Space Activities Bill

India's Space Activities Bill will provide for a dedicated space legislation for India. The draft was first made public for comments by the Department of Space in November 2017.[1][2] The bill covers various factors of India's space goals, including international and national obligations, defines offences and subsequent punishments, barriers of entry for private companies, liability for damages caused in space etc.[3][4] On 5 July 2020, Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, ISRO K Sivan said that the Space Activities Bill is in its final stages.[5] Accordingly, the Bill will be placed in both house of Parliament.[3] After due parliamentary procedure, the Space Activities Act will pave the way for the formation of space rules.[6] For private companies to start space launches in India, the Act is needed to be in effect.[7]

Present Status

According to Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State, Science and Technology, as on 9 February 2022, the draft bill has completed public and legal consultation. It has now been sent for further approvals for inter-ministerial consultations.[8]

References

1. Pacha, Aswathi (2017-11-23). "The Hindu Explains: What is the Space Activities Bill, 2017?". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
2. "Seeking comments on Draft "Space Activities Bill, 2017" from the stake holders/public -regarding. - ISRO". www.isro.gov.in. 21 November 2017. Archived from the original on 30 August 2019. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
3. V, Ashok G. (19 April 2019). "The Space Activities bill- Does it deliver?". ORF. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
4. Gill, Prabhjote (26 June 2019). "India's new 'Space Activities Bill' will fix the liability for damage caused in outer space". Business Insider. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
5. "Space policy, Space Activities Bill in final stages: ISRO chairman". The Economic Times. 2020-07-05. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
6. Lele, Ajay (2019-07-02). "Space Activities Bill: India's great galactic leap". The Financial Express. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
7. Dutt, Anonna (2020-06-26). "Space activities bill must come into force, says ISRO chief". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
8. IANS (2022-02-09). "Government plans to open FDI in space sector: Jitendra Singh". Business Standard India. Retrieved 2022-03-30.