← 25 October 2026's Current Affairs · Science & Tech GA Prelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★☆☆☆
ISRO will not be privatised, says chairperson
Why in News?
ISRO says it won't be privatised: the IN-SPACe and NSIL roles GS-III Space answers must separate
ISRO chief rules out privatisation despite growing private participation.
Why it matters: factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 min read
ISRO chairperson V.
Narayanan said contributions from private companies should not be misread as privatisation of the space agency.
Sources: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
Key facts
Remember these
- ISRO chairperson V. Narayanan said private participation should not be misread as privatisation of ISRO.
- ISRO is headquartered in Bengaluru and functions under the Department of Space, which reports directly to the Prime Minister.
- IN-SPACe, set up in 2020, is the single-window authorisation and promotion agency for private space activity.
- NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is the public sector commercial arm of the Department of Space.
- The 2020 space sector reforms opened launch, satellite and ground-segment activities to non-government entities.
Prelims · Mains
How the exam will ask it
Prelims
- IN-SPACe is the autonomous nodal agency that authorises and promotes private-sector space activities in India.
- NewSpace India Limited is the commercial arm of the Department of Space and markets ISRO's products and services.
- The Department of Space functions under the Prime Minister, and ISRO is its principal research and development agency.
Mains
GS-III (Science and Technology, Space). Private participation in space, enabled by the 2020 reforms and IN-SPACe, expands capacity, lowers launch costs and encourages start-ups. ISRO's role shifts towards R&D, strategic missions and human spaceflight, while industry handles manufacturing and commercial services. The way forward is a clear regulatory framework (space activities law), liability norms and technology transfer, so that public capability is strengthened and not displaced.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
Wheat under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS), for which Karnataka's flour mills sought a higher allocation, is sold through e-auctions run by:
- NAFED
- NCCF
- Food Corporation of India
- Central Warehousing Corporation
Show answer
Answer: C — Correct: Food Corporation of India — Right: the FCI conducts the OMSS e-auctions of wheat. • NAFED — Wrong: NAFED handles procurement of pulses and oilseeds and market intervention, not OMSS wheat auctions. • NCCF — Wrong: NCCF is a consumer cooperative federation. • Central Warehousing Corporation — Wrong: CWC provides warehousing, not sales.
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