UPSC Prelims 2026Question 46Science & Technology

Consider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in India’s space programme:
1. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous agency formed to facilitate participation of private entities.
2. Agnikul Cosmos launched the world’s first flight using 3D-printed rocket engine.
3. Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid fuel for GSLV.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Options

(a)1 only
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)1 and 2 only
(d)1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: c

Decision rule

Start-ups fly their own vehicles; a statement crediting a private firm with a stage or fuel of an ISRO launcher is the planted error.

Explanation

Correct Answer

(c) 1 and 2 only

Explanation of the Correct Answer

Statement 1: The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous agency formed to facilitate participation of private entities.

Correct.

IN-SPACe is a single-window, independent nodal agency under the Department of Space.
It functions as an autonomous agency to promote, enable, authorise and supervise the participation of private entities in India’s space sector.
ISRO describes IN-SPACe as an autonomous agency in the Department of Space. (ISRO)

Statement 2: Agnikul Cosmos launched the world’s first flight using 3D-printed rocket engine.

Correct.

Agnikul Cosmos, an IIT Madras-incubated start-up, launched Agnibaan SOrTeD from Sriharikota on 30 May 2024.
PIB described it as the world’s first rocket with a single-piece 3D-printed engine. (Press Information Bureau)
This was a major milestone for private participation in India’s space programme.

Statement 3: Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid fuel for GSLV.

Incorrect.

GSLV is an ISRO launch vehicle, not a Skyroot Aerospace launch vehicle.
ISRO describes GSLV Mk II as India’s launch vehicle developed for placing communication satellites into geostationary transfer orbit, using liquid strap-ons and a cryogenic upper stage. (ISRO)
Skyroot Aerospace is a private company developing its own Vikram series launch vehicles; it has not developed liquid fuel for ISRO’s GSLV.

Therefore, only statements 1 and 2 are correct.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option	Verdict	Explanation
(a) 1 only	Incorrect	Statement 1 is correct, but statement 2 is also correct because Agnikul launched the world’s first rocket with a single-piece 3D-printed engine.
(b) 2 and 3 only	Incorrect	Statement 2 is correct, but statement 3 is incorrect because Skyroot has not developed liquid fuel for GSLV.
(c) 1 and 2 only	Correct	IN-SPACe facilitates private participation, and Agnikul achieved the 3D-printed rocket engine launch milestone.
(d) 1, 2 and 3	Incorrect	Statement 3 is incorrect.

Relevant Supplementary Information

Private Entities in India’s Space Sector

Entity / Organisation	Nature	Important Role / Milestone
IN-SPACe	Autonomous agency under Department of Space	Single-window agency for promoting and authorising private space activities
NSIL	Public sector company under Department of Space	Commercial arm for space-related services and technology transfer
Agnikul Cosmos	Private space start-up	Launched Agnibaan SOrTeD with single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine
Skyroot Aerospace	Private space start-up	Developing Vikram series launch vehicles
Dhruva Space	Private space company	Works in satellite platforms and space missions
Pixxel	Private space company	Works on hyperspectral Earth-imaging satellites
Bellatrix Aerospace	Private space company	Works on propulsion systems and space mobility technologies

Agnikul Cosmos vs Skyroot Aerospace

Basis	Agnikul Cosmos	Skyroot Aerospace
Type	Indian private space start-up	Indian private space start-up
Known for	Agnibaan launch vehicle and 3D-printed engine	Vikram series launch vehicles
Major milestone	Agnibaan SOrTeD launch in 2024	Vikram-S suborbital launch in 2022
Technology highlight	Single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine	Private launch vehicle development
Connection with GSLV	No direct GSLV fuel development role	No direct GSLV fuel development role
Exam relevance	Statement 2 is correct	Statement 3 is incorrect

Basis	Agnikul Cosmos	Skyroot Aerospace
Type	Indian private space start-up	Indian private space start-up
Incubation / Origin	Incubated at IIT Madras	Founded by former ISRO scientists
Launch vehicle family	Agnibaan	Vikram series
Major milestone	Agnibaan SOrTeD launch using single-piece 3D-printed engine	Vikram-S suborbital launch
Technology highlight	3D-printed semi-cryogenic rocket engine	Privately developed launch vehicle technology
Association with GSLV	No direct role in developing GSLV fuel	No role in developing liquid fuel for GSLV
Exam relevance	Statement 2 was correct	Statement 3 was incorrect

IN-SPACe, ISRO and NSIL: Difference

Body	Full Form / Nature	Main Function
ISRO	Indian Space Research Organisation	India’s national space agency; research, development and missions
IN-SPACe	Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre	Promotes, enables and authorises private space activities
NSIL	NewSpace India Limited	Commercial arm for space services, launches and technology transfer
Department of Space	Government department	Overall policy and administrative control

Key Takeaways from the Tables

Point	Explanation
IN-SPACe enables private participation	It is an autonomous agency under the Department of Space.
Agnikul achieved a major private-space milestone	It launched a rocket with a single-piece 3D-printed engine.
Skyroot is not linked to GSLV fuel development	Skyroot works on its own Vikram launch vehicles.
GSLV belongs to ISRO	It is an ISRO-developed launch vehicle.
Private space sector is expanding in India	Start-ups now work in launch vehicles, satellites, propulsion, imaging and space services.

Point	Explanation
IN-SPACe = private-sector facilitation	It is the single-window agency for promoting and authorising private space activities.
Agnikul = 3D-printed rocket engine milestone	Its Agnibaan SOrTeD mission used a single-piece 3D-printed engine.
Skyroot = Vikram series	Skyroot is associated with private launch vehicles, not GSLV fuel development.
GSLV = ISRO	GSLV is an ISRO-developed launch vehicle.
NSIL = commercialisation	NSIL handles commercial aspects and technology transfer, while IN-SPACe handles private participation and authorisation.
Private space sector is now diverse	Indian start-ups work in launch vehicles, satellites, Earth observation, propulsion and space services.

Context and Current Relevance

India opened the space sector to private players to increase innovation, investment and commercial capacity.
IN-SPACe is central to regulating and enabling this private-sector participation.
Recent milestones by Agnikul and Skyroot show India’s transition from a purely state-led space programme to a mixed public-private space ecosystem.

Table: Private Entities in India’s Space Programme — Key Facts

Entity / Organisation	Nature	Main Role / Milestone
IN-SPACe	Autonomous agency under Department of Space	Promotes, enables, authorises and supervises private participation in the space sector
ISRO	National space agency	Space research, launch vehicles, satellites and national space missions
NSIL	Public sector company under Department of Space	Commercial arm for space services, launch services and technology transfer
Agnikul Cosmos	Private space start-up	Launched Agnibaan SOrTeD using a single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine
Skyroot Aerospace	Private space start-up	Developed Vikram series launch vehicles; launched Vikram-S
Dhruva Space	Private space company	Satellite platforms, payload hosting and space mission services
Pixxel	Private space company	Hyperspectral Earth observation satellites
Bellatrix Aerospace	Private space company	Propulsion systems and space mobility solutions
GalaxEye	Private space company	Multi-sensor Earth observation satellites
Aadyah Aerospace	Private space company	Space systems, avionics and satellite subsystems

Table: IN-SPACe, ISRO and NSIL — Difference

Body	Full Form / Nature	Main Function	Keyword to Remember
ISRO	Indian Space Research Organisation	National space research and mission execution agency	Research and missions
IN-SPACe	Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre	Single-window agency for authorising and promoting private space activities	Private participation
NSIL	NewSpace India Limited	Commercial arm of Department of Space	Commercialisation
Department of Space	Government department	Policy and administrative control over India’s space sector	Governance

Table: Important Private Space Milestones in India

Milestone	Entity	Importance
Opening of space sector to private participation	Government of India	Enabled non-government entities to participate in space activities
Creation of IN-SPACe	Department of Space	Institutional mechanism for private sector authorisation and promotion
Vikram-S launch	Skyroot Aerospace	One of India’s first privately developed rocket launches
Agnibaan SOrTeD launch	Agnikul Cosmos	Used a single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine
Private satellite missions	Dhruva Space, Pixxel and others	Shows expansion of private role beyond launch vehicles
Private propulsion technologies	Bellatrix Aerospace and others	Builds domestic capabilities in advanced propulsion
Space Policy reforms	Government of India	Provides clearer framework for private space activities

Table: Major Indian Launch Vehicles and Associations

Launch Vehicle	Developed / Operated By	Purpose / Feature
SLV	ISRO	Early satellite launch vehicle
ASLV	ISRO	Augmented satellite launch vehicle
PSLV	ISRO	Reliable launch vehicle for polar and low Earth orbit missions
GSLV	ISRO	Launches heavier satellites into geosynchronous transfer orbit
LVM3	ISRO	Heavy-lift launch vehicle; used in Chandrayaan-3
SSLV	ISRO	Small satellite launch vehicle
Vikram series	Skyroot Aerospace	Private launch vehicle family
Agnibaan	Agnikul Cosmos	Private launch vehicle family with 3D-printed engine technology

Table: Similar Prelims-Trap Facts on India’s Private Space Sector

Statement / Theme	Correct Understanding	Common Trap
IN-SPACe facilitates private participation	Correct	Confusing it with NSIL
NSIL is commercial arm	Correct	Calling it the regulator of private entities
ISRO develops GSLV	Correct	Attributing GSLV fuel development to a private start-up
Agnikul Cosmos	Known for 3D-printed rocket engine milestone	Confusing it with Skyroot
Skyroot Aerospace	Known for Vikram launch vehicles	Saying it developed liquid fuel for GSLV
Private players in space	Work in launch vehicles, satellites, propulsion and data services	Thinking only ISRO can conduct space activities
IN-SPACe	Authorises and promotes non-government space activities	Thinking it launches rockets itself
Vikram-S	Associated with Skyroot Aerospace	Confusing it with ISRO’s Vikram lander
Agnibaan	Associated with Agnikul Cosmos	Confusing it with Agni missile series

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