Lok Sabha Question No. 1919 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: Space Start-ups in India
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Dr. Manna Lal Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1919

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2026

## SPACE START-UPS IN INDIA

## 1919.  DR. MANNA LAL RAWAT:

## Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of Space startups currently operational in the country;
- (b) the  number  of  Space  startups  that  were  functional  in  the country prior  to  the  year  2014  along  with  the  details  of  new Space  startups launched after the year 2014, year-wise including names of the prominent space start-ups;
- (c) the year and the details of the schemes,  policies and institutional  frameworks  implemented  by  the  Government  to encourage and provide support to these Space startups;
- (d) the primary focus areas of the Government under the aforementioned  schemes/policies,  such  as  launch  services,

O.I.H.

satellite  manufacturing,  Earth  observation,  communication, navigation or other emerging sector; and

- (e) the  details  of  the  achievements  attained  through  theses initiatives 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) & (b)

The number of registered Space Start-ups have gone up from just 1 in 2014 to more than 400 as on date. After announcement of Startup India Initiative in 2016, with a goal of fostering innovation and  building  a  robust  startup  ecosystem  in  the  country  by providing  support,  funding  and  easier  regulatory  frameworks, there is a magnificent growth in startups related to space domain also. Prominent space startups grown in the country after 2014 are M/s. Pixxel, M/s. Dhruva, M/s. Skyroot Aerospace, M/s. Agnikul Cosmos, M/s. Bellatrix Aerospace etc.

- (c) Year  wise  details  of  the  schemes,  policies  and  institutional frameworks implemented by the Government to encourage and provide support to space start-ups is as under:
- (d) The Government is committed towards the self-reliance in the all  the  domain  of  Space  Technology,  i.e.,  Up,  Down  and  Midstream.
- (e) The achievements attained are clearly evident, with a significant  increase  in  private  sector  participation  in  space domain.    However,  following  are  the  major  achievements attained so far:
- i. The number of space start-ups reached to more than 400.
- ii. The investment in space start-ups crossed more than USD 500 million.
- iii. Two  private  sector  companies  tested  and  flown  their launch vehicles at sub orbital orbit in November 2022 and May 2024.
- iv. A total of 25 payloads flown/going to fly on PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) which helps NGE's test and prove the space flightworthiness of their payloads.
- v. A total of 6 Indian Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) has launched 18 satellites in orbit.
- vi. Awarding of the establishment of Earth Observation (EO) satellite constellation on PPP model, will spur innovation and improve global confidence of our Indian space tech companies.
- vii. Higher throughput of launch vehicles with the technology transfer of SSLV
- viii. 25  number  of  companies  already  testing  their  satellites /subsystems in the real  environment  of  space  by  taking advantage of platforms like POEM
- ix. State government seeing space as a sunrise sector and making proactive policies to encourage companies in this domain through incentive schemes.
- x. Indian  space  companies  slowly  beginning  to  embed  in global aerospace and space supply chains.

|   Sl. No. | Scheme /policy                                     |   Year |
|-----------|----------------------------------------------------|--------|
|         1 | Indian Space Policy                                |   2023 |
|         2 | Liberated FDI Policy                               |   2024 |
|         3 | Norms, Guidelines and Procedures for Authorization |   2024 |

|   4. | IN-SPACe Seed Fund Scheme                                                    |   2023 |
|------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
|    5 | IN-SPACe Pre-incubation Entrepreneurship (PIE) Program                       |   2024 |
|    6 | Establishment of Rs.1000 Cr Venture Capital Fund                             |   2024 |
|    7 | Establishment of Rs. 500 Crores Technology Adoption Fund (TAF)               |   2025 |
|    8 | Technology Transfer of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to HAL          |   2025 |
|    9 | Establishment of Earth Observation (EO) satellite constellation on PPP model |   2026 |

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