Lok Sabha Question No. 451 (STARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Space Startups
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Shri Shankar Lalwani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE LOK SABHA

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 02, 2025

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 451 SPACE STARTUPS

*451. SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  number  of  Indian  Space  startups  is  increasing year after year and many more startups are showing interest in exploring the said sector;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  launch  any  special Startup Incentive Programme;
- (c) the  details  of  the  seed  funding  and  other  features  related  to the said field; and
- (d)
- the number of startups supported so far?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

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- (a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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O.I.H.

STATEMENT LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN REPLY TO STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  451  REGARDING  'SPACE  STARTUPS' ASKED BY SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI FOR ANSWERING ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 02, 2025.

(a) & (b)

Yes Sir, the number of Indian Space startups is increasing year after year and many more Startups are showing interest in exploring the said sector & IN-SPACe has following space start-ups encouragement programs/schemes:

1. IN-SPACe Seed fund scheme provide initial finance assistance to the  Indian  space  start-ups  with  novel  concept.  This  scheme enables  these  start-ups  to  demonstrate  the  novel  idea  and graduate to next level. A maximum grant of Rs. 1 Crore would be provided to selected start-up on milestone basis in three or more instalments.
2. Under  IN-SPACe  differential pricing policy discounted price support is provided to space start-ups for availing/utilizing various facilities of DOS/ISRO, Technology Transfer and launch services.
3. IN-SPACe aims to foster the commercialization in space system by promoting NGEi (NGE under Indian Management and Control) to develop space products which in turn shall lead to scaling up the  productionisation  to  meet  the  Global  and  Domestic  Space Sector  demands.  As  part  of  this  endeavor,  the  Technology Adoption  Fund  (TAF),  a  funding  scheme  designed  to  promote innovation and drive the commercialization of cutting-edge technologies in the space sector has been instituted.
4. Apart from the above, mentorship support to space start-ups is also provided along with skill development programs in relevant space area.

(c) The  IN-SPACe  Seed  Fund  scheme  is  designed  to  support  space start-ups  and  micro  &  small  industries  (MSEs),  those  aims  to  develop innovative space products and services. Eligible applicants include earlystage start-ups and micro & small industries (MSEs) with innovative ideas and projects that use space technology to address up-stream/ mid-stream and  down-stream  challenges  in  the  Space  Sector.  The  seed  fund  will provide financial support to selected applicants to help them bring their ideas to life and get their projects off the ground. This support will include access to funding, mentorship, training, and networking opportunities. (d) IN-SPACe has provided grants to the six Indian space start-ups to develop  products  and  services  in  the  sectors  i.e.  Agriculture,  Disaster management and Urban Development using space technology under INSPACe Seed Fund Scheme.

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