National Space Day: PM Modi hails India’s rise, says Gen Z building new technologies

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked National Space Day by highlighting India’s growing global space presence, private-sector potential and Gen Z’s technological contributions. He said the space sector is vital to achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047, while ISRO continues inspiring future scientists

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended greetings to countrymen and scientists on National Space Day, hailing India’s global rise in the space sector and praising Gen Z for building new technologies. He said this rise has made India a “magnet” for investors.

Sharing a video of his speeches, PM Modi said, “I said in Ayodhya that this is the beginning of a new cycle of change. In this new cycle, India is steadily expanding its space presence in the global order, and this is clearly reflected in our space program.” “Together, we have resolved to make India a developed nation by 2047, and the space sector plays a vital role in achieving this goal,” he said in the video.

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Praising the youth of the nation, the Prime Minister said, “Today, these Gen Z engineers, designers, coders and scientists are building new technologies. Be it propulsion systems, composite materials, rocket stages or satellite platforms, India’s youth is working in areas that were not even imagined some time ago.”

He also hailed the private space sector of the country and said, “India’s private space talent is making its own identity in the world. Today, India’s space sector has become a magnet for global investors.” He said that ISRO is inspiring India’s next generation of scientists. “Seeing the success of ISRO, many children think that when they grow up, they too will become scientists,” PM Modi added.

National Space Day is celebrated in India on August 23. The day marks the historic soft landing of the Chandrayaan-3 Vikram lander near the Moon’s south pole in 2023, making India the first nation to reach that region of the Moon. The achievement became a defining milestone in the country’s space programme and demonstrated the growing strength of India’s scientific and technological capabilities.

As India observes National Space Day 2026, ISRO Chairman and Secretary of the Department of Space Dr V Narayanan has called for greater innovation, collaboration and ambition as the country works towards becoming a global leader in space.

The 2026 celebrations are being held under the theme, “Towards Viksit Bharat: Innovating, Collaborating and Aspiring to Global Space Leadership.” The theme reflects India’s ambition to strengthen its scientific and technological capabilities while encouraging innovation, partnerships and greater participation in the global space ecosystem.

In his National Space Day 2026 message, Dr V Narayanan emphasised the importance of continuing to push the boundaries of science and technology while building partnerships that can strengthen India’s space ecosystem.