UPSC Prelims 2026 Q46: IN-SPACe, Agnikul & Skyroot — Explained

Consider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in India's space programme:

1. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous agency formed to facilitate participation of private entities.

2. Agnikul Cosmos launched the world's first flight using 3D-printed rocket engine.

3. Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid fuel for GSLV.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 2 only
1, 2 and 3

Answer: (c) 1 and 2 only

Statement-wise explanation

1: correct — The Union Cabinet approved space-sector reforms on 24 June 2020 and created the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) as an autonomous agency in the Department of Space. It is a single-window nodal agency. It promotes, authorises and supervises the space activities of Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) and lets them use ISRO's facilities. Its whole purpose is to bring private entities into the space programme.
2: correct — On 30 May 2024, Agnikul Cosmos, a start-up incubated at IIT Madras, launched Agnibaan SOrTeD (Sub-Orbital Technological Demonstrator) from its own launch pad at Sriharikota. PIB described it as the world's first rocket flight powered by a single-piece, fully 3D-printed engine. The flight was also India's first flight of a semi-cryogenic engine. Rocket Lab's Electron already used engines with 3D-printed parts, so the 'world first' applies to the single-piece engine. UPSC accepted the statement as correct.
3: incorrect — Skyroot Aerospace builds its own Vikram series of rockets and has not developed fuel for ISRO's GSLV. In 2022, Vikram-S became India's first privately built rocket, and Vikram-1 uses solid-fuel Kalam motors, a liquid Raman upper-stage engine and a 3D-printed engine. GSLV's liquid stages use the ISRO-developed Vikas engine burning UDMH and N2O4, and its cryogenic upper stage burns liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre developed these, not a private firm.

How to eliminate

Statement 1 is the anchor. Anyone who has followed the 2020 space reforms knows that IN-SPACe exists to bring private players into the space sector. That removes the option '2 and 3 only'. Statement 3 can be judged from basic knowledge of ISRO. GSLV is ISRO's own launcher, and its liquid and cryogenic stages were developed in-house by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre over decades. A start-up founded in 2018 supplying 'liquid fuel for GSLV' does not fit, and Skyroot is known for its own Vikram rockets. Dropping statement 3 removes '1, 2 and 3', which leaves '1 only' or '1 and 2 only'. To choose between them you have to know that Agnikul's May 2024 flight used a single-piece 3D-printed engine. Remember these pairs: Agnikul = Agnibaan, 3D-printed semi-cryogenic engine, own launch pad at Sriharikota. Skyroot = Vikram-S (first private rocket, 2022) and Vikram-1.

Know more

India's private space ecosystem: who does what

In June 2020 the government opened the space sector to private industry. It also redefined the roles of the state bodies:

Body	Nature	Role
ISRO	Research agency under the Department of Space	R&D, exploration, human spaceflight, new technologies
IN-SPACe	Autonomous single-window agency in the Department of Space (2020)	Promotes, authorises and supervises activities of Non-Governmental Entities; lets them share ISRO facilities
NSIL (NewSpace India Ltd)	Central Public Sector Enterprise of the Department of Space (2019)	Commercialises ISRO technology; demand-driven satellite and launch services

The Indian Space Policy 2023 opened the whole value chain to private firms: launch vehicles, satellites, ground stations and space-based services. In 2024 the Cabinet approved a ₹1,000 crore venture capital fund under IN-SPACe. Registered space start-ups grew from 1 in 2014 to more than 400.

Key private launch-vehicle firms

Company	Base	Milestones
Skyroot Aerospace	Hyderabad	Vikram-S (18 Nov 2022, Mission Prarambh): India's first privately built rocket, authorised by IN-SPACe. Vikram-1, an orbital rocket, flew in 2026. Its engines are named Kalam (solid), Raman (liquid) and Dhawan (cryogenic, LNG + LOX)
Agnikul Cosmos	Chennai (IIT Madras incubated)	Agnibaan SOrTeD (30 May 2024): single-piece 3D-printed Agnilet semi-cryogenic engine, first private launch pad (Dhanush) at Sriharikota, first controlled-ascent flight from India

Propellant basics: solid motors burn a pre-cast mix of fuel and oxidiser. Earth-storable liquid engines such as Vikas burn UDMH with N2O4. Semi-cryogenic engines burn refined kerosene with liquid oxygen. Cryogenic engines burn liquid hydrogen with liquid oxygen.

In the news

Private space firms were in the news through 2024–26. Agnikul's 3D-printed-engine flight in May 2024 was followed by the ₹1,000 crore IN-SPACe venture fund, the Space Policy 2023 rollout, and the build-up to Skyroot's Vikram-1 orbital launch. Parliament replies and PIB releases on IN-SPACe authorisations kept the topic current.

NCERT Concepts to Revise

Space economy: All three statements test how India's space economy is being opened up, from IN-SPACe's authorisation role to start-ups building their own rockets and engines.
Private sector: Each statement concerns a private-sector player: IN-SPACe's role toward Non-Governmental Entities, Agnikul's Agnibaan SOrTeD flight, and Skyroot's link, if any, to ISRO's GSLV.
Sunrise industry: Start-ups like Agnikul and Skyroot show private space launch as a sunrise industry, so their actual milestones, like 3D-printed engines and Vikram rockets, need precise recall.