ISRO planned 7 launches by March. 6 didn't happen
03 Apr 2026

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has missed six major mission deadlines, which were supposed to be completed by March 2026.

The information was shared by Union Minister Jitendra Singh in December last year. He had said the Department of Space had planned seven major missions by this date.

So far, only one mission has been successfully accomplished—the LVM3 M6 mission by NewSpace India Ltd., which took place on December 24, 2025.

Six delayed missions
Mission delays

The remaining six missions were supposed to be launched in the first three months of 2026. They include PSLV C62/EOS-N1, which couldn't achieve its intended trajectory, and HLVM3-G1/OM1, the first uncrewed test flight of Gaganyaan.

Other delayed missions are GSLV-F17/EOS-05, PSLV C63/TDS-01, PSLV-N1/EOS-10 (the first PSLV vehicle developed by NewSpace India Ltd through a consortium of Indian industries), and SSLV-L1/NSIL.

Only 3 satellites in NavIC working
System failure

Adding to the woes, only three satellites in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) constellation have working atomic clocks. This is a major setback for ISRO's indigenous GPS system, NavIC.

The clock on IRNSS-1F satellite failed on March 13, after completing its design mission life of 10 years on March 10.

Despite this setback, ISRO plans to repurpose IRNSS-1F for one-way broadcast messaging services like storm forecasts.

Notable achievements in March
Mission progress

In March, ISRO successfully conducted a sea-level hot test of its CE20 cryogenic engine with a thrust of 22 tons. The engine powers the third and uppermost stage of the LVM3 rocket, which has been qualified for the Gaganyaan mission.

On the international front, ISRO and European Space Agency signed an agreement for 'Joint Calibration and Validation Activities and Scientific Studies for Earth Observation Missions.'

Parliamentary panel raises concerns over technology transfers
Sector concerns

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology has raised concerns over technology transfers in the space sector at disproportionately low prices.

It said such undervalued technologies are enabling private partners to make huge profits while the originating institutes get only a small portion of the value created.

The committee has recommended that the Department of Space consider a more competitive and market-based pricing model for technology transfers.