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GS3 · Space

Space economy $8.4 billion; 399 start-ups

1 min readScience & Technology
Battle IAS current affairs title card: Space economy $8.4 billion; 399 start-ups (GS3 · Space, 29 January 2026)
Asked by UPSCPrelims 20261 PYQ

UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.

What happened

  • The Minister told Rajya Sabha that India’s space economy is about $8.4 billion with 399 start-ups [PIB].

Background

  • He linked it to post-2019 reforms including IN-SPACe [PIB].

Why it matters

  • Private launch firms are the new base.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Science and technology developments and applications

  1. As per PIB (2026-01-29): the Minister told Rajya Sabha that India's space economy is about $8.4 billion with 399 start-ups.
  2. Private launch firms are the new base.
Quotable data point

The Minister told Rajya Sabha that India's space economy is about $8.4 billion with 399 start-ups.

PIB: Space economy, 29 Jan 2026

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: IN-SPACe.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

Space start-ups in India (Jan 2026)

Answer (c) & explanation

PIB.

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Official source: PIB: Space economy, 29 Jan 2026

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending