Government reforms, global collaborations, and start-up innovation are set to propel India’s space economy into a multi-billion-dollar growth orbit.

Mumbai : India’s Aerospace, Drones & SpaceTech economy is on track to expand more than fivefold to USD 44 billion by 2033 creating over 200,000 new jobs in the process. This will open up a new frontier of opportunities for engineers, researchers, data scientists, and business professionals alike. Additionally, new-age roles such as Space Policy Analysts, Robotics Engineers, Avionics Specialists, and GNC (Guidance, Navigation & Control) experts are emerging as critical to India’s space ambitions. Driven by the bold government reforms, a surge in private sector participation, and international collaborations, the sector is rapidly evolving from a research-driven domain into a full-fledged industry with global ambitions.

Upcoming milestones including the Gaganyaan crewed mission scheduled next week, India’s participation in the Axiom-4 ISS program, and the development of the country’s own space station are expected to accelerate talent demand across the ecosystem, from ISRO to emerging space-tech start-ups. Today, the Indian space economy is contributing about 2% to the global market. The government has set an ambitious target of scaling this to USD 44 billion by 2033, including USD 11 billion in exports, positioning India to command 7–8% of the global space economy. Central to this growth are reforms such as the Indian Space Policy 2023, a thriving base of 250+ space startups, and a landmark ₹1,000 crore VC fund under IN-SPACe to fuel innovation and private sector participation.

“India’s Aerospace, Drones & SpaceTech sector is not just about rockets and satellites; it is about building an innovation-driven economy and workforce for the future. With strong government vision and a vibrant startup ecosystem, India is poised to become a global space hub, and this will create a wave of opportunities for talent across engineering, research, data, and business domains. Adecco, with its global experience in supporting aerospace and mobility industries, is well-prepared to help Indian organizations skill, reskill, and hire for this fast-emerging frontier. Regions such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune are expected to drive maximum opportunities, with wages for niche roles in avionics, cryogenics, ATDC (Attitude Determination & Control Systems), Remote Sensing Specialists, Space Habitat Engineer commanding a 20–30% premium over comparable technical fields.” said Deepesh Gupta, Director and Head of General Staffing, Adecco India.

India’s Aerospace, Drones & SpaceTech sector is opening opportunities across four broad categories – technical engineering, scientific research, digital & data-driven functions, and managerial/business operations. Entry-level professionals in these areas can expect pay scales in the range of 6 – 8 lakh per annum, mid-level specialists in the range of 16 – 19 lakh, while niche experts in avionics, cryogenics, robotics, or space policy may command 25 -30 lakh and above, depending on skills and experience. This diversity in roles and compensation reflects the sector’s dynamic growth and the premium placed on specialized expertise. Bangalore (37%), Chennai (17%), Pune (14%), Mumbai (12%), Delhi (11%) and Other regions (10%) like Hyderabad, Ahmedabad are expected to drive these job roles. As the industry grows, fostering diversity and enabling reverse migration to bring some of the best Indian minds back will be critical in this journey.

“Diversity will be a cornerstone of India’s space workforce. Initiatives such as the WISE Fellowship, Vigyan Jyoti Programme, ISRO Young Scientist Programme (YUVIKA), and the SAMRIDH Scheme are already enabling more women to enter technical fields, research, and entrepreneurship. With private companies and startups also stepping in, we see immense potential to foster inclusivity, giving women and underrepresented groups greater opportunities to shape the future of India’s space ecosystem,” said Deepesh Gupta, Director and Head of General Staffing, Adecco India.

Beyond core qualifications, India’s space workforce will increasingly require multi-disciplinary, future-ready skills. These include cybersecurity and satellite data protection, sustainability practices in aerospace manufacturing, AI and ethical governance in autonomous systems, cross-border regulatory expertise, and design thinking for space robotics and human-centered space missions. Adecco believes building these capabilities will be critical in ensuring India not only meets its 2033 targets but also positions itself as a global hub for space talent innovation.

Adecco, as a global workforce leader, is committed to enabling this transformation by helping organizations bridge skill gaps, scale emerging talent pools, and prepare the next generation for careers in space technology and exploration.