Private Space Sector Attracts $187 Million Investment in 2026; 108 Authorisations Issued: Centre
New Delhi, July 29(TNT): India’s private space sector has attracted investments worth $187 million in 2026 so far, while the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has granted 108 authorisations to non-government entities (NGEs) for various space activities, the Centre informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
In a written reply, Union Minister of State for Space Dr. Jitendra Singh said the authorisations cover activities such as the establishment and operation of satellites and payloads, and the launch of space transportation systems.
He said IN-SPACe’s Norms, Guidelines and Procedures (NGP) for implementing the Indian Space Policy-2023 provide for evaluating applications to safeguard strategic, security and national interests while enabling private participation. The agency is also preparing safety and security guidelines for space activities in consultation with stakeholders.
The Union minister said the government has undertaken several initiatives to promote private investment and startups in the space sector, including the implementation of the Indian Space Policy-2023, a liberalised foreign direct investment (FDI) policy and simplified authorisation procedures.
Among the major measures announced are a ₹1,000-crore Venture Capital Fund, a ₹500-crore Technology Adoption Fund to support commercialisation of indigenous space technologies, the IN-SPACe Seed Fund Scheme, discounted access to ISRO facilities, technology transfer, skill development programmes and affordable testing infrastructure through the proposed IN-SPACe Technical Centre.
Dr. Singh said 17 startups have so far received authorisation to undertake various space activities.
The government has also introduced initiatives such as the Satellite Bus as a Service (SBaaS) programme, access to the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) for technology validation and support for setting up dedicated space manufacturing clusters by state governments to strengthen the domestic space ecosystem.
The Union minister said the liberalisation of the space sector, coupled with policy reforms, infrastructure development, access to capital, technology transfer, skill development, demand generation and international collaborations, is aimed at increasing India’s share in the global space economy.
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