'ISRO legacy being expanded': BJP hits back at Cong over space sector 'privatisation' charge

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Monday hit back at the Congress for accusing the Modi government of pursuing an "aggressive privatisation agenda" in the space sector, asserting that India's space programme has expanded from a predominantly government-led initiative into a growing ecosystem comprising ISRO, private industry and hundreds of startups.

The remarks came after Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh accused the government of "strangulating and emasculating" the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and pursuing an aggressive privatisation agenda for the space programme just as it has for nuclear energy.

Ramesh claimed recent reports about ISRO's future role in India's space programme raised "legitimate concerns", given the capabilities built by the organisation over six decades.

Responding to the Congress leader, BJP national spokesperson and national media co-in-charge Pradeep Bhandari said opening up the space sector has enabled private companies and startups to move from being suppliers to developers of rockets, satellites and complete space systems.

"From a largely government-driven programme to an emerging national space ecosystem. That is not the weakening of ISRO's legacy. It is the expansion of India's space ambition," Bhandari said in a post on X.

Citing data, he said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the space sector has expanded significantly, with the number of foreign satellites launched by ISRO rising from 35 before 2014 to 399 by January 2026.

The number of space startups, he added, has risen from one in 2014 to around 440 by August 2026, while private investment in the sector increased from USD 100.5 million in 2021-22 to USD 618.5 million by March 2026.

Bhandari also highlighted the increase in revenue of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), from Rs 321.77 crore in 2021-22 to around Rs 3,000 crore in 2024-25.

He cited the Chandrayaan-3 mission's soft landing near the Moon's south polar region and the development of launch vehicles such as LVM3 and SSLV as other milestones in India's space programme.

He cited Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 reaching orbit in July 2026 as an example of the growing role of private players in the sector.

"Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 reaching orbit in July 2026 as India's first privately developed orbital rocket to do so is a powerful example of this new era. ISRO gave India a formidable technological foundation over decades. The Modi government's reforms have sought to build on that legacy by enabling ISRO, private industry, startups and investment to grow together," he added.

Bhandari said the expansion of the space sector is "not the weakening of ISRO's legacy" but an expansion of India's space ambitions.

"Jairam ji, I understand your frustration with India's remarkable journey in space. But the numbers tell a story that is difficult to ignore," he said.