The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous nodal agency and an institution under the Department of Space (DoS), Government of India. Its establishment was officially announced in June 2020 by the Government of India, with the Union Cabinet approving its creation as part of major reforms to liberalise and commercialise the space sector. The agency became operational in 2022, with its headquarters in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It was created to solve the problem of integrating Non-Governmental Private Entities (NGPEs) into India's space activities, allowing the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to focus on research, technology development, and national missions.
IN-SPACe functions as a single-window agency for regulating and facilitating private sector participation. Its mechanism involves three core functions: promotion, authorisation, and supervision of all private space activities, including the construction of launch vehicles and satellites, and the provision of space-based services. Crucially, it facilitates the sharing of ISRO's infrastructure, facilities, and expertise, such as testing centres and launch pads, with private entities. This authorisation and supervision mechanism is vital for India to meet its international obligations under the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, specifically Article VI, which mandates that States bear international responsibility for national activities in space, including those by non-governmental entities, requiring their authorization and continuing supervision.
IN-SPACe connects directly to ISRO, acting as a bridge between the national agency and private players. It also works alongside NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), which is the commercial arm of ISRO. The Indian Space Policy 2023 has recently solidified its role, positioning IN-SPACe as the key regulator and authorising body for all non-governmental space activities. The creation of IN-SPACe did not replace a single body but marked a fundamental shift in the structure of the DoS to enable a public-private partnership framework.