In a landmark announcement, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan declared that India will establish its own space station by 2035, with the initial modules expected to be launched as early as 2027. Speaking at the 14th Convocation Ceremony of IIT-BHU in Varanasi, Narayanan outlined the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) ambitious roadmap for the coming decade, aimed at positioning India among the world’s leading spacefaring nations.
India’s Space Station Vision: A Major Leap for ISRO
During his address, Narayanan revealed that ISRO’s engineers and scientists are actively working on designing self-sustaining modules for India’s first space station, which will serve as a platform for long-term microgravity research, space science experiments, and deep space technology testing. He noted that the first set of modules will likely be deployed in orbit by 2027, paving the way for a fully functional Indian Space Station by 2035.
Narayanan stated, “India’s space journey has reached a stage of maturity where we can confidently aim to build a self-reliant and robust space ecosystem. The upcoming space station will symbolize India’s technological strength and global leadership in space exploration.”
ISRO’s Ongoing Missions and Future Goals
Highlighting ISRO’s recent achievements, Narayanan reflected on the historic soft landing of Chandrayaan-3, a milestone that established India as the first nation to land near the Moon’s south pole. He added that ISRO is now working on advanced versions of Chandrayaan, focusing on enhanced lunar exploration and scientific research.
He also confirmed significant progress on the Gaganyaan-3 mission, India’s first human spaceflight project, which aims to send Indian astronauts into low-Earth orbit. Narayanan emphasized that these missions collectively mark India’s transformation from a participant in global space exploration to a leader in space innovation and self-reliance.
Tracing India’s Space Journey
The ISRO Chairman proudly traced India’s space achievements from the first rocket launch in 1963 to landmark missions like Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission), and the development of indigenous cryogenic rocket engines. Under ISRO’s leadership, India has successfully deployed over 133 satellites and made tremendous progress in telecommunication, telemedicine, weather forecasting, and disaster management.
He highlighted how space technology has directly improved millions of lives—from supporting agriculture and fisheries to enhancing national disaster response systems. “India’s space technology is not just about rockets and satellites; it is about improving everyday lives,” Narayanan noted.
Encouragement to IIT-BHU Graduates
Addressing the graduating students of IIT-BHU, Narayanan encouraged them to contribute to India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047. He described IIT-BHU as a “temple of knowledge” that has produced generations of innovators and industry leaders.
He urged students to embrace creativity, continuous learning, teamwork, and leadership, while remaining grounded in values of character, gratitude, and social responsibility. “India’s youth must take forward the nation’s vision through innovation in science, technology, and entrepreneurship,” he emphasized.
Convocation Highlights
The 14th Convocation Ceremony saw 123 medals and awards presented to 62 meritorious students for their academic excellence. The ceremony was presided over by IIT-BHU Director Prof. Amit Patra and Registrar Sumit Kumar Biswas, alongside Narayanan, who was the Chief Guest. The ISRO Chief also congratulated parents, teachers, and institute staff for their unwavering support in nurturing India’s future innovators.
With the announcement of India’s first indigenous space station by 2035, ISRO has set its sights on an extraordinary new era of exploration and innovation. Backed by visionary leadership, cutting-edge research, and a strong foundation in science and technology, India is poised to emerge as a global space power in the coming decade.
