Research Centres of DoS | Science & Technology for UPSC CSE PDF Download

With the establishment of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) in 1962, India initiated its space activities, followed by the development of the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) near Thiruvananthapuram. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was formed in August 1969. The Government of India constituted the Space Commission and established the Department of Space (DoS) in June 1972, bringing ISRO under DoS in September 1972. As of 2025, ISRO is led by Chairman V. Narayanan, who succeeded S. Somanath on January 14, 2025, guiding India’s ambitious Space Vision 2047.

Programmes of DoS

The Department of Space (DoS) aims to promote the development and application of space science and technology for national development. DoS has evolved the following programmes to achieve these objectives:

• Launch Vehicle programme, achieving indigenous capability for launching spacecraft, including advanced vehicles like LVM3 and reusable launch systems.
• INSAT Programme for telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology, and educational development, with recent additions like GSAT-20 (2024).
• Remote Sensing Programme, utilizing satellite imagery for developmental purposes such as agriculture, urban planning, and disaster management.
• Research and Development in Space Sciences and Technology, including human spaceflight (Gaganyaan) and quantum communication, to drive national development.

The Space Commission formulates policies and oversees the implementation of India’s space programme, aligned with Space Vision 2047, to promote socio-economic benefits. DoS implements these programmes primarily through:

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)
• National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL)
• North Eastern-Space Applications Centre (NESAC)
• Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL)

The Antrix Corporation, established in 1992, and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), established in 2019, market space products and services, supporting India’s growing commercial space sector.

The establishment and application of space systems are coordinated by national-level committees, namely:

• INSAT Coordination Committee (ICC)
• Planning Committee on National Natural Resources Management System (PC-NNRMS)
• Advisory Committee on Space Sciences (ADCOS)

Attached and Subordinate Offices of DoS

• Attached Office of Department of Space is U. R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), Bengaluru
• Subordinate office of Department of Space is Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Bengaluru

U. R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), Bengaluru

Since the 1970s, the U. R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) has been ISRO’s lead center for satellite development, mastering technologies for communication, meteorological, remote sensing, navigation, and space science satellites. By 2025, URSC has built over 100 satellites, contributing to missions like Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, Astrosat, GSLV-F15/NVS-02 (January 2025), and the Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX, January 2025). These satellites support communication, agriculture, water resources, urban planning, fisheries, oceanography, weather forecasting, disaster management, and navigation, earning global acclaim and inspiring future generations.

With approximately 2,500 skilled personnel, URSC houses state-of-the-art facilities for satellite design, development, fabrication, and testing, driving advancements in India’s space programme.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Bengaluru

India’s space journey began with the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) in 1962, led by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, who established the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in Thiruvananthapuram. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), formed in 1969, superseded INCOSPAR. Under Sarabhai’s vision, ISRO has provided space-based services and developed indigenous technologies, achieving milestones like Chandrayaan-3 (2023) and Gaganyaan test flights (2025).

Autonomous / Apex Institutions

• National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL), Tirupati: National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL), fully funded by DoS, conducts fundamental and applied research in Atmospheric and Space Sciences. Starting as the National Mesosphere-Stratosphere-Troposphere (MST) Radar Facility in 1992, NARL has expanded to include Rayleigh/Mie lidars and wind profilers, contributing to atmospheric studies.
• North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), Shillong: The North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), a joint initiative of DoS and the North Eastern Council, has served the eight North Eastern states for over 20 years. Registered under the Meghalaya Societies Registration Act, 1983, NESAC applies space technology for resource management and development, launching the North Eastern Spatial Data Repository (NeSDR) in 2021.
• Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali: Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL), under DoS since 2006, focuses on R&D in microelectronics for strategic needs. Formerly Semiconductor Complex Limited, SCL handles design, development, fabrication, assembly, packaging, testing, and quality assurance of CMOS and MEMS devices, Hi-Rel Boards, and Radio Sonde Systems, supporting ISRO missions.
• Space Physics Laboratory (SPL), Mohali: The Space Physics Laboratory (SPL) at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) conducts research in atmospheric and space sciences. The Ammonium Perchlorate Experimental Plant (APEP) in Aluva and ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) in Thiruvananthapuram also support VSSC’s activities.

Academies / Institutions (Grant in Aid)

• Indian Centre for Space Physics (ICSP), Kolkata: Indian Centre for Space Physics (ICSP) conducts research in Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Space Science, funded by ISRO, DST, and CSIR. Recognized by Calcutta University, ICSP supports Ph.D. programs and national/international projects, contributing to space science advancements.
• Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), Dehradun: Founded on April 21, 1966, as the Indian Photo-interpretation Institute under the Survey of India, IIRS was established with Dutch collaboration. Inaugurated in 1972, IIRS builds capacity in remote sensing and geoinformatics, offering EDUSAT-based courses to institutions worldwide as of 2025.
• Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram: Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), a Deemed University under DoS, was inaugurated on September 14, 2007. It provides high-quality education in space sciences, technology, and applications at undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and post-doctoral levels, supporting ISRO’s manpower needs.
• Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad: Founded in 1947 by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) conducts multidisciplinary research in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space and Atmospheric Sciences, Solar Physics, Geosciences, Planetary Science, and more. With campuses in Ahmedabad, Thaltej, Mount Abu, and Udaipur, PRL supports cutting-edge scientific advancements.

Schemes / Programmes and Missions

• Bhuvan - Gateway of Indian Earth Observation
• Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, ISRO, Thiruvananthapuram
• Meteorological and Oceanographic Satellite Data Archival Centre (MOSDAC), ISRO
• National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad
• Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad
• Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), ISRO, Thiruvananthapuram
• Visualization of Earth observation Data and Archival System (VEDAS), Space Applications Centre (SAC)

PSUs / Joint Ventures

• Antrix Corporation Limited
• NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)

Divisions / Units / Wings

• Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (LEOS), ISRO, Bengaluru
• Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC - SHAR), Sriharikota

Indian Space Policy 2023 and Commercial Space Sector

The Indian Space Policy 2023 has transformed India’s space ecosystem by promoting private sector participation through the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), established in 2022. IN-SPACe regulates and facilitates private space activities, while NSIL commercializes ISRO’s technologies. By 2025, over 150 space startups are active, and commercial launches, such as AST SpaceMobile in March 2025, highlight India’s global space market presence.

Recent Missions and Technological Advancements (2025)

India’s space programme has achieved significant milestones, including Chandrayaan-3’s lunar landing in July 2023, GSLV-F15/NVS-02 (ISRO’s 100th launch) in January 2025, and the Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) in January 2025. The Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, with test flights in 2025 and a manned mission in 2026, and Chandrayaan-4 (2027-2028) for lunar sample return are underway. ISRO’s advancements in quantum communication (demonstrated 2023) and nuclear propulsion plans with the Department of Atomic Energy further enhance India’s space capabilities.