Latest news with #SpaceIndustrialPolicy
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Why has Tamil Nadu adopted a space sector policy?
The story so far: On April 17, the Tamil Nadu Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in Chennai, approved the Space Industrial Policy, thereby following Karnataka and Gujarat in formulating a State-specific document to stimulate development and woo investments in the space sector, which encompasses satellite manufacturing, launch services, and satellite services. In 2023, the Union government came out with the Indian Space Policy 2023 to provide a framework to support the space ecosystem. How is Tamil Nadu placed? The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has established an ISRO propulsion complex (IRPC) in Mahendragiri of Tirunelveli district. Apart from handling and testing earth storable propellant engines, cryogenic engines and stages for launch vehicles, the IRPC conducts research and development (R&D) and technology development programmes. ISRO is also establishing the country's second spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi. This strategic initiative aims to enhance India's space capabilities and facilitate satellite launches. The State is also home to various space startups, which are working on subdomains such as launch vehicles, reusable launch vehicles, in-space refuelling, in-space manufacturing and multi-payload data fusion from satellites, as per the Space Industrial Policy. Additionally, the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Tiruchi, hosts the southern region's Space Technology Incubation Centre (STIC), playing a pivotal role in undertaking developmental projects of the ISRO. What triggered the policy? The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), a body created by the Department of Space at the Centre for promoting, authorising and overseeing the activities of Non-Government Entities (NGEs) in the sector, had suggested to the State government to come out with a document, says a senior official. Even as the State government produced the Aerospace and Defence (A&D) Industrial Policy three years ago, it identified space as one of the priority areas. Additionally, the State has a vendor base with over 250 vendors catering to the requirements of the ISRO. The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IN-SPACe to enable startups and established companies to launch manufacturing related activities and services, design and R&D, strategic electronics manufacturing and space-grade components. What does Policy want to achieve? Aimed at attracting ₹10,000 crore investments in the next five years, the document, according to the government, may pave the way for the generation of direct and indirect employment for nearly 10,000 persons in the given period. The Policy has been prepared, keeping in mind the need for leveraging the State's strengths in electronics, precision manufacturing and related sectors, and integrating space technologies into Tamil Nadu's governance to improve citizens' quality of life. Space technologies have immense applications in departments such as disaster management, fisheries, agriculture, transport, revenue, health, and municipal administration. The State government would provide a payroll subsidy for companies that are involved in R&D or that would establish global capability centres in the space sector. The government will also notify select regions as Space Bays for offering structured packages of incentives to firms that plan to do investments below ₹300 crore. Additionally, space industrial park developers will be eligible for an industrial housing incentive of 10% on the cost of developing residential facilities within the industrial park over 10 years, subject to a ceiling of ₹10 crore. Those undertaking green and sustainable initiatives will be eligible for a 25% subsidy on the cost of capital for such initiatives, subject to a ceiling of ₹5 crore.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Indian states are in a race to board space-tech wagon
After battling for IT parks, electronics clusters, and semiconductor fabs, Indian states are now setting their sights far beyond – on the space ecosystem. Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and others are busy drafting space policies, setting up space parks, and offering sweeteners to attract private space companies and competition is likely to drive investments and create specialised hubs, according to Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (In-SPACe), the nodal agency to promote private investment in the space industry, and startups that ET spoke with. States also see an opportunity to gain priority access to central projects, funding, and tie-ups with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) by preparing the ground, showing initiative with land, infrastructure, ease of business, and policy support, industry watchers said. 'State governments have been actively engaging with spacetech startups and holding consultations. They are encouraging them to establish manufacturing or operational bases within their territories,' said Rohan Ganapathy, co-chairman of the CII National Committee on Space and CEO of Bellatrix Aerospace. While Bengaluru has led the private space ecosystem in the last decade, policies and invitations from other states are creating strong competition for Karnataka, demanding rapid acceleration, he said. With the Indian space industry aiming to grow to $44 billion by 2033 and capture 8% of the global market, states are keen to explore revenue generation through investments, industry experts said. Space pie that states want A Gujarat government official said it has already received two proposals from electronic component manufacturers to make space-graded components. Gujarat's plan to set up a satellite launchpad in either Dholera or Kutch has garnered the attention of the space industry. The state has linked its spacetech policy to its existing Gujarat Electronics Policy and Gujarat IT/ITeS Policy. Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (Tidco) managing director Sandeep Nanduri said the state has leverage over others due to its strong base in electronics, automotive, and heavy manufacturing. The state's 'Space Industrial Policy' will focus on spacetech services across upstream and downstream. Tamil Nadu aims to provide better subsidies and a talent pool, Nanduri said without revealing exact details. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis's announcement of introducing a spacetech policy in the next three months was the latest entrant to the domain. Bengaluru-headquartered Digantara said while states are not actively driving demand, they are keen to align with central government policies. 'We have had talks with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to set up satellite manufacturing and assembly lines but have not finalised any plans yet,' its CEO Anirudh Sharma said. Digantara is evaluating which state offers the best manufacturing subsidies, as the cost of setting up facilities remains high in India. Early investment will pay off The demand for spacetech is still in the nascent stages within India. Most startups are looking at the US or European markets to grow their revenues. Industry experts said states are betting on future readiness and also find the domain aspirational, which grabs a lot of eyeballs. Earlier, ET had reported that startups such as Bellatrix Aerospace, Pixxel Space, and Digantara have set up shop in the US to benefit from non-price-sensitive markets. 'There's a bit of FOMO (fear of missing out) happening too,' said Apurwa Masook, CEO of IISc-incubated SpaceFields. 'No state wants to be the one that doesn't prepare for the next technology boom.' The startup is developing India's first aerospike rocket engine. 'By moving early, they can anchor clusters to create a gravitational pull for global and ancillary companies,' Masook added. In-SPACe director (promotions) Vinod Kumar said, 'Incentives are crucial in attracting investments, especially for high-tech industries like space.' States offering strong incentives—tax breaks, subsidies, or a single-window approval process—will create an ecosystem within their states, he said. While this decentralised growth is a positive signal for innovation and employment, it also demands careful management, Indian Space Association (ISpA) director general, Lt Gen (retd) AK Bhatt said. 'It is essential that state space policies do not lead to fragmentation or duplication, but be a harbinger of added opportunities and fair competition for the growing space sector,' he said. 'Areas like spectrum management, orbital slots, and ITU-level engagements must and will remain coordinated through central authorities.'
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Indian states are in a race to board space-tech wagon
This competition is likely to drive investments and create specialised hubs, according to Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (In-SPACe), the nodal agency to promote private investment in the space industry, and startups that ET spoke with. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads After battling for IT parks, electronics clusters, and semiconductor fabs, Indian states are now setting their sights far beyond – on the space ecosystem. Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and others are busy drafting space policies, setting up space parks, and offering sweeteners to attract private space companies and competition is likely to drive investments and create specialised hubs, according to Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (In-SPACe), the nodal agency to promote private investment in the space industry, and startups that ET spoke also see an opportunity to gain priority access to central projects, funding, and tie-ups with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) by preparing the ground, showing initiative with land, infrastructure, ease of business, and policy support, industry watchers said.'State governments have been actively engaging with spacetech startups and holding consultations. They are encouraging them to establish manufacturing or operational bases within their territories,' said Rohan Ganapathy, co-chairman of the CII National Committee on Space and CEO of Bellatrix Bengaluru has led the private space ecosystem in the last decade, policies and invitations from other states are creating strong competition for Karnataka, demanding rapid acceleration, he the Indian space industry aiming to grow to $44 billion by 2033 and capture 8% of the global market, states are keen to explore revenue generation through investments, industry experts said.A Gujarat government official said it has already received two proposals from electronic component manufacturers to make space-graded components. Gujarat's plan to set up a satellite launchpad in either Dholera or Kutch has garnered the attention of the space industry. The state has linked its spacetech policy to its existing Gujarat Electronics Policy and Gujarat IT/ITeS Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (Tidco) managing director Sandeep Nanduri said the state has leverage over others due to its strong base in electronics, automotive, and heavy manufacturing. The state's 'Space Industrial Policy' will focus on spacetech services across upstream and Nadu aims to provide better subsidies and a talent pool, Nanduri said without revealing exact chief minister Devendra Fadnavis's announcement of introducing a spacetech policy in the next three months was the latest entrant to the Digantara said while states are not actively driving demand, they are keen to align with central government policies. 'We have had talks with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to set up satellite manufacturing and assembly lines but have not finalised any plans yet,' its CEO Anirudh Sharma is evaluating which state offers the best manufacturing subsidies, as the cost of setting up facilities remains high in demand for spacetech is still in the nascent stages within India. Most startups are looking at the US or European markets to grow their revenues. Industry experts said states are betting on future readiness and also find the domain aspirational, which grabs a lot of ET had reported that startups such as Bellatrix Aerospace, Pixxel Space, and Digantara have set up shop in the US to benefit from non-price-sensitive markets.'There's a bit of FOMO (fear of missing out) happening too,' said Apurwa Masook, CEO of IISc-incubated SpaceFields. 'No state wants to be the one that doesn't prepare for the next technology boom.'The startup is developing India's first aerospike rocket engine. 'By moving early, they can anchor clusters to create a gravitational pull for global and ancillary companies,' Masook director (promotions) Vinod Kumar said, 'Incentives are crucial in attracting investments, especially for high-tech industries like space.' States offering strong incentives—tax breaks, subsidies, or a single-window approval process—will create an ecosystem within their states, he this decentralised growth is a positive signal for innovation and employment, it also demands careful management, Indian Space Association (ISpA) director general, Lt Gen (retd) AK Bhatt said.'It is essential that state space policies do not lead to fragmentation or duplication, but be a harbinger of added opportunities and fair competition for the growing space sector,' he said. 'Areas like spectrum management, orbital slots, and ITU-level engagements must and will remain coordinated through central authorities.'
