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 ?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 2 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (c)
• IN-SPACe, set up in 2020 under the Department of Space, is the autonomous single-window agency that authorises and promotes private participation in space activities, sharing ISRO facilities and expertise — statement 1 is correct.
• In May 2024 Chennai-based Agnikul Cosmos flew Agnibaan SOrTeD from its own launchpad at Sriharikota, the world's first flight powered by a single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine (Agnilet) — statement 2 is correct.
• Statement 3 is wrong: Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace builds its own Vikram series of launch vehicles (Vikram-S flew in 2022); it has not developed liquid fuel for ISRO's GSLV.
• Both companies are products of the 2020 space-sector reforms that opened launch services to start-ups.
• Hence 1 and 2 only, option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 2 is also correct: Agnikul flew the first 3D-printed-engine rocket in 2024.
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- Statement 3 is wrong: Skyroot builds Vikram rockets; it has no role in GSLV fuel.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Statement 3 is wrong, so all three cannot be correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.