§1How big it is

§2Ways to get started

  • Precision machining and components for ISRO / primes
  • Satellite data analytics for agriculture, insurance, urban planning
  • Ground station or antenna services
  • Cubesat sub-systems
  • Space-tech software and simulation

See the Business Encyclopedia

§3Hubs and clusters

    §4Licences and registration

    1. IN-SPACe authorisation for space activities (per Norms, Guidelines and Procedures 2024)
    2. WPC frequency and spectrum licences
    3. Export control (SCOMET) authorisation for controlled items
    4. AS9100 quality certification (supplier requirement)
    5. Udyam Registration (MSME) - free, online, PAN + Aadhaar based
    6. GST registration (mandatory above turnover threshold or for inter-state supply)
    7. Shops & Establishments registration or Factory Licence (Factories Act) depending on set-up
    8. State Pollution Control Board Consent to Establish / Operate per CPCB 2025 Red/Orange/Green/White/Blue category (White exempt)
    9. IEC - Importer Exporter Code from DGFT (only if importing or exporting)

    §5Regulators

    • Department of Space
    • IN-SPACe - Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (authorisation, NGP 2024)
    • NSIL - NewSpace India Limited (commercial arm)
    • DoT / WPC for spectrum

    §6Government help

    • IN-SPACe seed fund and technology transfer support
    • Rs 1,000 crore Venture Capital Fund for space start-ups (IN-SPACe/SIDBI)
    • ISRO technology transfer through NSIL
    • Indian Space Policy 2023
    • Cross-sector schemes: Udyam-linked MSME benefits, PMEGP, CGTMSE credit guarantee, Stand-Up India, Startup India (DPIIT recognition), RoDTEP / duty drawback and Export Promotion Mission for exporters

    All schemes

    §7For exports

    • EEPC India (engineering components)
    • DGFT (SCOMET)

    §8Pros and cons

    Merits

    • Private participation now allowed end-to-end with liberal FDI [PIB Space 2026]
    • Over 400 start-ups show an active ecosystem [PIB Space 2026]
    • Downstream data services need little hardware capital

    Demerits

    • Very long sales cycles and high quality bar
    • Hardware is capital- and talent-intensive
    • Export control compliance
    • Customer base still concentrated around ISRO and government

    Sources

    1. PIB backgrounder (DoS): India's Space Odyssey - Building India's Space Future (21 Jun 2026)
    2. IN-SPACe
    3. Department of Space