(a) whether any proposal has been received to include space-related activities in Make in India programme and if so, the details thereof; and
(b) whether there is any proposal to invite the Indian born scientists working in foreign space missions back to India to utilise their services to boost Indian space programme, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):
a) Since inception in 1972, the Indian Space Programme has been guided with the main objective of indigenous development of space systems for national development with strong involvement of Indian industries in realising space grade hardware, software and test systems. ISRO involves itself in mission definition, system engineering studies, design and development activities, quality assurance and project management with its own indigenous resources and develop, enhance and utilise the skills and resources available in the Indian Industries in realising the missions. The Department has drawn up a long term strategy to develop many more Indian Industries and encourage them to stake bigger claims in the Indian Space Programme with a vision of expanding India’s Space ecosystem. The development of Indian industries to support Indian Space Programme is a continuous effort on the part of the Department. The Department has also developed a novel method of developing industries through investments to support establishment of technical infrastruture, defining the quality and reliability standards and to encourage industries to enhance the skills of the human resources to match up to the requirements of the Space. The Departmental strategy on realisation of space systems indigenously, by partnering with Indian Industries, is in total synchronisation with the mission ‘Make In India’, a major national programme designed to facilitate investment, foster innovation, enhance skill development, protect IPR and build best manufacturing infrastructure in the Country.
b) Currently, a mechanism exists in ISRO with a provision to provide lateral induction to those interested Indian citizens, possessing Ph.D qualification and who are working in India / foreign countries in specific areas of expertise of relevance to the Indian Space Programme through assessment. Utilising this mechanism, recently three scientists from abroad have been offered opportunity to work in their specialised fields relevant to ISRO. For the present, no such provision has been made for non-Ph.D holders, evincing interest to come back to India to pursue career in Space.