Around 440 space-technology startups are registered in India and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has granted 113 authorisations to 52 non-government entities (NGEs), the government told the Rajya Sabha this week.
Authorisations and private participation
The Ministry of Atomic Energy and Space, in a written reply, said that of the 52 NGEs cleared by IN-SPACe to undertake space activities, 18 are startups. These include several firms already known in the private space ecosystem: Agnikul Cosmos Pvt Ltd, Bellatrix Aerospace Pvt Ltd, Dhruva Space Private Limited, PixxelSpace India Private Limited, Skyroot Aerospace Private Limited and others.
Applications for using Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) infrastructure — including launch pads at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota — are processed through IN-SPACe's digital platform. Readiness for such access is evaluated by an expert committee constituted by IN-SPACe, the reply said.
Launch plans and commercial activity
The government said two commercial rockets by Indian private firms are proposed to be launched in the financial year 2026-27. The launch manifest for 2027-28 has not yet been approved by IN-SPACe. Officials indicated that over six launches by Indian private companies could take place, signalling a step-up in commercial launch activity from the domestic industry.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Registered space-tech startups (approx.) | 440 |
| IN-SPACe authorisations | 113 to 52 NGEs |
| Startups among authorised NGEs | 18 |
| Private investment in space sector (FY 2021-22) | $100.5 million |
| Private investment by March 31, 2026 | $618.5 million ($187 million in 2026 alone) |
Investment and policy background
Government figures cited in the reply show a near six-fold rise in private capital flowing into the Indian space sector, from $100.5 million in 2021-22 to $618.5 million by March 31, 2026. The data also records $187 million of private investment during 2026 alone.
The growth follows a policy shift by the Union Cabinet in June 2020 that opened the space sector to private participation and established the institutional framework to authorise and promote private activity in space. IN-SPACe was set up to be the single-window regulator and facilitation body to bridge government and private efforts.
What this means for Indian users and industry
- More authorised private players can accelerate satellite manufacturing and reduce dependence on traditional suppliers, potentially lowering costs for Indian businesses and government agencies that purchase space services.
- Access to ISRO infrastructure, subject to IN-SPACe approvals, may shorten time-to-orbit for private satellites, helping startups scale operations and offer competitive launch services.
- Rising private investment — but still measured in global terms — suggests growing investor confidence; however, capital must be matched by sustainable business models if firms are to survive beyond initial contracts and demonstration launches.
While the numbers reflect a maturing ecosystem, challenges remain: developing reliable, repeatable launch capability at scale, ensuring regulatory clarity on export controls and frequency allocation, and building a supply chain for components and propulsion systems within India.
IN-SPACe's clearance process and the expert committee reviews are critical gatekeepers for using national facilities and will shape how rapidly private firms convert authorisations into operational launches. The government's published intent and the rising investment both indicate that India's private space sector is moving out of the incubation phase and into a more commercial era, but execution risk persists.
Policy continuity and targeted support for manufacturing, testing and human resources will determine whether the current momentum translates into a globally competitive private space industry that delivers affordable services to Indian users.
