Karnataka launches India's first state-led Centre of Excellence for Space Technology in Bengaluru

Key facts

• The Karnataka government launched the country's first state-led Centre of Excellence for Space Technology in Bengaluru on May 1, 2026.
• The Centre was established by the Karnataka government through the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) in collaboration with the Satcom Industry Association India (SIA-India).
• The Centre was inaugurated by Minister for Electronics, IT/BT, and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Priyank Kharge.
• The CoE SpaceTech Foundation has been established under a Memorandum of Agreement between KITS and SIA-India to drive research and innovation in space technologies.
• The Centre has formalised strategic MoUs with multiple industry and academic partners to support research in space biotech and microgravity, enable collaboration, build talent pipelines, and provide startups with training and market access.