Seven space laboratories to be set up in universities in first phase; private space investment crosses USD 600 million
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on 26 April 2026 reviewed plans to set up space laboratories in universities and colleges, with seven labs in the first phase, as private investment in India's space sector crossed USD 600 million in five years and startups passed 400.
Summary
Space laboratories will be set up in universities and colleges across India, with seven in the first phase, to give students hands-on exposure to satellite systems, rocketry and mission design, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said after a review on 26 April 2026. The review followed a briefing by IN-SPACe Chairman Pawan Goenka, who reported that India's space sector has attracted over USD 600 million of private investment in the past five years and that space startups have grown from single digits in 2019 to over 400 by early 2026. Support measures include a ₹1,000 crore venture capital fund being operationalised with SIDBI, a ₹500 crore Technology Adoption Fund and seed grants of up to ₹1 crore.
Key facts
- Space labs
- In universities/colleges; 7 in first phase
- Private investment
- Over USD 600 million in five years
- Startups
- Single digit (2019) → over 400 (early 2026)
- VC fund
- ₹1,000 crore, with SIDBI
- Technology Adoption Fund
- ₹500 crore
- Seed grants
- Up to ₹1 crore
- IN-SPACe Chairman
- Pawan Goenka
Practice MCQs 3 questions
How many space laboratories in universities and colleges will be set up in the first phase, as reviewed on 26 April 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Seven
Seven space labs will be established in the first phase.
With which institution is the ₹1,000 crore venture capital fund for space startups being operationalised?
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Correct answer: D — SIDBI
The ₹1,000 crore venture capital fund is being operationalised with SIDBI to support growth-stage startups.
Consider the following statements about India's space sector as briefed by IN-SPACe in April 2026: 1. Private investment in the sector has exceeded USD 600 million over the past five years. 2. The number of space startups has crossed 1,000. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: space startups grew to over 400 by early 2026.