New Delhi: India reinforced its growing presence in the global space sector as the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hosted the 35th Plenary and Working Groups meetings of ISO TC 20 / SC 14 on ‘Space Systems and Operations’ in New Delhi.
The international gathering brought together 131 delegates from 13 countries, including representatives from national standards bodies, global space agencies, industry leaders, academic institutions, and experts from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The inaugural session at Bharat Mandapam was attended by Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Nidhi Khare; Director General of BIS Sanjay Garg; Chairman of IN-SPACe Dr. Pawan Goenka; and other senior officials associated with international standardisation and space systems.
Addressing the plenary session, Khare highlighted India’s emergence as a key player in the global space ecosystem and stressed the importance of international collaboration in developing standards for the rapidly evolving space sector.
“It is a matter of immense pride for India to host this meeting as we stand at the forefront of global space transformation,” she said, adding that reforms and initiatives such as IN-SPACe have created opportunities for startups and private industries to participate in the country’s expanding space economy.
She noted that internationally accepted standards would play a critical role in ensuring that space activities remain safe, sustainable, and inclusive.
BIS Director General Shri Sanjay Garg underlined the role of standardisation in strengthening quality, safety, and competitiveness in India’s growing space industry. He said BIS is working towards aligning Indian standards with global frameworks to support technological advancement and industrial growth.
Garg also observed that hosting the meeting in India provides domestic experts an opportunity to directly contribute to the international standard-setting process, thereby strengthening India’s role in shaping future space regulations and practices.
Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe, highlighted the transformation of India’s space ecosystem through policy reforms and increased private sector participation. He stressed that robust standards are essential for fostering innovation, improving industry confidence, and integrating India more deeply into the global space economy.
ISO/TC 20/SC 14 develops international standards covering the entire lifecycle of space systems, including design, production, launch, operations, and space-based services. The standards focus on safety, interoperability, sustainability, debris mitigation, and mission operations.
Officials said India hosting the prestigious international meeting reflects the country’s rising stature in the space sector, driven by ISRO’s achievements and expanding participation of private companies under recent reforms.
