India’s space sector undergoing decisive transformation: Dr Jitendra

New Delhi, Nov 18: “Space” will ensure global space for India as a frontline nation in the world, Union Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh said Tuesday.
Pointing out India’s expanding role in the global space order, the Minister said that India is fast emerging as a preferred global destination for Space sector engagement and investment. This is reflected in the growing interest from multiple international delegations visiting the country in recent months, he added.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said India’s space sector is undergoing a decisive transformation that directly reflects the theme of this year’s India International Space Conclave (IISC 2025) — “Expanding Horizons: Innovation, Inclusion & Resilience in the New Space Age.” Addressing industry leaders, global agencies, diplomats and start-ups at the event organised by the Indian Space Association (ISpA), he said the government’s reforms have created an enabling ecosystem where talent, technology and investment can converge to shape the future of India’s space economy.
The Minister noted that the theme was “very thoughtfully coined” because it captures the new energy visible across India’s fast-growing space ecosystem. The Minister said that while India always had scientific capability, the turning point came when policy makers created an environment that encouraged innovation and broad-based participation. Reforms introduced since 2019, including opening the sector to private players, establishing IN-SPACe as a single-window regulatory body, and releasing the space policy in 2023, have helped India expand its role in the global space landscape.
Highlighting the “inclusion” aspect of the theme, he said the unlocking of the space sector has brought start-ups, students, industry and citizens into what was once a closed domain. Thousands now witness rocket launches in person, and more than 300 space start-ups have emerged in just a few years. Many of them have secured foreign investments and grown rapidly, demonstrating the entrepreneurial talent that had long remained untapped.
On “innovation,” Dr. Jitendra Singh pointed to India’s achievements—from Chandrayaan’s south pole landing and the discovery of lunar water to the successful Mangalyaan mission and the launch of 104 satellites in one go. He underlined that India’s most significant contribution has been the application of space technology for governance and citizen welfare. Nearly 70% of India’s space applications now support ease of living, he said, citing Gati Shakti for infrastructure planning, SWAMITVA for land mapping, satellite-enabled disaster management, telemedicine in remote regions and railway safety systems that can detect obstructions well in advance.
The Minister said this approach also strengthens “resilience,” another core element of the Conclave’s theme, as satellite-based services now support disaster response, agriculture, weather forecasting and connectivity across the country. India is extending these capabilities to neighbouring nations as well, with satellites supporting Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar.
The Minister said the confidence shown by delegations from Japan, Italy and several others reinforce India’s position as a preferred global destination for space partnerships. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for dismantling long-standing barriers in strategic sectors such as space and atomic energy, creating the policy environment required for India’s global expansion.
As IISC 2025 brought together ministries, industry, space agencies, investors, start-ups and academia, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the deliberations will further strengthen India’s efforts toward building an innovative, inclusive and resilient space ecosystem. He concluded that with the space economy projected to grow fivefold in the coming years, India is poised to secure a stronger position in the global space order, in line with the vision reflected in this year’s theme.