Overview

On Monday, 17 August 2026, Chandigarh University hosted the National Space Technology Conclave (NSTC) 2026, a two‑day event organized by its Kalpana Chawla Centre for Research in Space Science and Technology (KCC) in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST).

Participants

The conclave featured 30 distinguished scientists, mission leaders and technologists from ISRO, IIST, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN‑SPACe), NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), together with ten CEOs and senior leaders from leading Indian space‑industry companies and start‑ups. Notable attendees included Dr Vinod Kumar, Director of the Promotion Directorate at IN‑SPACe (Chief Guest); Nilesh M Desai, former Director of the Space Applications Centre (SAC) at ISRO; Dr YVN Krishnamurthy, former Scientific Secretary of ISRO; Sanjay Nekkanti, CEO of Dhruva Space; M Venkat Rao, former Project Director and Advisor to ISRO; Dr Priyadarshanam, Head of SSPACE at IIST; Dr Rajeev Jyothi, Director of the Technical Directorate at IN‑SPACe; and Dr Srividya G, Scientist‑SG at URSC.

Declaration on Space Technology for Viksit Bharat 2047

During the conclave, Chandigarh University became the first university in India to unveil the “Chandigarh University Declaration on Space Technology for Viksit Bharat 2047”. The declaration provides a strategic roadmap for how universities can contribute to national space missions through education, research, innovation, skill development and industry collaboration, aiming to position the university as a regional hub for space research and to produce space‑ready human resources.

Key Statements

  • Dr Vinod Kumar noted that although ISRO has achieved super‑power status, more than 70 % of India’s space demand has historically been met through outsourcing. He highlighted that the government opened the space sector to private participation in June 2020, leading to a boom that now includes over 450 space start‑ups. The Indian Space Policy 2023 defines the roles of ISRO, IN‑SPACe, NSIL and non‑government entities, and the government has introduced schemes such as the Space Seed Fund, Technology Adoption Fund, a venture‑capital fund and a Pre‑Incubation Entrepreneurship Development Programme.
  • Dr YVN Krishnamurthy emphasized that the strength of India’s programme lies in cost‑effective solutions, extended satellite life and societal applications. He referenced the Prime Minister’s vision of extending space technology across 86 ministries, opening the sector to private players and making geospatial data more accessible, creating opportunities for innovators and start‑ups.
  • Nilesh M Desai recalled the 2020 reforms and the establishment of IN‑SPACe in 2022, stating that the conclave will promote space activities among students and help generate a talent pool needed for communication and navigation challenges.
  • Sanjay Nekkanti pointed out that India currently operates roughly 55 satellites compared with about 1,000 each for the United States and China, where private firms operate thousands. He projected that over the next decade India will shift from meeting domestic needs to serving global markets, urging the launch of constellations of small satellites in partnership with IIST and supported by IN‑SPACe.
  • Prof (Dr) Eswar Sunkara described the declaration as providing strategic direction for university involvement, aiming to make Chandigarh University a catalytic centre for capacity building and to contribute to the broader vision of a technologically advanced “Viksit Bharat” by 2047.

University Profile

Chandigarh University is an autonomous, NAAC‑A+ graded institution, QS World‑ranked, approved by the UGC and located near Chandigarh, Punjab. It offers more than 109 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce and other fields, and has been recognised as “University with Best Placements” by the World Corporate Roundtable (WCRC).

Conclusion

The NSTC 2026 and the newly released declaration underscore a coordinated effort among academia, the national space agency and the emerging private space sector to expand India’s indigenous space capabilities and to build a skilled workforce aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.