India has around 440 space technology startups: DPIIT Start-up India portal

By mid-2026, 113 authorisations had been granted to 52 Non-Government Entities (NGEs) out of which 18 are start-ups for satellite operations, payload establishment and launch services. | Photo Credit: ANI

Around 440 space technology startups are registered in India, as per the DPIIT Start-up India Portal. Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has granted 113 authorisations to 52 Non-Government Entities (NGEs) to carry out various space activities, out of which 18 are start-ups, Minister of State for Atomic Energy and Space Dr Jitendra Singh told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply earlier this week.

The applications for usage and access to ISRO infrastructure (including the launch pads at ISRO's Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota) are processed as per the standard SOP based on the application received by IN-SPACe on its Digital Platform and the readiness aspects are reviewed by an Expert Committee of IN-SPACe, the minister said. Two commercial rockets are proposed to be launched by Indian private companies in FY 26-27.

For FY 27-28, the launch manifest is yet to be approved by IN-SPACe. The minister said over six launches may be undertaken by Indian private companies. According to government data, private investment in India's space sector surged nearly six-fold, climbing from $100.5 million in 2021-22 to $618.5 million by March 31, 2026, with $187 million recorded during 2026 alone.

The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a decision in June 2020 to open up the Space sector and enable the participation of Indian private sector in the entire gamut of space activities. To facilitate private sector participation, the government created the IN-SPACe, as a single-window, independent, nodal agency which functions as an autonomous agency in Department of Space (DOS). By mid-2026, 113 authorisations had been granted to 52 Non-Government Entities (NGEs) out of which 18 are start-ups for satellite operations, payload establishment and launch services.

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