Budget 2026: Space Startups Demand Early Govt Orders, Tax Reforms

• Indian space startups seek early government purchase commitments and simpler regulations for Budget 2026.
• Anirudh Sharma (Digantara) highlights the absence of early government buyers as a major bottleneck, stressing the need for customers over grants.
• The current procurement system favors mature technologies, forcing startups to self-fund risky development phases without government support.
• Keyur Gandhi (Dhruva Space) advocates for targeted tax reforms, including dedicated HSN/SAC codes and SEZ-equivalent benefits, to reduce GST burdens and improve economic viability.
• These reforms aim to unlock working capital, attract investment, and make Indian space companies globally competitive.

Why It Matters: Budget 2026: Space startups demand early government orders and tax reforms for growth.