The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has authorised M/s Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited (SSCPL), New Delhi, to provide satellite-based internet services in India. The authorisation allows the company to use its Starlink Gen1 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation to operate in Indian territory.

The approval is valid for five years from the date of issuance or until the Gen1 satellite system reaches the end of its operational life—whichever comes earlier. However, Starlink must still obtain all necessary clearances, licenses, and approvals from other regulatory bodies before starting its services in the country.

Starlink’s Gen1 system includes 4,408 satellites orbiting at altitudes between 540 and 570 kilometres. This setup is capable of delivering a throughput of approximately 600 Gbps across India. The system is designed to offer high-speed broadband access to a wide range of users—particularly in remote and rural areas where conventional internet infrastructure is either weak or absent.

The @Starlink satellites minimize brightness and resulting impacts on ground-based astronomy by employing a dielectric mirror on the satellite to reflect light away from the Earth, along with off-pointing of the solar arrays and black paint on satellite components. Low altitude…

— Michael Nicolls (@michaelnicollsx) July 8, 2025

The service also targets urban users, aiming to improve reliability and speed for households, businesses, and even emergency services. By bridging connectivity gaps, Starlink's technology is expected to play a key role in enhancing access to education, digital commerce, and public services.

The approval is a major step in India’s plan to liberalise its space sector and promote private involvement. With Starlink’s entry, India aims to accelerate the deployment of modern communication systems and reduce its digital divide. The development supports the broader Digital India initiative, which seeks to make internet access more inclusive and widespread.

SpaceX today received the final approval it needed from India's government to introduce @Starlink in the country. Indian Regulators today granted Starlink a licence to launch commercial operations in the country. pic.twitter.com/JXBEEmpvoM

— Baba Banaras™ (@RealBababanaras) July 9, 2025

A spokesperson from IN-SPACe stated that Starlink’s operations in the country will be monitored for compliance with national security norms and regulatory standards. The move aligns with international trends where LEO satellite services are becoming essential to delivering internet access globally.

Starlink, a project backed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has already launched services in Sri Lanka, signalling its active expansion in the South Asian region. With the IN-SPACe clearance, India becomes one of the latest countries to adopt LEO satellite technology to improve its internet infrastructure.

Industry observers believe that this approval can potentially transform internet access for millions of Indians, especially in areas where terrestrial infrastructure is insufficient.

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