India marks 3rd National Space Day in Ahmedabad
India celebrated its third National Space Day on 23 August 2026, with the national event at ISRO's Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad under the theme 'Towards Viksit Bharat: Innovating, Collaborating and Aspiring to Global Space Leadership'.
Summary
India celebrated its third National Space Day on 23 August 2026, with the inaugural national event hosted by ISRO's Space Applications Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad. The 2026 theme is 'Towards Viksit Bharat: Innovating, Collaborating and Aspiring to Global Space Leadership'. Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was chief guest, and ISRO Chairman Dr V. Narayanan presided, with IN-SPACe Chairman Dr Pawan Kumar Goenka also present. The day marks the soft landing of Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander near the lunar south polar region on 23 August 2023. Narayanan said Ahmedabad was chosen for its Space Applications Centre and fast-growing start-up ecosystem, and that the 2020 space sector reforms have led to more than 440 space start-ups.
Key facts
- Date
- 23 Aug 2026 (3rd edition)
- National event
- Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad
- Theme
- Towards Viksit Bharat: Innovating, Collaborating and Aspiring to Global Space Leadership
- Chief guest
- Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
- Commemorates
- Chandrayaan-3 Vikram landing, 23 Aug 2023
- Start-ups
- 440+ space start-ups since 2020 reforms
Practice MCQs 5 questions
Which edition of National Space Day did India celebrate on 23 August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 3rd
23 August 2026 was the third National Space Day, after the day was declared following Chandrayaan-3's landing in 2023.
Which city hosted the national event of National Space Day 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Ahmedabad
The inaugural national event was held at ISRO's Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad.
What is the theme of National Space Day 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Towards Viksit Bharat: Innovating, Collaborating and Aspiring to Global Space Leadership
The 2026 theme is 'Towards Viksit Bharat: Innovating, Collaborating and Aspiring to Global Space Leadership'.
Who was the chief guest at the national event of the 3rd National Space Day in August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was chief guest; ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan presided and Gujarat minister Arjun Modhwadia was guest of honour.
Consider the following statements made at the National Space Day 2026 event: 1. Ahmedabad was chosen as host because of the Space Applications Centre and the start-up ecosystem around the city. 2. India's space sector reforms were rolled out in 2023, after the Chandrayaan-3 landing. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The space sector reforms were rolled out in 2020 and have led to more than 440 space start-ups.