Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) — Overview
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Indian Space Research Organisation |
| Established | 15 August 1969 |
| Predecessor | Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), set up in 1962 |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Parent Body | Department of Space (DoS), Government of India |
| Founding Vision | Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai — regarded as the founding father of India's space programme |
| Current Chairman | Dr. V. Narayanan (assumed charge 13 January 2025) |
| Previous Chairman | Dr. S. Somanath (January 2022 – January 2025) |
ISRO Chairpersons — Select List
| Chairperson | Tenure | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Vikram Sarabhai | 1963–1971 | Founded India's space programme; established Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station |
| Prof. Satish Dhawan | 1972–1984 | SLV-3 development; institutionalised ISRO |
| Prof. U.R. Rao | 1984–1994 | INSAT & IRS satellite programmes |
| Dr. K. Kasturirangan | 1994–2003 | PSLV operationalisation; Chandrayaan-1 conceptualisation |
| G. Madhavan Nair | 2003–2009 | Chandrayaan-1 mission |
| Dr. K. Radhakrishnan | 2009–2014 | Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) |
| Dr. K. Sivan | 2018–2022 | Chandrayaan-2; Gaganyaan initiation |
| Dr. S. Somanath | 2022–2025 | Chandrayaan-3 success; Aditya-L1; LVM3 |
| Dr. V. Narayanan | 2025–present | Gaganyaan continuation; Bharatiya Antariksh Station |
Key Space Missions
2.1 Chandrayaan Programme (Lunar Missions)
| Mission | Launch Date | Launch Vehicle | Key Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandrayaan-1 | 22 October 2008 | PSLV-C11 | India's first lunar mission; confirmed presence of water molecules on Moon's surface via Moon Impact Probe (MIP) |
| Chandrayaan-2 | 22 July 2019 | GSLV Mk III (LVM3) | Orbiter + Vikram Lander + Pragyan Rover; orbiter still operational; lander lost contact during descent |
| Chandrayaan-3 | 14 July 2023 | LVM3-M4 | Successful soft landing near lunar south pole on 23 August 2023; India became the 4th country to soft-land on Moon and the first to land near the south pole |
2.2 Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan)
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | 5 November 2013 (PSLV-C25) |
| Mars Orbit Insertion | 24 September 2014 |
| Significance | India became the first Asian nation and the fourth space agency globally to reach Mars orbit — on its very first attempt |
| Cost | Approximately Rs. 450 crore (~USD 74 million) — remarkably cost-effective |
| Designed Life | 6 months; operated for over 7 years (till 2021) |
2.3 Aditya-L1 (Solar Mission)
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2 September 2023 (PSLV-C57) |
| Halo Orbit Insertion | 6 January 2024 at Sun-Earth Lagrange Point L1 |
| Payloads | 7 indigenous payloads (5 by ISRO, 2 by academic institutes) |
| Purpose | Comprehensive study of the Sun — corona, solar wind, UV imaging, magnetic field |
| Key Result | SUIT (Solar Ultra-violet Imaging Telescope) captured unprecedented solar flare details; observed Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) |
2.4 Gaganyaan (Human Spaceflight Programme)
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Objective | India's first crewed spaceflight mission |
| Launch Vehicle | Human Rated LVM3 (HLVM3) |
| Mission Plan | Multiple uncrewed test flights (G1, G2, G3) before crewed mission |
| Timeline | TV-D2 and first uncrewed flight (G1) targeted for 2025; G2 and G3 in 2026; crewed flight targeted for 2027 |
| Crew Training | Indian Air Force pilots selected; training partially completed |
| Key Technologies | Crew Escape System (CES), Crew Module, Environmental Control & Life Support System (ECLSS) |
| Future Vision | Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) — India's own space station, first module targeted for 2028 |
Satellite Systems
3.1 Overview of Satellite Series
| Series | Full Name | Purpose | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| INSAT | Indian National Satellite System | Communication, meteorology, search & rescue | One of the largest domestic communication satellite systems in Asia-Pacific; GEO orbit |
| GSAT | Geo-Stationary Satellite | Advanced communication (Ku, Ka, C band) | Over 20 satellites launched; supports DTH, VSAT, tele-education, telemedicine |
| IRS | Indian Remote Sensing | Earth observation, resource survey | One of the largest constellations of remote sensing satellites globally; first IRS-1A launched in 1988 |
| NavIC / IRNSS | Navigation with Indian Constellation | Regional navigation & positioning | 7-satellite constellation in GEO/GSO orbits; coverage over India + 1500 km beyond borders; signals in L1, L5 and S bands |
| RISAT | Radar Imaging Satellite | All-weather earth observation | Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payloads |
| Cartosat | Cartography Satellite | Mapping, urban planning, infrastructure | High-resolution imagery for cartographic applications |
| Oceansat | Ocean Satellite | Ocean & atmospheric studies | Ocean colour monitoring, sea surface temperature |
3.2 Applications of Remote Sensing Satellites
| Domain | Application |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | Crop acreage estimation, drought assessment, soil mapping |
| Water Resources | Groundwater prospects, watershed development, irrigation planning |
| Urban Planning | Land use/land cover mapping, smart city planning |
| Disaster Management | Flood mapping, cyclone tracking, earthquake damage assessment |
| Forestry | Forest cover monitoring, biodiversity mapping |
| Ocean Resources | Potential fishing zone advisories, coastal zone management |
| Mineral Prospecting | Geological mapping, mineral targeting |
Launch Vehicles
| Vehicle | Full Name | Payload Capacity | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLV-3 | Satellite Launch Vehicle | 40 kg to LEO | India's first indigenous launch vehicle; first successful launch in 1980 |
| ASLV | Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle | 150 kg to LEO | Augmented version of SLV-3 |
| PSLV | Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle | ~1,750 kg to SSO (600 km); ~1,425 kg to SSO in core-alone | India's workhorse; 4 variants (PSLV-G, PSLV-CA, PSLV-XL, PSLV-DL); has launched Chandrayaan-1, Mangalyaan, Aditya-L1 |
| GSLV | Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle | ~2,500 kg to GTO | Uses indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS); enables 2-tonne class communication satellites |
| LVM3 (GSLV Mk III) | Launch Vehicle Mark 3 | ~4,000 kg to GTO; ~8,000 kg to LEO | India's heaviest launch vehicle; indigenous high-thrust cryogenic engine; launched Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, OneWeb satellites |
| SSLV | Small Satellite Launch Vehicle | ~300 kg to 500 km LEO | Low-cost, quick turnaround; designed for small/micro satellites; multiple satellite deployment capability |
PSLV Variants
| Variant | Strap-on Motors | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| PSLV-G | 6 solid strap-ons | Standard configuration |
| PSLV-CA | Core Alone (no strap-ons) | Lighter payloads |
| PSLV-XL | 6 extended strap-ons | Heavier payloads (Chandrayaan-1, Mangalyaan) |
| PSLV-DL | 2 strap-ons | Intermediate payloads |
Space Sector Reforms and Commercial Space
5.1 Indian Space Policy 2023
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Objective | Enable end-to-end participation of Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) in all space activities |
| Scope | Satellite manufacturing, launch vehicle manufacturing, satellite services, ground systems |
| Key Vision | Augment space capabilities; develop flourishing commercial presence; target $44 billion Indian space economy by 2033 |
| Current Space Economy | Estimated at ~$8.4 billion (2–3% of global space economy) |
5.2 Key Institutional Bodies
| Body | Established | Role |
|---|---|---|
| IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) | June 2020 | Single-window facilitator for private sector participation; promotes, authorises, and supervises NGE space activities |
| NSIL (NewSpace India Limited) | 6 March 2019 | Commercial arm of DoS (CPSE); end-to-end commercial space business including launch services, satellite manufacturing, technology transfer |
| ANTRIX Corporation | 1992 | Marketing arm for ISRO products and services internationally |
5.3 FDI in Space Sector (Amended 2024)
| Sub-sector | FDI Limit (Automatic Route) |
|---|---|
| Satellite manufacturing & operation | Up to 74% |
| Launch vehicles & associated systems | Up to 49% |
| Components/sub-systems manufacturing | Up to 100% |
| Spaceport creation | Up to 49% |
5.4 Growth of Space Start-ups
The number of space start-ups in India has grown from just 1 in 2014 to over 266 as of 2024, reflecting the impact of liberalised policies and IN-SPACe facilitation.
International Space Cooperation
| Partner / Agreement | Details |
|---|---|
| NASA (USA) | NISAR joint satellite (Synthetic Aperture Radar); Artemis Accords (India signed 2023) |
| ESA (Europe) | Deep space tracking support; payload cooperation |
| CNES (France) | Joint satellite missions; maritime surveillance |
| Roscosmos (Russia) | Gaganyaan crew training support |
| JAXA (Japan) | Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX) — joint mission |
| BRICS / SCO | Space data sharing for development; remote sensing cooperation |
Important for UPSC
Prelims Focus
- Year of ISRO establishment (1969), predecessor INCOSPAR (1962)
- Launch dates and vehicles for Chandrayaan-1/2/3, Mangalyaan, Aditya-L1
- Payload capacities: PSLV (SSO), GSLV (GTO), LVM3 (GTO & LEO)
- NavIC: 7-satellite constellation, coverage area, signal bands (L1, L5, S)
- NSIL (2019), IN-SPACe (2020), Indian Space Policy 2023
- Chandrayaan-3 soft-landed on 23 August 2023 near lunar south pole
- Mangalyaan: first Asian nation to reach Mars orbit (September 2014)
Mains Dimensions
| Dimension | Angle |
|---|---|
| Science & Tech (GS3) | Indigenisation of cryogenic engines; dual-use technology; space-based disaster management |
| Governance (GS2) | Space policy reforms; role of IN-SPACe as regulator; public-private partnership model |
| Economy (GS3) | Commercial space sector; FDI liberalisation; space economy target of $44 billion by 2033 |
| International Relations (GS2) | Artemis Accords; India-Japan LUPEX; space diplomacy; BRICS cooperation |
| Ethics (GS4) | Responsible use of outer space; space debris management; equitable access to space |
Interview Angles
- Should ISRO focus on science missions or commercial launches?
- India's space programme: luxury or necessity for a developing country?
- How can space technology address rural development challenges (telemedicine, tele-education, weather forecasting)?
- Private sector vs. government role in space exploration
- Outer Space Treaty and its relevance for India
Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q1. (2018): With reference to India's satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements:
- PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.
- Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.
- GSLV Mk III is a four-staged launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 2 (d) 3 only Answer: (a) (Satellites launched by GSLV into GEO appear fixed, not PSLV satellites; GSLV Mk III is a three-stage vehicle, not four-stage) (Prelims 2018, GS Paper I)
Q2. (2016): Consider the following statements:
- The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission.
- It was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota.
- It made India the first country in Asia to reach Mars orbit.
Which of the above statements is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: (d) (Prelims 2016, GS Paper I)
Q3. (2018): With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements:
- IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits.
- IRNSS covers entire India and about 1500 sq. km beyond its borders.
- India will have its own satellite navigation system with full global coverage by the middle of 2019.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) None Answer: (a) (The coverage extends 1500 km beyond borders, not 1500 sq. km; India did not achieve global coverage by 2019) (Prelims 2018, GS Paper I)
Q4. (2012): What is the purpose of the Astrosat mission? (a) To study the magnetic field of Earth (b) To map the surface of the Moon (c) To observe the universe in visible light, ultraviolet, and X-ray wavelengths (d) To study Venus's atmosphere Answer: (c) (Astrosat is India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory) (Prelims PYQ, GS Paper I)
Mains
Q5. (2017): India has launched its own satellite navigation system. What are the reasons for such a step? Discuss the uses of the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system. (GS Paper III, 250 words)
Q6. (2023): Discuss the significance of the Chandrayaan-3 mission for India's space programme and its implications for future lunar exploration. (GS Paper III, 250 words)
Current Affairs Connect
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Science & Tech News | Ujiyari — Science & Tech News |
| Editorials | Ujiyari — Editorials |
| Daily Updates | Ujiyari — Daily Updates |
Sources: isro.gov.in (ISRO Official Website), pib.gov.in (Press Information Bureau), india.gov.in (National Portal of India), inspace.gov.in (IN-SPACe Official), nsilindia.co.in (NSIL Official)