Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh arrived at The Forum, Hotel and Convention, Shela, Ahmedabad, on Thursday, 11 June 2026, for a high-level conclave titled 'IN-SPACe: Sealing India's Space Aspirations', convened to advance the country's private-sector space agenda.

Context

The minister was received alongside two of India's top space officials: Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), and Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The gathering of ministerial and institutional leadership under one roof signals the importance the government attaches to accelerating the privatisation of India's space economy.

Dr. Singh confirmed his arrival and the presence of both chairmen in a post on X, accompanied by three images from the venue in Ahmedabad's Shela locality.

Policy Backdrop

IN-SPACe was formally established in 2020 as an autonomous nodal agency under the Department of Space, designed to function as a single-window authority for licensing, technology transfer and demand aggregation for non-government entities seeking to participate in space activities. Its creation was a cornerstone of the government's push to open the sector under the Atmanirbhar Bharat framework.

The Indian Space Policy 2023 further delineated roles: IN-SPACe handles promotion and authorisation of private players, while ISRO pivots toward deeper science missions and the country's human spaceflight programme. Together, the two bodies are expected to catalyse a significant expansion of India's space economy through private satellite manufacturing, launch services and space-data applications.

Dr. Pawan Goenka, who chairs IN-SPACe, brings a background as former Managing Director of Mahindra and Mahindra, with deep experience in industrial scaling and technology deployment — credentials seen as well-suited to building a commercially viable space ecosystem.

Stakeholders and Impact

The Ahmedabad conclave is part of a broader series of IN-SPACe outreach programmes aimed at space startups, private aerospace firms, and academic institutions across India. For startups seeking launch vehicle licences or satellite constellation approvals, direct engagement with IN-SPACe and ISRO leadership at such forums can accelerate regulatory clarity and partnership opportunities.

Gujarat itself has emerged as a growing hub for aerospace and defence manufacturing, making Ahmedabad a strategically apt location for such an event. The presence of the Union Minister alongside both chairmen is likely to draw significant attention from private investors and industry stakeholders eyeing the sector.

What's Next

Observers will watch for announcements on IN-SPACe licensing guidelines for private launch vehicles and satellite constellations, as well as any progress updates on the long-pending Space Activities Bill, which is expected to provide a comprehensive legislative framework for commercial space operations in India. The outcomes and specific announcements from this conclave, once officially disclosed, will be closely tracked by the private space industry.

As India positions itself to capture a larger share of the global space economy — currently estimated in the hundreds of billions of dollars — events such as this one in Ahmedabad represent a deliberate effort to translate policy intent into commercial momentum.