Space sector debate: BJP counters Congress's privatisation charge with growth data

New Delhi, August 24: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has rejected the Congress party's allegation that the Narendra Modi government is pursuing an “aggressive privatisation agenda” in India's space sector. Responding to a social media post by Congress MP Jairam Ramesh, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said the space programme has evolved from a largely government-led initiative into a broader ecosystem involving ISRO, private industry, and startups.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Ramesh wrote on X: “It is abundantly clear that like in nuclear energy, the Modi Govt. has an aggressive privatisation agenda for the space programme as well.” The Congress leader's comment came amid ongoing discussions about the role of private players in India's space ambitions.

In his response, Mr. Bhandari said the numbers reflect a story of expansion, not privatisation. He noted that before 2014, ISRO had launched 35 foreign satellites. By January 2026, that number had risen to 399. He also said the number of space startups in India grew from just one in 2014 to 440 by August 2026.

Mr. Bhandari said private investment in the sector was approximately $100.5 million in 2021-22, and had grown nearly six-fold by March 2026. He also highlighted the financial performance of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO's commercial arm, whose revenue rose from ₹321.77 crore in 2021-22 to about ₹3,000 crore in 2024-25 — an increase of more than eight times.

The BJP spokesperson pointed to India's achievements, including being the first country to soft-land near the Moon's south polar region. He also mentioned progress in launch vehicle technology, from SLV/ASLV and PSLV/GSLV to LVM3/GSLV Mk-III, SSLV, and next-generation systems. He said work is ongoing on reusable launch vehicle technology, scramjet propulsion, and heavy-lift capabilities.

Mr. Bhandari further emphasised that the opening of the space sector has allowed private companies to move from being suppliers to developers of rockets, satellites, and complete space systems. He cited the example of Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1, which reached orbit in July 2026 as India's first privately developed orbital rocket, calling it “a powerful example of this new era.”

ISRO has provided India with a strong technological foundation over the decades, Mr. Bhandari said. He added that the government's reforms aim to build on that legacy by enabling ISRO, private industry, startups, and investment to grow together. “The emerging national space ecosystem is not a weakening of ISRO's legacy, but an expansion of India's space ambitions,” he said.

The exchange highlights a broader debate over the pace and nature of space sector reforms. The government has maintained that private participation is essential for accelerating growth and innovation. Critics, however, have expressed concern about possible neglect of core ISRO capabilities and the long-term implications of privatisation in strategic sectors.