Around 440 Startups Now Operating in India’s Space Sector: ISRO Chief

August 23, 2026

Ahmedabad: India’s space sector now has around 440 startups, marking a major expansion of private participation in an industry that was once largely dominated by government institutions, ISRO Chairman and Department of Space Secretary Dr V. Narayanan said on Sunday.

Speaking at the third National Space Day celebrations in Ahmedabad, Narayanan said the growth in startups followed reforms that opened up greater opportunities for private companies and entrepreneurs in the space sector.

Private participation expands in space sector

Narayanan said the number of startups has increased significantly since the space sector reforms, with around 440 startups currently operating in the industry.

He said the growing private space ecosystem is becoming an important part of India’s efforts to strengthen its position in the global space industry.

Narayanan also highlighted the evolution of India’s space programme, which began in 1962, saying it has progressed from its early stages to applications that directly benefit ordinary citizens.

India advances major space missions

The ISRO chief highlighted key achievements, including Chandrayaan-1’s discovery of water molecules on the Moon, advanced camera technology used on Chandrayaan-2 and the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 near the lunar south pole on August 23, 2023.

National Space Day is observed to commemorate the historic Chandrayaan-3 achievement.

India is also working on major future missions, including the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme and the proposed Bharatiya Antariksha Station.

Narayanan said the first module of the space station has been approved, with India targeting its establishment by 2035.

Focus on youth and new space ecosystem

The National Space Day event was organised by ISRO’s Space Applications Centre under the theme ‘Towards Viksit Bharat: Innovating, Collaborating and Aspiring to Global Space Leadership’.

The programme included discussions on preparing young people for careers in space science and technology, expanding India’s emerging space ecosystem and strengthening international collaboration.

Representatives from academic and research institutions, private space companies, startups and industry participated in the discussions.

Awards were also presented to winning teams of the ISRO Robotics Challenge, Indian Space Hackathon and Dr Vikram Sarabhai Space Quiz.