The Central Government has announced a series of policy reforms and financial initiatives to strengthen India’s space technology ecosystem, with a focus on encouraging private participation, boosting innovation, and expanding indigenous manufacturing.
The details were shared by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
₹1,500 Crore Support for Space Innovation
To accelerate the growth of India’s space sector, the government has introduced two dedicated funding initiatives.
A ₹1,000 crore Venture Capital Fund will support space startups by helping them scale innovative technologies and business models. In addition, a ₹500 crore Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) has been created to assist in the development, demonstration, and commercialisation of indigenous space technologies.
These initiatives are expected to strengthen India’s startup ecosystem and encourage greater private investment in the space industry.
Greater Access to ISRO Infrastructure
The government has expanded opportunities for Non-Government Entities (NGEs) by allowing greater access to ISRO’s infrastructure and expertise.
Private companies will be able to use ISRO facilities at concessional rates, access technology transfers for commercial applications, receive technical mentoring, and test new technologies through the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) platform.
A new Satellite Bus as a Service (SBaaS) initiative has also been introduced to help Indian companies develop satellite platforms more efficiently and reduce development timelines.
Focus on Manufacturing and Skill Development
To strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities, the Centre is encouraging states to establish dedicated space manufacturing clusters and common testing facilities.
A Technical Centre is also being developed to provide affordable testing, validation, and simulation infrastructure for space technologies.
Alongside infrastructure development, the government is rolling out skill development programmes to prepare a workforce capable of meeting the growing demands of India’s expanding space industry.
Policy Reforms to Attract Investment
The government has also liberalised the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy for the space sector to encourage greater domestic and international investment.
According to the government, the reforms are aimed at creating a more favourable business environment for private companies while promoting long-term technological advancement and industrial growth.
Industry Outreach and Startup Support
The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) is conducting workshops, conferences, webinars, exhibitions, and industry interactions to connect startups, MSMEs, academic institutions, and industry with funding opportunities, regulatory updates, and capacity-building initiatives.
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The government clarified that these programmes are implemented across the country and that beneficiary data is not maintained on a state-wise or gender-wise basis.
Strengthening India’s Space Ecosystem
The latest measures reflect the government’s continued focus on building a globally competitive space ecosystem by combining financial support, policy reforms, industry participation, and access to advanced infrastructure.
Officials believe these initiatives will accelerate innovation, promote indigenous manufacturing, create high-skilled employment opportunities, and further strengthen India’s position as a leading player in the global space sector.