In a landmark address at the “Good Governance” Conclave organised by the Indian Institute of Democratic Leadership, Union Minister Jitendra Singh unveiled the transformative potential of India’s space technology, highlighting its pivotal role in revolutionising governance and enhancing the lives of common citizens. Singh, who heads the Department of Space, emphasised that India’s space capabilities have transcended traditional rocket launches, becoming an integral part of everyday governance and citizen services.
Singh showcased several initiatives where space technology is driving transparency, grievance redressal, and citizen participation. One such initiative is the “Swamitva Yojana,” which uses satellite mapping for land record management. This technology has empowered citizens by reducing their dependence on revenue officials for land record verification, thereby minimising corrupt practices and enhancing efficiency.
The Minister also underscored the critical role of space technology in national defense, border surveillance, and geopolitical intelligence, contributing significantly to India’s security. Furthermore, Singh highlighted the technology’s impact on India’s agricultural sector, noting its invaluable contributions to decision-making, weather forecasting, communication, disaster preparedness, early warning systems, urban planning, and security.
India’s growing stature in global space exploration was another key point in Singh’s address. He cited the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission, which made India the first nation to reach the southern pole of the Moon, as a testament to India’s leadership in space technology. Singh credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for opening the space sector to private participation, fostering collaboration between government and non-government entities through initiatives like the National Space Innovation and Applications (NSIL) and In-SPACe. This collaboration has driven India’s space economy to USD 8 billion, with projections to surge to USD 44 billion in the near future.
The Minister also highlighted the government’s commitment to space development, noting a 138.93% increase in India’s space budget from Rs 5,615 crores in 2013-14 to Rs 13,416 crores in the recent budget. Additionally, ISRO’s 100th satellite launch, the NAVIC satellite, marked a significant milestone in India’s space journey.
Singh lauded India’s burgeoning space startup ecosystem, which has grown from one to more than 300 startups, positioning India as a key revenue generator in the global space market. India has launched 433 foreign satellites, generating USD 192 million and Euro 272 million in revenue since 2014.
Looking ahead, Singh shared India’s ambitious roadmap for space exploration. Trials for the Gaganyaan Mission, India’s first human spaceflight mission, are set to begin with the ROBO Mission by the end of 2025. By 2035, India aims to establish the Bharat Antariksh Station, and Singh declared India’s goal to send its first astronaut to the Moon by 2040. Singh also touched upon India’s advancements in AI, quantum technology, and bioengineering, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to climate goals, space debris surveillance, and capture technologies.
