India is observing its second National Space Day on August 23, 2025. This day commemorates the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon on August 23, 2023, a feat that made India the fourth country to achieve a soft lunar landing and the first to land near the Moon's south pole. The declaration of National Space Day by Prime Minister Narendra Modi recognizes this achievement and inspires national pride in India's growing space capabilities.
The growth of India's space sector has been significantly boosted by the participation of private players. The number of space startups in India has surged from a mere 2 in 2014 to over 350 by 2021. By mid-2025, this number remained above 300, with these startups involved in various activities, including developing launch vehicles and designing satellites. This remarkable growth is a testament to the government's efforts to open up the space sector to private investment and innovation.
In 2020, the government created the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) to promote private companies in the space sector. IN-SPACe has supported sub-orbital test flights by Indian startups. This initiative aims to increase India's annual space revenue to $44 billion by 2033. The Union Cabinet has also approved the creation of a venture capital fund of ₹1,000 crore to further boost India's space sector.
Several Indian space startups are making significant strides in the industry. Skyroot Aerospace, founded by ex-ISRO scientists, achieved a milestone by launching Vikram-S, India's first private suborbital rocket, in November 2022. In August 2025, Skyroot successfully test-fired the Kalam-1200 first-stage solid booster and is preparing for the Vikram-1 orbital launch. Agnikul Cosmos is another notable startup, having developed India's first 3D-printed, single-piece engine and planning to establish a rocket manufacturing and testing facility in Tamil Nadu. Pixxel is building a constellation of hyperspectral imaging satellites for Earth observation. Dhruva Space specializes in providing integrated solutions for space-based applications. InspeCity offers satellite life-enhancing and deorbiting services.
These startups are not only contributing to India's space program but also gaining international recognition. Skyroot partnered with Axiom Space to expand access to low-Earth orbit. Some Indian companies are also setting up facilities in the United States to access the American market. ISRO is also transferring technology for its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to private firms.
The theme for National Space Day 2025 is "Innovating Space Technology to achieve Sustainable Development". This theme highlights the role of space technology in addressing environmental concerns, managing natural resources, and promoting socio-economic growth. The National Meet 2025 is held with the theme "Leveraging Space Technology and Applications for Viksit Bharat 2047". As India celebrates National Space Day, the focus is on the country's progress in space exploration and the growing contributions of private players to the space sector.
