Panel Raises Concern Over Budget Cuts Impacting Space Missions, Flags 16% Shortfall For 2025-26
Of the total projection of Rs 15,983.37 crore for 2025-26, the Department of Space was actually allocated Rs 13,416.20 crore - a significant reduction of Rs 2,567.17 crore.
As India strives to join the ranks of top space-faring nations, a Parliamentary Panel has flagged concerns over repeated cuts in funding for space sciences and technology development, which could hinder the country’s position in global space research.
The Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, which tabled its report in the ongoing session of Parliament, noted with concern that the budget allocated to the Department of Space was slashed by 16 per cent in the estimate for 2025-26. Of the total projection of Rs 15,983.37 crore, the actual allocation stood at Rs 13,416.20 crore – a significant reduction of Rs 2,567.17 crore.
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There was a Rs 1,488 crore reduction in budget estimate for space technologies, which could affect crucial R&D activities, such as reusable launch vehicles, semi-cryogenic engine development as well as human spaceflight mission, it further stated.
The report also flagged a notable reduction of Rs 505 crore funding for space sciences – which received only Rs 371 cr against a projected Rs 876.14 cr, which could hinder deep space exploration, interplanetary missions, and astrophysics research, according to the committee led by parliamentarians from across states. While the space technology sector has utilised 70 per cent of the funds across all schemes, the committee noted massive under-utilisation of funds for space sciences at 46 per cent.
The latest report comes amid continued spotlight on India’s low-cost space missions, including Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan which were successfully carried out by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) at a fraction of the cost of similar missions by other space agencies like NASA, or European Space Agency (ESA).
RE-EVALUATE FUNDING FOR SPACE-TECH
In its report, the committee strongly recommended that additional funds be allocated to space sciences, to ensure that critical planetary and interplanetary missions proceed without disruption, as well as re-evaluate Rs 1,488.60 crore reductions in Space-tech as it could impede key advancements in satellite launch capabilities, propulsion systems, and indigenous space innovation.
Additionally, it suggested the department to improve its financial forecasting to avoid funding shortfalls, and emphasised that cuts should not affect critical infrastructure and capacity-building. It also urged for better alignment between projected and actual expenditures to ensure India’s space ambitions are not hindered.
GAGANYAAN ON TRACK, ASSURES DEPARTMENT
In its response, the Department of Space said that it has ensured that key projects are sufficiently funded, based on the budgetary resources made available, and it would request additional funds from the ministry via supplementary grants, depending on progress of ongoing missions. Furthermore, it said that the new projects had been optimized to fit within the allocated budget for 2025-26.
The Department of Space also clarified that the major mission milestones under Gaganyaan remain on track. The first un-crewed test flight is set to be conducted this year, followed by two more un-crewed missions and a crewed mission. The budget Gaganyaan too slashed by Rs 352.65 crore, but was restored back in the Budget Estimate 2025-26 to Rs 1200 crore.
The budget for some of the schemes such as the GSLV Operational and Continuation Programme, was also reduced during the 2024-25 revised estimate stage, but was restored for the 2025-26 Budget estimate. Semi-cryogenic engine development has also got renewed funding support of Rs 150 crore in Budget Estimate 2025-26. However, the Joint ISRO-NASA Mission to the International Space Station (ISS) has been deferred to next financial year.
The government has also recently approved planetary missions like Venus Orbiter Mission, Chandrayaan-4 and Chandrayaan-5 mission and the approval for Mars Lander Mission is in advanced stage. The development of a Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) capable of placing 30,000 kg into low Earth orbit is also underway, and it would use a liquid oxygen and methane propulsion system, which is reusable and more cost-effective.
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