India’s Space Sector Reforms Unlock Commercial Potential, NSIL Expands Operations

New Delhi: India’s space sector reforms have unlocked new commercial opportunities, enabling the country to expand its global presence in space technology and satellite services, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh stated while answering an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha today.

Dr. Singh highlighted the achievements of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, which has significantly enhanced private sector participation in space-related activities since its incorporation in March 2019.

NSIL’s Key Achievements

• Successfully launched GSAT-N1 (GSAT-24) on June 23, 2022, India’s first demand-driven communication satellite, catering to Direct-To-Home (DTH) services.
• Successfully launched GSAT-N2 (GSAT-20) on November 19, 2024, which is currently undergoing in-orbit testing for broadband services.
• Launched 124 international and 3 Indian customer satellites onboard PSLV, LVM3, and SSLV.
• Currently owns and operates 15 communication satellites, providing services for DTH, VSAT, TV, DSNG, IFMC, and broadband applications.
• Since May 2023, disseminating Earth Observation satellite data to global customers.
• Provided 11 launch vehicle tracking services and 9 launch support missions, including Deep Space Mission Support.
• Signed 75 Technology Transfer Agreements with Indian industries to facilitate commercial application of ISRO-developed technologies.
• Partnering with Indian and global customers to build communication and Earth observation satellites.

Financial Growth of NSIL

NSIL has emerged as a profit-making entity, with consistent revenue growth since its inception.

Financial Year	Revenue from Operations (₹ Cr)	Other Income (₹ Cr)	Total Revenue (₹ Cr)	Profit Before Tax (₹ Cr)
2019-20	314.52	7.25	321.77	68.57
2020-21	513.31	12.40	525.71	212.84
2021-22	1,674.77	57.08	1,731.84	459.15
2022-23	2,842.26	98.16	2,940.42	616.35
2023-24	2,116.12	279.08	2,395.20	803.59

Upcoming Projects

• GSAT-N3: NSIL’s third demand-driven communication satellite will be launched in Q1 2026 to support S-band communication services for Indian governmental users.
• Privately Manufactured PSLV: NSIL has signed a contract with HAL-L&T consortium for the end-to-end production of five PSLV rockets. The first fully Indian industry-manufactured PSLV is scheduled for launch in Q2 2025.

Future Expansion Plans

Dr. Singh outlined NSIL’s ambitious roadmap to further expand commercial space activities, including:

• Building multiple communication satellites on demand-driven models.
• Developing LVM3 rockets through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to tap into the global launch services market.
• Enabling Indian private industries to manufacture Earth Observation satellites.
• Strengthening India’s role in satellite-based services, including communication, remote sensing, and navigation.

Boosting India’s Role in the Global Space Economy

Dr. Singh praised the 2020 Space Sector Reforms, stating that NSIL’s shift to a Demand-Driven Model has strengthened India’s commercial foothold in the global space market. He emphasized that enabling private industries to build ISRO’s operational launch vehicles (PSLV, LVM3, SSLV) would significantly boost the Indian industrial sector, paving the way for fully industry-manufactured rockets.

Additionally, technology transfers to private players will enhance India’s space ecosystem and increase India’s share in the global space economy.

With India’s expanding space commercialization efforts, NSIL is poised to play a key role in shaping the country’s future as a global leader in space technology and satellite services.