New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted India’s rapid progress in the space sector on National Space Day, underlining the growing role of young Indians in developing new technologies. He said the country’s space journey is increasingly being driven by innovation, entrepreneurship and the confidence of its younger generation, with youth making their mark across science, technology, manufacturing, space and other emerging fields.
National Space Day is observed on August 23 to commemorate the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon in 2023, which made India the first country to land near the lunar south pole. India’s space ecosystem has expanded significantly in recent years following reforms that opened the sector to private companies and startups. According to the government, the number of registered space startups has grown to around 440 in 2026, while the country’s space economy has reached an estimated $9 billion.
The Prime Minister has also stressed that India’s young innovators can play a decisive role in taking the country towards global space leadership. Recent interactions with space entrepreneurs have focused on expanding the practical applications of space technology in agriculture, environmental management, livestock, disaster management and other areas affecting everyday life. The emphasis on Gen Z-led innovation reflects India’s broader ambition to move beyond being a consumer of advanced technologies and emerge as a major hub for their development.