that IN-SPACe is the facilitator whereas NSIL is the
actual licensor.
(c) NSIL is committed to transparency and adherence to the
principles of Suo-moto disclosure under RTI Act, 2005. In
accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of the Act,
information relating to technology transfer to Non-
Governmental Entities (NGEs) and private sector entities
including guidelines, technologies available for transfer etc.,
are available on the website of NSIL.
(d) NSIL had independent oversight mechanism to ensure fairness
and transparency in technology transfers, including those
governed by NDAs. All technology transfer requests are
reviewed by a Technology Transfer Committee. These
measures ensure that all technology transfers are conducted
in a transparent, fair and accountable manner.
(e) & (f)
NSIL, as a public authority under the Right to Information Act,
2005 is committed to transparency and disclosure of
information as mandated by law. The necessary details
pertaining to Technology Transfer is being periodically
updated in website. However, certain information requested,
namely terms and payments, copies of agreements, is
considered commercially sensitive and/ or strategic.
Accordingly, this information is exempt from disclosure under
Section 8(1)(d) of the RTI Act, 2005.
****