• India’s space programme gained renewed public attention in 2025-26 due to major milestones such as an Indian astronaut interacting with the Prime Minister from the International Space Station, progress in Gaganyaan, rapid growth of private space startups, and the articulation of a long-term vision for India’s space leadership during Amrit Kaal.

India’s Space Programme:

• India’s space programme, led by Indian Space Research Organisation, has evolved from a mission-oriented scientific effort into a people-centric national capability that supports governance, economy, security, and global cooperation.

Evolution through key missions:

• Chandrayaan-1 (2008) confirmed the presence of water molecules on the Moon.
• Chandrayaan-2 (2019) mapped the Moon in high precision and prepared technology for future landings.
• Chandrayaan-3 (2023) made India the first country to soft-land near the lunar south pole.
• Mars Orbiter Mission (2014) made India the first Asian country to reach Mars orbit and the only one to do so on its maiden attempt.
• Aditya-L1 studies the Sun’s corona and space weather.
• XPoSat (2024) studies black holes and extreme cosmic phenomena.
• SpaDeX successfully demonstrated in-orbit docking, a key capability for future space stations.

India has also launched over 400 foreign satellites, making it a trusted and cost-effective global launch partner.

Why Does India’s Space Programme Matters?

• Builds national capability and pride by placing India among leading spacefaring nations.
• Supports daily governance, including disaster management, weather forecasting, fisheries advisories, crop assessment, railway safety, and infrastructure planning under PM Gati Shakti.
• Strengthens strategic autonomy in a critical frontier involving communication, navigation, and surveillance.
• Inspires youth and STEM education, creating a pipeline of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
• Drives economic growth, innovation, and employment through the expanding space economy.
• Space in India has moved from being a scientific luxury to a democratic public utility.

How is India Expanding its Space Capability?

1. Human Spaceflight and Exploration Roadmap

• Gaganyaan aims to send Indian astronauts to space by 2027, with an approved outlay of ₹20,000+ crore.
• Four Indian Air Force test pilots are undergoing astronaut training.
• India plans to build a Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035 and achieve an Indian human Moon landing by 2040.

2. Policy and Institutional Expansion

• The government has opened the space sector to private players, leading to 350+ startups working on satellites, launch vehicles, and downstream services.
• India’s space budget increased from ₹5,615 crore (2013-14) to ₹13,416 crore (2025-26), with an additional ₹5,000 crore in user funds.

3. Economic and Technological Push

• India’s space economy is valued at $8 billion, projected to grow to $44 billion.
• Focus areas include semi-cryogenic engines, electric propulsion, quantum communication, in-orbit servicing, robotics, and autonomy.
• The government has set a target of five space unicorns and scaling launches to 50 per year.

4. Youth and Skill Development

• Hosting the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (2025) with participation from 60+ countries.
• Initiatives like ISRO Robotics Challenge and Bharatiya Antariksh Hackathon connect students directly with space technology.

Implications

• Governance: Better disaster preparedness, climate monitoring, and infrastructure planning.
• Economy: Job creation, startup growth, and export opportunities in high-tech sectors.
• Security: Enhanced surveillance, communication, and strategic deterrence.
• Global standing: India emerges as a reliable space partner and norm- shaper.
• Society: Greater scientific temper and aspiration among youth.

Challenges

• High cost of space missions and technological complexity     
• Shortage of skilled manpower in advanced space technologies
• Intense global competition in launch services and satellite markets
• Requirement of sustained and predictable funding for long-term goals
• Need for better coordination across multiple missions, users, and agencies

Way Forward

• Strengthen public-private partnerships and promote indigenous manufacturing to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
• Expand specialised training programmes, deepen collaboration between universities and ISRO, and invest in long-term skill development.
• Focus on India’s strength in low-cost, high-reliability missions and continuously improve launch frequency and success rates.
• Implement a clear 15-year integrated space roadmap aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 to ensure mission synergy.
• Encourage commercial revenues, user-based services, private investment, and international collaboration to supplement government funding.

Conclusion

• India’s space programme has transformed into a people-centric national mission that combines science, development, security, and inspiration. As India enters Amrit Kaal, its space journey reflects growing confidence, global leadership, and the belief that the future belongs not just to rockets and satellites, but to citizens empowered by them.