New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday underlined the growing influence of India’s Gen Z in transforming the country’s space sector, saying that whenever new opportunities emerge, young Indians step forward with enthusiasm and place national interest above all else.
The Prime Minister made these observations while inaugurating Skyroot Aerospace’s Infinity Campus in Hyderabad through video conferencing.
Private Space Sector Gathers Momentum
PM Modi noted that the surge in India’s private space sector is being powered by more than 300 space startups. He highlighted that many of these ventures began with small teams operating from modest rented spaces, armed with limited resources but strong determination.
According to him, this spirit of innovation has driven the rise of a private space revolution in the country. Young engineers, designers, coders and scientists are now developing advanced technologies in propulsion systems, composite materials, rocket stages and satellite platforms—areas once considered beyond the reach of Indian startups.
Gen Z Driving India’s Startup Ecosystem
Linking the rapid growth of the space sector to India’s broader startup movement, the Prime Minister said that over the past decade, young innovators—particularly Gen Z—have been creating impactful solutions across sectors such as FinTech, AgriTech, HealthTech, ClimateTech, EduTech and DefenceTech.
He praised Gen Z for their “creativity, positive attitude and ability” to build capacities, adding that their work has the potential to inspire young people across the world.
India Emerges as Global Startup Powerhouse
PM Modi pointed out that India has now become the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with more than 1.5 lakh registered startups and several unicorns. He observed that startup culture, once limited to metro cities, has now spread to small towns and villages, reflecting growing confidence and ambition among young Indians nationwide.
Vikram-I Rocket and Infinity Campus Unveiled
During the event, the Prime Minister also virtually unveiled Skyroot’s first orbital launch vehicle, Vikram-I, which is capable of placing satellites into orbit. In addition, he inaugurated Skyroot’s Infinity Campus, a state-of-the-art facility spanning nearly two lakh square feet.
The campus will support the design, development, integration and testing of multiple launch vehicles, with the capacity to build one orbital rocket every month.
Founded by former ISRO scientists and IIT alumni Pawan Chandana and Bharath Dhaka, Skyroot Aerospace has emerged as a leading private space company in India. In November 2022, it made history by launching Vikram-S, becoming the first Indian private firm to successfully fly a sub-orbital rocket.
