According to the 26 April 2026 Department of Space release, what was the approximate number of Indian space startups by early 2026?

Explanation

Following the space-sector reforms, private participation in India’s space ecosystem expanded sharply. The number of Indian space startups rose from single digits in 2019 to more than 400 by early 2026, so “more than 400” is the correct option. These startups were active in launch vehicles, satellite and payload manufacturing, ground infrastructure, data services and emerging in-orbit segments. The figure 129 is the number of authorisations granted since its establishment by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe); it is not the startup count.

Why the other options are wrong

• (A) About 40 is too low because Indian space startups had exceeded 400 by early 2026.
• (C) Nearly 4,000 overstates the count by an order of magnitude; the number of Indian space startups was over 400, not in the thousands.
• (D) Exactly 129 is the number of authorisations granted by IN-SPACe since its establishment, not the number of Indian space startups.

Concept

This question tests current developments in India’s space sector, especially the growth of private participation after the reforms. Such figures matter for RAS because they connect science and technology policy and institutional reform with the expansion of the startup sector. The key here is to distinguish the startup count from the number of regulatory authorisations.

Source

• Press Information Bureau, Department of Space

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