Syllabus: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights
Strategic Context
- The last five years reflect strategic volatility between celebrated missions and failed launches.
- The 2020 reforms enabled private entry through IN-SPACe and firms like Skyroot and Agnikul.
- The Economic Survey frames the decade as a phase of export consolidation rather than institutional strain.
- Between 2015 and 2024, India launched 393 foreign satellites for 34 countries.
- These launches generated over $143 million and €272 million in export revenues.
Budget Trends and Capacity Constraints
- Budget Estimates have remained nearly flat from FY22 to FY26 in real terms.
- Revised Estimates declined due to underutilisation of initial allocations by the Department.
- Capital expenditure fell from ₹8,228 crore in FY22 to ₹6,103 crore in FY26.
- Revenue expenditure rose from ₹5,720 crore to ₹7,311 crore during the same period.
- Operational costs increasingly crowd out investments in launch infrastructure and research assets.
Role of NSIL in Commercial Funding
- The government expects NewSpace India Limited to bridge capital investment gaps.
- NSIL’s revenue increased sharply from ₹322 crore in FY20 to ₹2,940 crore in FY23.
- The strategy aims to shift infrastructure funding from taxation to commercial earnings.
Industry Demands and Policy Proposals
- The industry projects a $44 billion space economy over the next decade.
- SIA-India seeks funding rise from 0.04% to 0.12% of GDP.
- It proposes ₹18,000 crore for FY27 under a National Satellite Connectivity Mission.
- Private capital raised in FY23 was just over ₹1,000 crore across the NewSpace ecosystem.
- ISpA urges cthe lassification of space as “critical infrastructure” to reduce borrowing costs.
Procurement and Strategic Shift
- ISpA recommends 50% government procurement from domestic private space providers.
- The model emphasises anchor demand over direct subsidies, resembling NASA’s service-based approach.