The Indian Space Policy 2023 is a national policy document approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security on April 6, 2023, that provides a comprehensive framework for India's space sector. Its origin lies in the necessity to transition the sector from a government-centric model, where the private sector was largely limited to being a vendor to ISRO, to a collaborative, market-driven ecosystem. The policy aims to institutionalize private sector participation to boost India's low share in the global space economy.
The policy works by clearly delineating the roles of three key entities: ISRO, IN-SPACe, and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). A key provision allows Non-Government Entities (NGEs) to undertake end-to-end activities, such as establishing and operating space objects and ground-based assets for communication and remote sensing. ISRO will now focus primarily on advanced Research & Development (R&D), proving new systems, and long-term missions like Gaganyaan, while transitioning out of manufacturing operational systems. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), established on June 24, 2020, functions as the single-window clearance and authorization agency for NGEs, creating a stable regulatory framework. NSIL, a Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Space, is tasked with commercializing mature systems and technologies developed by ISRO.
This policy is a significant departure from the previous government-dominated approach and follows earlier reform efforts, such as the lapsed Draft Space Activities Bill of 2017. It connects directly to the liberalization of the space sector that began in 2020 and aims to position India as a global space leader.