ISRO won’t be ‘diminished’, says IN-SPACe chairman

NEW DELHI: Isro chairman V Narayanan defended the expansion of the private sector’s role in India’s space program during the inaugural session of the 9th Bengaluru Space Expo 2026 in Bengaluru. He emphasized that the space agency remains a government organization and dismissed concerns about its potential privatisation, stating that increased private sector involvement is essential for growing India’s space ecosystem. Narayanan addressed reports that nine employee associations at Isro centers had sought clarification on the proposed transfer of certain manufacturing and operational functions to private entities. He acknowledged the validity of these concerns and stated that it was the organization’s duty to respond. “So, surely, my colleagues, whatever they have, it is a genuine concern. It is our responsibility to clarify,” he said. India’s space program, which dates back nearly 65 years, currently operates 56 space assets in orbit. Narayanan noted that the country’s growing demands necessitate a significant increase in the number of space activities and launches. He highlighted that since the space sector reforms initiated six years ago, the government has supported private companies and startups to foster a broader space ecosystem. “We are supposed to hand-hold the private sector, startup companies, and grow the space ecosystem,” he said. Narayanan also pointed out that Indian industry plays a major role in Isro’s launch programs. He mentioned that approximately 80 percent of the budget for each Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) or Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) launch is allocated to domestic industries, with around 450 companies contributing to these efforts. Looking ahead, Narayanan set a target of achieving 50 annual launches by 2030. “The country's requirement is around 50 launch vehicles per year. We have to go ahead,” he said. He recalled that when he joined Isro 43 years ago, the agency conducted one launch roughly every three years. “So many activities are going on. Probably one or two things are only known outside, but it is our responsibility to put everything in the Isro side. Fifty launches per year is going to be a reality,” he added. The target of 50 launches per year has also been echoed by Pawan Kumar Goenka, chairman of IN-SPACe, who emphasized the need for collaboration between the government and private industry to meet the ambitious goal. The nine employee associations had written to Narayanan on September 4, seeking clarification on the direction and basis of the shift toward greater private-sector participation. They questioned whether launch-vehicle design, development, integration, testing, and launch operations would continue under Isro or be transferred to private entities. They also sought information on the future role of public-sector units and the transfer or opening of publicly developed technologies. Goenka responded to the concerns, asserting that ISRO’s role would not diminish. “ISRO will remain the bedrock of the Indian space sector,” he stated. He described recent reporting as a “misleading narrative,” emphasizing that the reforms began in 2020 to expand the space ecosystem. Goenka outlined that IN-SPACe authorizes non-government participation, while NSIL commercializes mature capabilities. He noted that ISRO would focus on advanced research, scientific missions, and infrastructure beyond the scope of private developers. Isro clarified that suggestions of privatisation were “completely baseless and incorrect.” The agency reiterated that it would not be privatised and that ownership of critical national space infrastructure would remain with the government. It also mentioned that India now has over 450 space startups, compared to just a few in 2020, and aims to grow its space economy from roughly $8.4 billion to $44 billion by 2033.