India's space programme, managed by ISRO under the Department of Space, has grown from launching its first satellite Aryabhata in 1975 to operating indigenous rockets, navigation systems, and planetary missions. Recent milestones include Chandrayaan-3's soft landing near the Moon's south pole in August 2023, the operational NavIC constellation, and the upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. India is now among the few nations capable of end-to-end space capability — design, launch, and application.

India's space sovereignty rests on three pillars: launch vehicle self-reliance, satellite applications, and deep-space exploration.

**Launch Vehicles:** ISRO operates the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), known as the 'workhorse' for its reliability across 50+ missions, and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) with an indigenous cryogenic engine — a technology denied to India in 1992 under US pressure, which India then developed independently. The LVM3 (formerly GSLV Mk III) is the heavy-lift vehicle used for Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and OneWeb commercial launches.

**Satellite Applications:** ISRO runs operational constellations for communication (GSAT series), earth observation (Resourcesat, Cartosat), and navigation. NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), India's regional navigation system, covers India and extends 1,500 km beyond its borders with seven satellites.

**Planetary Missions:** Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission, 2014) made India the first country to reach Mars orbit on its maiden attempt and at the lowest cost ($74 million). Chandrayaan-3 made India the first nation to land near the lunar south pole.

**Space Policy 2023:** India's new Space Policy opened the sector to private players through IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre), separating ISRO's R&D role from commercial operations now handled by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).

**Gaganyaan** is India's first crewed mission, targeting Low Earth Orbit at 400 km altitude with a three-member crew. The examiner consistently tests exact firsts, mission costs, navigation system parameters, and organisational structure.