Question
Consider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in India’s space programme:
1The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous agency formed to facilitate participation of private entities.
2Agnikul Cosmos launched the world’s first flight using 3D-printed rocket engine.
3Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid fuel for GSLV.
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 2 only
D1, 2 and 3
⚠️ Statement 2 — Nuance Required
Agnikul’s May 2024 launch was the world’s first flight of a single-piece 3D-printed engine — but rockets with 3D-printed components (like Rocket Lab’s Rutherford engine) had flown earlier. ISRO and PIB officially described it as “world’s first flight with a 3D-printed engine,” using their specific framing. Statement 3 is unambiguously wrong (Skyroot ≠ GSLV). Official answer: (C) 1 and 2 only.
Each Statement — Verified
1
“IN-SPACe is an autonomous agency formed to facilitate participation of private entities” — TRUE
IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) was established in 2020 as an autonomous body under the Department of Space. Its mandate:
IN-SPACe — autonomous agency for private sector facilitation
✓ Correct
• Promote private sector participation in space activities
• Handhold startups and companies through regulatory requirements
• Authorise private entities to conduct space activities
• Provide access to ISRO’s infrastructure, expertise, and launch facilities
• Single-window clearance for private space companies
Currently chaired by Pawan Goenka (former MD of Mahindra & Mahindra). Over 100 startups now registered with ISRO/IN-SPACe.
✓ Established 2020 — autonomous under Dept of Space
IN-SPACe = promote + handhold + authorize. Single-window regulator and promoter for India’s private space sector.
2
“Agnikul Cosmos launched the world’s first flight using 3D-printed rocket engine” — Treated as CORRECT per ISRO/PIB/UPSC framing
On May 30, 2024, Agnikul Cosmos launched Agnibaan SOrTeD (Sub-Orbital Technology Demonstrator) from India’s first private launchpad “Dhanush” at Sriharikota.
Agnikul — world’s first flight with 3D-printed rocket engine
⚠️ Accepted as correct per official UPSC answer
The official PIB/ISRO description: “world’s first flight of a single-piece 3D-printed engine” — the Agnilet engine was printed as one piece with no welds or joints, making it technically unique.
The nuance: Rocket Lab’s Rutherford engines (used since 2017) also used 3D-printed components. However, they were not entirely single-piece. The “world’s first” claim applies specifically to the single-piece fully-3D-printed configuration. ISRO Chairman S. Somanath officially described it as a world first. UPSC appears to accept this official framing.
Three firsts from the Agnibaan mission: World’s first single-piece 3D-printed engine flight · India’s first semi-cryogenic engine flight · India’s first launch from a privately operated pad
⚠️ Official answer: correct per ISRO/PIB/UPSC framing
Agnilet = world’s first single-piece fully 3D-printed engine. PIB + ISRO officially confirmed. May 30, 2024. Agnibaan SOrTeD. Launchpad Dhanush, Sriharikota.
3
“Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid fuel for GSLV” — FALSE on multiple counts
Error 1 — Skyroot develops its OWN rockets, not GSLV components: Skyroot Aerospace is building the Vikram series of private rockets — not developing anything for GSLV (which is ISRO’s own heavy-lift vehicle). Skyroot has no contract or programme to develop GSLV components.
“Skyroot developed liquid fuel for GSLV”
✗ Wrong on both — Skyroot ≠ GSLV
Error 2 — Skyroot uses SOLID fuel (not liquid): Vikram-S (launched November 2022 — India’s first private rocket in space) used solid fuel propulsion. Skyroot has developed a solid-fuel engine called Kalam-5. It is working on liquid engines for future Vikram variants but these are for its OWN rockets.
Error 3 — GSLV liquid engines are ISRO’s: GSLV uses the Vikas engine (liquid-fuelled second stage) and cryogenic upper stage — both entirely developed by ISRO. No private company has developed GSLV’s engines.
✗ Three errors in one statement
Skyroot = own Vikram rockets (solid fuel), NOT GSLV. GSLV = ISRO’s Vikas + cryogenic engines. Statement 3 is factually wrong on all counts.
India’s Private Space Sector — Key Facts
| Entity | Key Facts |
| IN-SPACe | Autonomous body under Dept of Space · Est. 2020 · Chairman: Pawan Goenka · Single-window for private space companies · Promotes + authorizes private space activities |
| Agnikul Cosmos | IIT Madras startup · Agnibaan SOrTeD — May 30, 2024 · World’s first single-piece 3D-printed engine (Agnilet) · Semi-cryogenic · India’s first private launchpad (Dhanush) · 3 world/India firsts in one mission |
| Skyroot Aerospace | Vikram-S — Nov 2022 · India’s first private rocket to reach space · Solid fuel propulsion · Kalam-5 solid engine · Developing own liquid engines for Vikram variants · NOT related to GSLV |
| Skyroot ≠ GSLV | GSLV uses ISRO’s Vikas liquid engine (Stage 2) + CE-7.5 or CE-20 cryogenic engine (Stage 3). All developed by ISRO. No private company involvement in GSLV propulsion. |
| Other private players | Dhruva Space · Pixxel · Bellatrix Aerospace · Manastu Space · GalaxEye · 100+ startups registered with IN-SPACe/ISRO |
| Statement 3 errors | Skyroot develops Vikram rockets (not GSLV). Vikram-S uses solid fuel (not liquid). GSLV engines = ISRO’s. Three separate errors. |
Memory Trick
🧠 Remember It This Way
Statement 3 — two wrong names: Statement 3 links Skyroot with GSLV. But Skyroot makes Vikram rockets (not GSLV) and uses solid fuel (not liquid). GSLV = ISRO. Vikram = Skyroot. Never mix them.
India’s private space milestones in order: Nov 2022 — Skyroot Vikram-S (India’s first private rocket in space, solid fuel) → May 2024 — Agnikul Agnibaan SOrTeD (world’s first single-piece 3D-printed engine, semi-cryogenic).
IN-SPACe = Promote + Authorize + Handhold: The three verbs capture its purpose. It is autonomous (not part of ISRO directly) but under the Department of Space. Created to open India’s space sector to private players while maintaining regulatory oversight.
