New Delhi: The collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the private sector is charting the future course of India’s ambitious space programme, according to Minister of State for Space Jitendra Singh. He asserted that the increasing involvement of private industry is allowing ISRO to concentrate on complex, frontier missions while the commercial sector concurrently boosts manufacturing and launch capabilities.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the remarks came amid a political debate, with the Congress party accusing the government of pursuing an aggressive privatisation agenda in the space sector. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had claimed that the government was undermining ISRO’s capabilities, a charge strongly refuted by Minister Singh.
Minister Singh rejected the criticism, stating that India’s space programme is not being curtailed but rather is being significantly scaled up. He highlighted that ISRO is increasingly dedicating its resources to pioneering missions such as Gaganyaan, India’s human spaceflight programme, Chandrayaan-4, the development of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, and future exploratory missions to the Moon, Venus, and Mars.
In a statement posted on X, Singh elaborated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s space sector has experienced a global ascent. He described the current phase as a natural evolution where the predominantly government-led programme is now integrating ISRO, private industries, and space startups into a comprehensive ecosystem. He emphasized that to meet an ambitious target of 50 launches annually, the private industry is essential for large-scale manufacturing, while ISRO will focus on developing next-generation technologies and undertaking advanced missions.
The minister accused critics of attempting to diminish India’s achievements in space and sowing doubt about its progress. He pointed to the substantial growth in the space sector, noting that the number of foreign satellites launched by ISRO has surged from 35 prior to 2014 to 430 in the present day. Furthermore, he stated that the number of space startups has grown to approximately 440, a significant increase from just a handful in 2014.
Citing a recent success, Singh referred to Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 rocket achieving orbit on July 18, marking the first privately developed Indian rocket to do so. He outlined the multifaceted requirements for India to achieve its goal of a USD 44 billion space economy, which includes ISRO’s research in advanced technologies, private rocket and satellite manufacturing facilities, dedicated integration and testing infrastructure, commercially operated launch sites, and a robust supply chain.
Singh clarified that Sriharikota will continue to be the primary hub for ISRO’s major launch vehicles like PSLV and LVM3, as well as human spaceflight missions. He added that a new launch site at Kulasekarapattinam is being developed to cater to the expanding small-satellite launch market. He stressed that the model is not one of competition between ISRO and private industry but rather a synergistic approach where both entities work together, jointly authoring the next chapter of India’s space exploration narrative.
Defending the government’s reforms, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari highlighted how the opening up of the space sector has empowered private companies and startups to transition from mere suppliers to becoming developers of rockets, satellites, and complete space systems. He described this shift as an expansion of India’s space ambitions rather than a weakening of ISRO’s foundational legacy.
Bhandari provided statistics indicating a significant rise in private investment, growing from USD 100.5 million in 2021-22 to an estimated USD 618.5 million by March 2026. He also noted that NewSpace India Limited’s revenue has increased from Rs 321.77 crore in 2021-22 to approximately Rs 3,000 crore in 2024-25.
He referenced Chandrayaan-3’s successful soft landing near the Moon’s south polar region and the development of the LVM3 and SSLV rockets as pivotal achievements underscoring India’s progress in space technology. Bhandari concluded that the Modi government’s reforms are built upon the formidable technological foundation laid by ISRO over decades, fostering the growth of ISRO, private industry, startups, and investment collectively.
The Chenab Times News Desk