India's Space Vision Bolstered by Budget Increase

The Indian government has demonstrated its commitment to advancing space exploration and satellite technology by allocating a significant budget increase to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the fiscal year 2025-26. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has earmarked Rs 13,416 crore for the Department of Space, up from the previous year's allocation of Rs 13,042 crore. This includes Rs 6,103 crore for capital expenditure and Rs 7,312 crore for revenue expenditure, reflecting a focused effort on supporting the sector's infrastructure and operational needs.

Strategic Investments in Space Technology

With ISRO planning a series of significant space missions, the budget also highlights strategic investments in geospatial capabilities and satellite technology. The allocation for ISRO's commercial arm, NSIL, has been increased from Rs 950 crore to Rs 1,030 crore, supporting the growing frequency of commercial satellite launches. Additionally, the government has announced the launch of the National Geospatial Mission, aligned with the PM Gati Shakti initiative, and reduced customs duty to zero on key components used in satellite installation and launch vehicle construction.