Madhya Pradesh became one of India's earliest states to adopt a dedicated state-level space technology policy when the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet formally approved the 'Madhya Pradesh SpaceTech Policy-2026' in January 2026. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had formally launched the policy on January 15, 2026, at the 'Madhya Pradesh Regional AI Impact Conference-2026' in Bhopal. The policy is projected to attract ₹1,000 crore (approximately $120 million) in investments and generate around 8,000 direct and indirect jobs over the next five years. The policy aims to position Madhya Pradesh as a leading hub in India's rapidly growing space economy. Key pillars of the policy include: financial, infrastructural, and research support for SpaceTech start-ups, MSMEs, and established industries; promotion of satellite manufacturing, geospatial data analysis, and downstream space applications; integration of space-based technologies into governance domains including agriculture, disaster management, water resources monitoring, and urban planning; support for AI and space convergence projects. The MP Cabinet also approved a companion law — the Madhya Pradesh Space Act 2026 — providing a legal framework for regulating and promoting space activities in the state. At the launch event, the Science and Technology Department signed six MoUs with organisations including Google, NASSCOM, Bhashini, CEEW, AISECT, and Youngovator (Answer Foundation), plus an additional MoU with IndiaAI for establishing AI labs in MP. The policy is particularly significant in the context of India's national space reforms — the IN-SPACe framework established in 2020 opened India's space sector to private players, and states are now competing to attract NewSpace industry investments. Neighbouring Rajasthan has significant potential to develop complementary space applications given its large land area ideal for satellite ground stations, remote sensing applications for desert and agricultural monitoring, and disaster management for drought-prone regions.