**Executive Summary**
This report outlines the Indian government's initiatives to enhance satellite communication infrastructure and private sector participation in space missions through the 2020 and 2022 reforms. It details the support mechanisms provided by IN-SPACe and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), including R&D funding and technical facilities. A significant mandate requires GMPCS licensees to achieve 20% indigenization of their ground segments within five years of starting commercial operations.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Regulatory and Space Sector Reforms**
* **Satellite Communication Reforms-2022:** Implemented by the DoT to streamline processes, rationalize charges, and improve the ease of doing business.
* **2020 Space Sector Reforms:** Enabled Non-Government Entities (NGEs) to build, lease, own, and operate satellite systems for providing services.
* **IN-SPACe Oversight:** Established the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) as an autonomous agency to promote and supervise private sector space activities.
**Support for Private Entities (NGEs)**
* **Infrastructure and Funding:** Implementation of the Seed Fund Scheme, Technical Centres, and Design Labs specifically for NGEs.
* **Resource Access:** Provision of ISRO facility utilization support and technology transfer to private entities.
* **Digital Integration:** Creation of the IN-SPACe Digital Platform to connect stakeholders within the space ecosystem.
* **Skill Development:** Focused initiatives for skill development and training within the space sector.
**Research and Development (R&D)**
* **TTDF Scheme:** The Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) was launched to fund R&D in communication technologies.
* **Collaboration:** Encourages partnerships between academia, start-ups, research institutes, and industry to enhance the telecom ecosystem.
* **Advanced Technology:** Specific focus on supporting the development of advanced antenna systems.
**Indigenization Requirements**
* **Ground Segment Target:** Instructions issued on May 5, 2025, mandate that Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite Service (GMPCS) licensees aim for at least 20% indigenization of their ground segments.
* **Compliance Timeline:** This 20% target must be met within five years of the commencement of commercial operations.
**Impact Analysis**
**Non-Government Entities (NGEs) and Private Sector**
**Impact**
NGEs now have the legal framework to own and operate satellite systems and access government-funded labs, seed funds, and ISRO facilities.
**Action Required**
Engage with the IN-SPACe Digital Platform and utilize available schemes (Seed fund, Design Lab) to build or lease satellite infrastructure.
**GMPCS Licensees (under Unified License)**
**Impact**
These entities are now subject to specific domestic sourcing requirements for their satellite network ground segments.
**Action Required**
Develop a procurement and manufacturing strategy to ensure at least 20% indigenization of the ground segment within five years of starting commercial operations.
**Academia, Start-ups, and Research Institutes**
**Impact**
These stakeholders have gained access to financial support for R&D through the TTDF Scheme.
**Action Required**
Collaborate with industry and research bodies to apply for TTDF funding and focus on developing advanced communication technologies like antenna systems.
Key Entities Referenced
Satellite Communication Reforms-2022: A set of reforms implemented by the Department of Telecommunications to facilitate ease-of-doing business and streamline processes for satellite services.
Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe): An autonomous nodal agency established to promote, hand-hold, and oversee private sector participation in space activities.
Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) Scheme: A scheme launched to fund research and development in communication technologies, including advanced antenna systems.
Space Sector reforms, 2020: Policy reforms that enabled non-government entities to build, own, and operate satellite systems for providing satellite-based services.
Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite Service (GMPCS) authorization: A specific service authorization under the Unified License which requires a minimum of 20% indigenization of ground segment infrastructure.
Ministry of Communications
Satellite Communication Infrastructure and
support to Space Missions
Posted On: 25 MAR 2026 5:23PM by PIB Delhi
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 Authorization 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.
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.
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.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Dr.
Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
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