The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the national space agency of India, functioning as a government institution and the principal research and development arm of the Department of Space (DoS). Its core purpose is the development and application of space technology for national needs, such as communication, remote sensing, and navigation.
ISRO was formally established on August 15, 1969, superseding the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR). INCOSPAR was initially set up in 1962 by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, based on the vision of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, who sought to harness space technology for the development of a young nation. ISRO was brought under the newly created DoS in 1972.
The organisation works by designing, developing, and operating launch vehicles, such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), and satellite systems like the INSAT and IRS series. Launch vehicles are developed at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), while satellites are designed at the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC).
ISRO is a constituent of the DoS, which is overseen by the Prime Minister. It connects to its commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), and the regulatory body, the Indian National Space Promotion & Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe). The Indian Space Policy - 2023 introduced a major change, mandating that ISRO focus on research and development, while transferring mature systems to industry for commercial exploitation. This policy also established IN-SPACe as the single-window nodal agency to promote and authorize space activities by Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs). A recent administrative change in July 2026 saw the DoS centralize the approval of resignations and voluntary retirements for senior technical personnel working on key missions like Gaganyaan, reversing a decentralized framework from 2020.