New Delhi, Aug 2026 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended greetings to citizens and scientists on National Space Day, highlighting India’s growing prominence in the global space sector and praising the country’s young engineers, scientists, designers and coders for developing cutting-edge technologies.
The Prime Minister said India’s progress in space has strengthened the country’s position globally and helped make its space sector an increasingly attractive destination for international investment.
Sharing a video featuring excerpts from his speeches, Modi said India was witnessing the beginning of a “new cycle of change” and was steadily expanding its presence in the global space order.
“I said in Ayodhya that this is the beginning of a new cycle of change. In this new cycle, India is steadily expanding its space presence in the global order, and this is clearly reflected in our space programme,” he said.
The Prime Minister linked the country’s space ambitions with the broader national goal of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047. He said the space sector would have a crucial role in achieving this long-term objective by driving technological innovation, scientific research and economic growth.
Modi particularly praised the contribution of the younger generation, describing India’s Gen Z as an important force behind the country’s emerging technological capabilities.
“Today, these Gen Z engineers, designers, coders and scientists are building new technologies,” he said, pointing to work being undertaken in areas such as propulsion systems, composite materials, rocket stages and satellite platforms.
He noted that India’s young professionals were now working in advanced fields that would have been difficult to imagine just a few years ago. Their growing participation, he said, was helping expand the country’s capabilities beyond traditional boundaries.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the growing role of private companies and startups in India’s space ecosystem. He said private-sector talent was increasingly making its presence felt internationally and contributing to the expansion of the country’s space capabilities.
“India’s private space talent is making its own identity in the world. Today, India’s space sector has become a magnet for global investors,” Modi said.
He also praised the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for inspiring the next generation of scientists. According to Modi, the organisation’s achievements have encouraged children across the country to dream of pursuing careers in science and space exploration.
“Seeing the success of ISRO, many children think that when they grow up, they too will become scientists,” he said.
India observes National Space Day every year on August 23 to commemorate the historic soft landing of the Chandrayaan-3 Vikram lander on the Moon in 2023. The mission made India the first country to successfully land near the lunar south polar region, marking a landmark achievement in the nation’s space journey.
The 2026 celebrations are being observed under the theme “Towards Viksit Bharat: Innovating, Collaborating and Aspiring to Global Space Leadership.” The theme underlines India’s focus on innovation, international collaboration and strengthening its position in the global space ecosystem.
ISRO Chairman and Secretary of the Department of Space Dr V. Narayanan, in his National Space Day message, called for greater innovation, collaboration and ambition as India seeks to emerge as a leading global space power.
