In a significant step towards fostering innovation and self-reliance, the Indian government has broadened access for private enterprises in the strategically vital space and defence sectors. This initiative is part of the overarching national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047, aimed at converting India into an advanced and economically resilient nation.
The Department of Space, through the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), has facilitated access for the private sector to leverage Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s advanced infrastructure and technological resources. This decision builds on reforms initiated in the space sector in 2020, which paved the way for commercial and academic collaborations. The intention is to boost India’s participation in the global space economy by empowering indigenous firms to innovate, manufacture, and launch space technologies with governmental support.
Minister of State for Space Dr. Jitendra Singh has underscored the remarkable surge in private involvement within the space sector. Multiple start-ups and established companies are now actively engaged in the development of satellites, launch services, and data analytics. With ISRO’s facilities becoming more accessible, the Indian space landscape is poised for a significant enhancement in domestic capabilities and potential for export.
In tandem, the defence sector has witnessed dramatic reforms. By 2025, nearly 92% of defence procurement contracts—totaling ₹1.68 lakh crore—are set to be awarded to Indian companies. The capital procurement budget allocated for domestic suppliers has seen an increase from 40% in 2020 to 75% in 2023–24, amounting to ₹99,223 crore. Notably, a quarter of this budget is earmarked for the private sector, demonstrating the government’s strategy to empower non-governmental entities in defence manufacturing and research and development.
The Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) platform, which was launched in 2018, is serving as a crucial catalyst in integrating startups, MSMEs, and individual innovators into the defence framework. This initiative has led to the creation of indigenous drones, communication systems, and advanced defence platforms, thereby diminishing India’s reliance on foreign imports.
These strategic policy transformations are taking place during the ongoing “11 Years of Yuva Shakti” campaign, which celebrates over a decade of youth-driven progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration. The Prime Minister has consistently emphasized the importance of India’s youth in steering the nation toward becoming a global beacon of innovation. By prioritizing opportunities for young entrepreneurs in critical sectors like space and defence, the government aims to nurture long-term growth, job creation, and technological excellence.
Overall, these reforms not only enhance India’s national security and capabilities in space exploration but also position the private sector as a crucial participant in the nation’s pursuit of self-reliance and technological independence.
