Lok Sabha Question No. 4347 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Cooperation with Private Sector in Space Development
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Shri N K Premachandran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4347

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2025

## COOPERATION WITH PRIVATE SECTOR IN SPACE DEVELOPMENT

4347.  SHRI N K PREMCHANDRAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  cooperate  with  private sector in space development, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government has entered into any agreement with private  sector  for  space  development  and  to  associate  with space research and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) the  details  of  development  sectors  in  which  the  Government has associated with private parties in space development;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  examined  the  credibility  of private partners for entering into agreement to associate with space research and development and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the system/criteria fixed for the service and their experience in space research?

## ANSWER GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

****

- (a) Yes  Sir,  IN-SPACe  has  taken  steps  for  establishing  indigenous Earth Observation System through Non-Government Entities (NGEs) under Public Private Partnership (PPP). IN-SPACe  is working  towards  Technology  Transfer  of  Small  Satellite  Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to NGEs.

The Government collaborates with the private sector to advance space  development,  driving  innovation,  economic  growth,  and technology adoption. IN-SPACe, under its 'Decadal Vision,' promotes indigenous space products through Space Applications Adoption Workshops (SAAW), fostering awareness, collaboration, and real-world applications. Since September 2024, six workshops have  targeted  key  sectors  like  North  Eastern  Region  (NER), agriculture, defense, and disaster management and with state of Assam.  These  workshops,  in  partnership  with  the  Indian  space industry, showcase homegrown capabilities and expand the space economy.

NewSpace  India  Limited  (NSIL),  a  CPSE  under  Department  of Space and the Commercial arm of ISRO has been engaging with private sector in various domains of space related activities, viz., launch vehicles, satellites, ground segment and applications.

In  the  area  of  satellite  building,  NSIL  has  onboarded  Indian industries for building Earth Observation Satellites.

In  the  area  of  ground  segment  and  applications,  NSIL  as  an implementing agency is realizing and commissioning 1 lakh fishing vessel  monitoring  system  as  part  of  Pradhan  Mantri  Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) Project through Indian industry.

- (b) IN-SPACe has signed 75 -Transfer of Technology (ToT) Agreements as on 31.12.2024 with NGEs for space sector.

NSIL  as  on  date  signed  about  78  Agreements  with  Indian industries for Transfer of ISRO's Technologies.

In  the  area  of  launch  vehicles,  NSIL  has  signed  a  contract  with M/s. HAL (lead partner of HAL and L&T Consortium) for end-to-end manufacturing of 5 nos. of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV). This is the first time that launch vehicle is being fully realized by Indian industry.

- (c) Indian industry has been the back bone for the space programme since its inception. Indian industry has reached a matured level of self-sufficiency to produce materials, components  and  sub-systems  for  both  launch  vehicle  and satellites.  Many  products  are  successfully  developed  and realized  through  industries  for  the  Indian  space  programme, which are used for launch vehicle, satellites, ground systems and applications area.
- (d) Evaluation credentials of private industry is carried out through established mechanisms like Purchase Order including technology developmental orders for various space systems of ISRO,  Contract,  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU)  and
- Technology Transfer. Before engaging an industry, ISRO scrutinizes their credibility and technical expertise with respect to requirements. (e) There is no specific service/ experience fixed for assessing the credibility  of  the  industry.  Depending  upon  the  requirements, technical expertise, technical infrastructure/ laboratories, quality  management,  financial  strength  of  the  industry  and similar  products  developed  are  assessed  as  part  of  technocommercial evaluation. In certain cases, field assessment of the  industry  is  also  followed  to  understand  their  technical capability.

****