Science and technology
Vikram-1 (Skyroot Aerospace) and Indian Space Policy 2023
GS3 Science and Technology - SpacePrelims and Mains
- Why in news
- On 18 July 2026, Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 reached Low Earth Orbit from Sriharikota on Mission Aagaman. It is India's first privately developed orbital launch vehicle to do so.
- What it is
- IN-SPACe is the single-window agency in the Department of Space that authorises and promotes private space activity. It works under the Indian Space Policy 2023, which follows the 2020 space sector reforms. The policy gives non-government entities access to ISRO facilities and the right to run end-to-end space activities.
- Funding growth
- Cumulative private funding rose from USD 100.5 million (2021-22) to USD 348.5 million (2023-24) and USD 618.5 million by 31 March 2026.
- Screening of applications
- Every private application is evaluated under IN-SPACe's Norms, Guidelines and Procedures (NGP), with strategic and security interests considered.
- Financial support
- Support includes a ₹1,000 crore Venture Capital Fund, a ₹500 crore Technology Adoption Fund and the IN-SPACe Seed Fund Scheme.
- EO-PPP
- The Earth Observation PPP is to build India's first privately owned Earth observation constellation, with about ₹1,200 crore private commitment.
- POEM
- The PSLV Orbital Experimental Module is a platform on which payloads, including private ones, fly on the PSLV's spent upper stage.
- Payload capacity
- Vikram-1 can place up to 350 kg into Low Earth Orbit.
- Launch site and mission
- It was launched as Mission Aagaman from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, and reached its designated Low Earth Orbit.
- Technology features
- It is India's first all-carbon composite orbital rocket. Its Orbital Adjustment Module is powered by a 100 per cent 3D-printed liquid engine.
- Payloads
- It carried experimental payloads, customer payloads and technology demonstrations, not dummy masses.
- Role of IN-SPACe
- IN-SPACe is the Department of Space body that authorises and promotes private space activity and gives access to ISRO facilities. It was created under the 2020 reforms.
- Skyroot founders
- Skyroot Aerospace was founded by Pawan Kumar Chandana and Bharath Daka.
Don’t confuse with IN-SPACe vs NSIL: IN-SPACe authorises and regulates private space activity. NSIL is ISRO's commercial arm that markets space products and services.
Don’t confuse with Vikram-S vs Vikram-1: Vikram-S was Skyroot's 2022 suborbital launch. Vikram-1 is its orbital small-satellite launch vehicle.
Science and technology: 57 Prelims questions since 2013; most test the concept behind the news, not the news itself. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.
Why it matters
- Draws private capital and startups into space, easing the load on ISRO and building a commercial space economy.
- Brings export, jobs and technology depth, and supports strategic needs such as Earth observation.
- It shows that the 2020 space reforms can produce private orbital launch capability.
- It adds a private small-satellite launch option and strengthens India's position in the commercial launch market.
Problems
- Balancing commercial freedom with national security, since space assets are dual-use.
- Startups face long gestation, high capital costs and dependence on ISRO test facilities.
- Space law is still thin: there is no comprehensive space activities act covering liability and licensing.
- Private firms face competition from established global small-launch providers, and demand for launches is uncertain.
- Private firms still depend on ISRO's launch infrastructure and need regulatory clarity and funding.
Way forward
- Finalise IN-SPACe's safety and security guidelines and enact a clear space activities law.
- Expand testing infrastructure and keep funding schemes flowing to startups.
- Use anchor government demand, as in the EO-PPP, to give private firms steady orders.
- Build dedicated private launch infrastructure and keep the regulatory and authorisation process clear.
- Support repeated, reliable launches to win commercial customers.
Put in your answer
Funding growth: Cumulative private funding rose from USD 100.5 million in 2021-22 to USD 618.5 million by March 2026.
Startup growth: Active space startups rose from one in 2014 to over 400 today.
Space sector growth: Over 400 space start-ups, a space economy near USD 9 billion, and a vision of about USD 44 billion over the next decade.
- 2016Mains GS3 · Q12Discuss India's space achievements and how their applications aid socio-economic development
- 2026Mains GS3 · Q12How startups promote entrepreneurship and employment, and challenges and measures for them
- 2026Prelims Q46Which statements on IN-SPACe and private space participation are correct
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.IN-SPACe is preparing dedicated Safety and Security Guidelines for space activities in India.
- 2.Every application from private entities for space activities is evaluated under IN-SPACe's Norms, Guidelines and Procedures before authorisation.
- 3.The Venture Capital Fund for the space sector is of ₹500 crore and the Technology Adoption Fund is of ₹1,000 crore.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 6
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.IN-SPACe is preparing dedicated Safety and Security Guidelines for space activities in India.
True. IN-SPACe is drafting these guidelines in consultation with stakeholders.
2.Applications from private entities are evaluated by ISRO alone, without reference to IN-SPACe's norms.
False. Every application is evaluated under IN-SPACe's Norms, Guidelines and Procedures.
3.Cumulative private space funding reached USD 618.5 million by 31 March 2026.
True. The figure is USD 618.5 million, up from USD 100.5 million in 2021-22.
4.The Earth Observation PPP aims to develop India's first privately owned Earth observation satellite constellation.
True. EO-PPP targets the first privately owned EO constellation, with about ₹1,200 crore private commitment.
5.IN-SPACe functions as an autonomous agency under the Department of Space.
True. IN-SPACe is an autonomous nodal agency in the Department of Space that authorises and promotes private space activity.
6.The Indian Space Policy 2023 bars foreign direct investment in space launch activities.
False. The government has a liberalised FDI policy for the space sector; it does not bar FDI in launch.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Mains practice
15 marks · 250 words
Private investment in India's space sector has crossed USD 618.5 million and IN-SPACe has issued 105 authorisations, while it is preparing Safety and Security Guidelines. In this context, discuss the provisions of the Indian Space Policy 2023 and the role of IN-SPACe in opening the space sector to private players. Examine the challenges in balancing commercial growth with national security.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.