India’s drone and space-tech industry is shifting commercially, driven by reforms, private investment, and global collaboration, creating high-demand roles with 20–30% higher wages in key cities
Mumbai
India’s aerospace, drones, and space technology sector is poised for rapid expansion, with the industry expected to grow more than five-fold to USD 44 billion by 2033, according to a report by Adecco India. This growth is projected to generate over 2 lakh new jobs across engineering, research, data science, and business roles.
The report highlights that India’s drone and space-tech industry is transitioning from a primarily research-driven domain to a full-fledged commercial industry, spurred by government reforms, private-sector participation, and international collaborations. Emerging roles such as Space Policy Analysts, Robotics Engineers, Avionics Specialists, and GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) experts are expected to be in high demand.
Key growth regions include Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Pune, with niche technical roles commanding 20-30% higher wages than standard engineering positions. Government initiatives such as the Indian Space Policy 2023, a Rs 1,000 crore VC fund under IN-SPACe, and support for 250+ space startups are central to this expansion.
Diversity and inclusion are also being emphasized, with programs like WISE Fellowship, Vigyan Jyoti Programme, ISRO Young Scientist Programme (YUVIKA), and SAMRIDH encouraging more women to enter technical fields, research, and entrepreneurship.
Future milestones, including the Gaganyaan mission, India’s participation in the Axiom-4 ISS program, and development of a national space station, are expected to further accelerate demand for talent. Currently contributing around 2% to the global space economy, India aims to capture 7–8% of the global market by 2033, including USD 11 billion in exports, positioning itself as a leading global space hub.
This boom underscores India’s strategic push to become a global space leader while generating significant employment opportunities in high-tech domains.
