Science TechnologyTuesday, 8 September 2026·The Hindu - National
ISRO’s role will not shrink: IN-SPACe clarifies India’s space policy direction
IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Kumar Goenka said ISRO will remain the bedrock of India’s space sector and will not be privatised.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On September 6, 2026, IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Kumar Goenka said ISRO would not be privatised and would remain the bedrock of India’s space sector, after nine ISRO employee associations sought clarification on the government’s space-sector trajectory.
Key specifics
- The clarification referred to reforms begun in 2020 and institutionalised through the Indian Space Policy 2023.
- India now has over 450 space startups, compared with a handful in 2020, according to ISRO’s statement.
- The space economy is projected to grow from about $8.4 billion to $44 billion by 2033.
- ISRO said it would focus on advanced R&D, scientific and strategic missions, and infrastructure such as the Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035.
- The agency also mentioned an Indian crewed lunar mission by 2040 and said critical national space infrastructure would remain with the government.
Exam lens
Science and technology policy question: IN-SPACe, Indian Space Policy 2023, 2020 reforms, 450+ startups, $8.4 billion to $44 billion by 2033, Bharatiya Antariksh Station 2035, crewed lunar mission 2040 — a TNPSC one-liner on space-sector reforms.