Antariksh Prayogshala (Space Labs)
Why in news?
Antariksh Prayogshala, or Space Labs, is a new initiative by IN-SPACe to establish advanced space technology laboratories at up to seven academic institutions across India. Announced in mid-December 2025, it aims to provide hands-on training for students, foster industry-academia collaboration, and build a skilled workforce for India's growing space sector.​
Basic concept
- Antariksh Prayogshala is conceived as a network of advanced space labs inside colleges and universities offering space-tech and allied courses.​
- It aims to translate classroom learning into practical capabilities in areas like satellite systems, payloads, space communication, and related technologies.​
Implementing agency and coverage
- The scheme is an initiative of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), the nodal body under the Department of Space for promoting non-governmental entities in the space sector.​
- Up to seven institutions, one from each major geographic zone of India, will be selected in phases to host these labs, ensuring balanced regional representation.​
- IN-SPACe will provide up to 75% of the project cost, capped at about ₹5 crore per institution, with funds released in a milestone-linked manner.​
Objectives and significance
- The initiative targets capacity building by providing structured, hands-on training to students and creating a skilled talent pool for India’s expanding private space sector.​
- It is designed to strengthen industry–academia linkages, support applied research and early-stage innovation, and advance India’s long-term vision of becoming a leading global space economy.​
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