Lok Sabha Question No. 5323 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-25
Subject: Satellite Communication Infrastructure and Support to Space Missions
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Smt. Bharti Pardhi, Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Shri Ravindra Dattaram Waikar, Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil, Shri Naresh Ganpat Mhaske, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne, Shri Atul Garg

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5323 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 TH  MARCH, 2026

## SATELLITE COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUPPORT TO SPACE MISSIONS

## 5323.   SHRI ATUL GARG:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE: SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE: SHRI RAVINDRA DATTARAM WAIKAR: SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL: DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: SMT. BHARTI PARDHI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has  undertaken  initiatives  to  strengthen  satellite  communication infrastructure and ground segment capabilities to support India's space missions and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the same;

(b) whether measures have been introduced to develop and deploy advanced antenna systems and communication technologies for satellite tracking, telemetry and data reception and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the same;

(c) whether  steps  have  been  taken  to  promote  indigenous  development  and  deployment  of satellite communication and ground station infrastructure and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the same;

(d) whether collaboration with industry stakeholders has been encouraged to enhance technological capabilities and operational efficiency in space communication systems and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the same; and

(e) the manner in which these initiatives are expected to strengthen India's space communication network, satellite mission support and technological self-reliance?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

(a) Department of Telecommunications announced and implemented Satellite Communication Reforms-2022  to  facilitate  the  ease-of-doing  business,  streamlining  a  number  of  processes  and rationalizing various charges.

Also,  the  Space  Sector  reforms  announced  in  2020,  enable  larger  participation  of  NonGovernment Entities (NGEs) for building/leasing, owning and operating the satellite systems for providing satellite-based services. The Government of India, as part of its 2020 space sector reforms, established an autonomous nodal agency, namely Indian National Space Promotion and

Authorization  Centre  (IN-SPACe)  under  Department  of  Space  (DOS),  to  promote  and  oversee private sector participation in space activities. Various measures to encourage and hand hold private sector  have been announced and implemented by IN-SPACe, such as Seed fund Scheme, Technical Centre, Design Lab for NGEs, Skill Development in Space Sector, ISRO facility utilisation support, Technology  Transfer  to  NGEs,  creation  of  IN-SPACe  Digital  Platform  to  connect  with  all  the stakeholders of space ecosystem etc.

It is envisaged that the infrastructure created will also support the space missions.

(b) to (d) Department of  Telecommunications (DoT)  has  launched the Telecom  Technology Development  Fund  (TTDF)  Scheme  to  promote  and  fund  research  and  development  (R&D)  in communication technologies, fostering collaboration between academia, start-ups, research institutes,  and  industry  to  enhance  the telecom  ecosystem  in  India.  This is also  likely  to  support development of advanced antenna systems.

To  encourage  indigenization,  Department  of  Telecommunications  issued  instructions  on 05.05.2025 which inter-alia, includes that the licensee having Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite Service (GMPCS) authorization under Unified License (UL), will aim at indigenisation to a level of at least 20% of their ground segment of the satellite network that is established at the end of 5 years post the date of launch of commercial operations.

(e) It  is  envisaged  that  these  initiatives  will  enhance  the  diffusion  of  space  technology  and strengthen the space sector infrastructure including space communication network, satellite mission support and technological self-reliance.

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