Space Activities Bill

{{Short description|Proposed space legislation in India}}

{{Update|reason=Any update since 2022?|date=March 2025}}

India's Space Activities Bill will provide for a dedicated space legislation for India. The draft was first made public for comments by the Department of Space in November 2017.{{Cite news|last=Pacha|first=Aswathi|date=2017-11-23|title=The Hindu Explains: What is the Space Activities Bill, 2017?|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/the-hindu-explains-what-is-the-space-activities-bill-2017/article20680984.ece|access-date=2020-07-07|issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web|date=21 November 2017|title=Seeking comments on Draft "Space Activities Bill, 2017" from the stake holders/public -regarding. - ISRO|url=https://www.isro.gov.in/update/21-nov-2017/seeking-comments-draft-space-activities-bill-2017-stake-holders-public-regarding|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830213615/https://www.isro.gov.in/update/21-nov-2017/seeking-comments-draft-space-activities-bill-2017-stake-holders-public-regarding|archive-date=30 August 2019|access-date=2020-07-07|website=www.isro.gov.in}} The bill covers various factors of India's space goals, including international and national obligations, defines offences and subsequent punishments, barriers of entry for private companies, liability for damages caused in space etc.{{Cite web|last=V|first=Ashok G.|date=19 April 2019|title=The Space Activities bill- Does it deliver?|url=https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/the-space-activities-bill-does-it-deliver-50019/|access-date=2020-07-07|website=ORF|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Gill|first=Prabhjote|date=26 June 2019|title=India's new 'Space Activities Bill' will fix the liability for damage caused in outer space|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/india-space-activities-bill-addresses-damage-in-outer-space/articleshow/69960212.cms|access-date=2020-07-07|website=Business Insider}} On 5 July 2020, Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, ISRO K Sivan said that the Space Activities Bill is in its final stages.{{Cite news|date=2020-07-05|title=Space policy, Space Activities Bill in final stages: ISRO chairman|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/space-policy-space-activities-bill-in-final-stages-isro-chairman/articleshow/76800775.cms|access-date=2020-07-07}} Accordingly, the Bill will be placed in both house of Parliament. After due parliamentary procedure, the Space Activities Act will pave the way for the formation of space rules.{{Cite web|last=Lele|first=Ajay|date=2019-07-02|title=Space Activities Bill: India's great galactic leap|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/science/space-activities-bill-indias-great-galactic-leap/1625980/|access-date=2020-07-07|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US}} For private companies to start space launches in India, the Act is needed to be in effect.{{Cite web|last=Dutt|first=Anonna|date=2020-06-26|title=Space activities bill must come into force, says ISRO chief|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/space-activities-bill-must-come-into-force-isro-chief/story-l1tQ5Nh5vJsrYE6OYYTZpL.html|access-date=2020-07-07|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}