Private space investment crosses $618 million as India strengthens space reforms
New Delhi: Private space investment in India crossed USD 618.5 million as of March 31, 2026, while the government issued 105 authorisations to private entities and strengthened national security safeguards to support the country’s expanding space sector, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh informed the Rajya Sabha.
Replying to an unstarred question, the Minister said private investment reached USD 187 million during 2026 alone. He added that cumulative funding increased nearly six-fold, rising from USD 100.5 million in 2021-22 to USD 618.5 million by March 2026. The growth reflected increasing confidence among domestic and global investors in India’s space ecosystem.
Dr. Singh said every proposal from non-government entities undergoes scrutiny under the norms of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe). The government also plans dedicated Safety and Security Guidelines to ensure that commercial expansion aligns with strategic and national security interests.
Private space investment drives startup growth
The Minister said the government created a comprehensive framework to accelerate private participation in the space sector. Key measures include the India Space Policy 2023, a liberalised FDI policy, simplified authorisation procedures, concessional access to ISRO facilities and financial support through dedicated venture and technology funds.
He said IN-SPACe has authorised 17 space startups to undertake space activities. India’s active space startups have also increased from just one in 2014 to more than 400 today.
According to the government’s impact assessment, Indian private companies have demonstrated launch and orbital capabilities, placed over 30 satellites into orbit and flown nearly 45 payloads through platforms such as the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module.
The Minister said India’s private space ecosystem is also expanding globally. IN-SPACe has established collaborations with more than 45 countries and signed cooperation agreements with several foreign space agencies. In addition, the Earth Observation Public-Private Partnership has attracted around ₹1,200 crore in private investment to develop India’s first privately owned Earth observation satellite constellation.
