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The countdown continues for the 5th edition of the India Space Congress 2026, with the abstract submission deadline now officially extended to 15 April 2026. The extension provides additional time for young academicians, industry professionals, and policymakers under the age of 30 to submit their original research and innovative ideas. As a premier platform fostering global dialogue in the space sector, ISC 2026 seeks to amplify youth voices and encourage meaningful contributions across policy, technology, and industry domains. The Global Call for Papers, being conducted in collaboration with KITS’ Centre of Excellence (CoE), further reinforces the focus on research-driven capacity building and nurturing the next generation of space professionals.

Participants will have the opportunity to present their work before global experts, contribute to impactful discussions, and gain significant professional visibility. Selected entries will also compete for cash awards worth ₹1 lakh, offering both recognition and career-defining exposure. Aspiring contributors are encouraged to leverage this extended deadline and take a step toward shaping the future of space innovation.

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A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology has identified critical structural and regulatory gaps in India’s space ecosystem, calling for targeted reforms to strengthen governance, commercialisation, and long-term sectoral growth. A key concern highlighted in the report relates to the pricing of technology transfers, where publicly developed space technologies are being transferred to private entities at disproportionately low costs. The Committee noted that in several cases, the originating agencies receive only a marginal share of the commercial value. It recommended market-linked pricing frameworks, clear valuation guidelines, and third-party audits to ensure transparency and equitable value realisation. The Committee also reiterated the urgent need for a comprehensive space legislation, noting that India still lacks a dedicated legal framework to regulate private sector participation. It called for the introduction of a robust regulatory regime alongside streamlined approval mechanisms to avoid duplication and delays. SIA-India welcomes the renewed emphasis on drafting a comprehensive Space Activities Bill, a long-standing industry priority. As the sector continues to open up, a clear and predictable legal framework will be critical to enabling private investment, ensuring regulatory certainty, and aligning India with global best practices.

While the reported utilisation of 78.23% points to execution challenges, it also highlights the need to reorient funding mechanisms toward faster deployment and greater industry participation, ensuring that financial allocations translate more effectively into ecosystem growth. In terms of infrastructure, the Committee stressed the need to scale up India’s launch capacity in response to increasing demand. It recommended expediting key projects such as the Third Launch Pad at Sriharikota and the SSLV launch complex at Kulasekarapattinam, while also addressing ageing infrastructure constraints. The report further underscored the importance of advancing indigenous technological capabilities, particularly in the development of semi-cryogenic engines, while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for critical components such as atomic clocks.

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ISRO has successfully advanced its reusable launch vehicle (RLV) programme through a series of autonomous landing experiments (RLV-LEX), marking a key milestone in India’s push toward cost-efficient space transportation.

Conducted at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, the winged RLV demonstrator autonomously executed approach manoeuvres, corrected cross-range and downrange deviations, and achieved precise runway landings without human intervention. The experiments validated advanced guidance, navigation, and control systems, including multi-sensor fusion using inertial navigation, radar altimeters, and NavIC-based positioning for accurate trajectory correction.

Notably, the reuse of the same flight systems and vehicle configuration across missions demonstrated the robustness and reusability potential of the platform. Designed as a spaceplane-like system combining the complexities of both aircraft and launch vehicles, the RLV programme aims to enable low-cost, reliable, and on-demand access to space, strengthening India’s competitiveness in the global launch market.

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SIA-India, in partnership with MERI Group of Institutions, will co-host the conference “Planet Earth in the Space Age: Climate Change, Natural Disasters, and Planetary Resilience” on 17 April 2026 in MERI Group of Institutes, Janakpuri, New Delhi. The conference will convene stakeholders from industry, government, academia, and the research community to examine the growing role of space technologies in addressing environmental and climate challenges. Discussions will focus on Earth Observation for climate monitoring, space-enabled disaster management, and the integration of AI, big data, and geospatial analytics in decision-making. The forum aims to strengthen industry–academia–government collaboration, identify actionable pathways for climate resilience, and promote greater adoption of space-enabled solutions in environmental governance.

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To register, contact: Mr Kush Aggarwal: kush.aggarwal@meri.edu.in
Ms Kaushiki Singh: kaushiki.singh@sia-india.com

Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri, President, SIA-India and Chairman of Ananth Technologies, led a high-level 15-member Indian space industry delegation to Russia on March 19–20, 2026. The visit, organised by Anoop Srivastava at the Indian Embassy in Moscow, facilitated key engagements between Indian and Russian stakeholders across the space ecosystem. The delegation’s interactions are expected to pave the way for enhanced bilateral cooperation, fostering strategic partnerships and expanding opportunities for collaboration in emerging and critical areas of the space sector.

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At the Space Diplomacy Forum 2026 hosted by Meridian International Center, Mr Anil Prakash represented the Indian space ecosystem in a high-level panel discussion on Public-Private Alignment for Orbital Stewardship and Space Standards. The discussion brought together perspectives from emerging space nations, including India, New Zealand, and Taiwan, focusing on ensuring that outer space remains safe, sustainable, and accessible for future generations. Emphasising the importance of proactive industry participation, Mr. Prakash highlighted that the private sector must play a defining role in advancing space sustainability. He referenced the New Delhi Declaration on Space Sustainability and Debris Mitigation, an industry-led initiative by SIA-India and NABHAH, which outlines a six-pillar action plan to promote responsible space operations. The declaration aims to provide policymakers with a comprehensive roadmap to ensure that all space missions, from launch to end-of-life—are conducted responsibly. The discussion underscored the growing importance of collaborative, industry-driven frameworks in shaping global norms for orbital stewardship.

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At SatShow 2026, Anil Prakash, Director General, SIA-India, engaged with key global decision-makers through a series of high-level industry interactions. These engagements took place at a pivotal time, as India’s space sector continues its transition toward greater commercialisation and enhanced regulatory clarity. The discussions held during SatShow 2026 highlighted the growing importance of international collaborations in enabling technology exchange, market access, and strategic partnerships. SIA-India’s participation reinforced its role as the voice of the Indian space industry on the global stage, contributing to meaningful dialogue and advancing opportunities for cross-border cooperation.