New Delhi: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a series of proposals, including two major space missions—Chandrayaan-4, a new moon mission, and a mission to Venus set for launch by March 2028. Additionally, the Cabinet sanctioned a subsidy on phosphatic and potassic fertilizers and the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR).
During a media briefing, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw outlined the objectives of the Chandrayaan-4 mission. Unlike its predecessors, Chandrayaan-4 will aim to develop and demonstrate the technology to successfully return to Earth after landing on the lunar surface. The mission will also collect lunar samples for scientific analysis, marking a significant leap in India’s space exploration capabilities.
The Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), also approved by the Cabinet, represents another bold step in India’s space exploration roadmap. “The mission to Venus will contribute significantly to our understanding of the planet,” Vaishnaw remarked. This mission aligns with the government’s broader vision of studying planetary bodies within our solar system.
The total budget for Chandrayaan-4 stands at Rs 2,104.06 crore. This amount covers spacecraft development, launch vehicles, deep space network support, and specialized testing to ensure a successful mission. The spacecraft will be launched using two LVM3 rockets and is designed to return safely to Earth with lunar samples.
In tandem with the space exploration announcements, the Cabinet also approved a Rs 1,236 crore budget for the Venus Orbiter Mission. Of this, Rs 824 crore is earmarked for spacecraft development, including payloads, technological elements, and global ground station support for navigation. The mission will further enhance India’s capabilities in planetary exploration.
In addition to these space missions, the Cabinet took steps to ensure the availability of fertilizers at subsidized rates for farmers. The government approved Rs 24,474.53 crore for nutrient-based subsidies on phosphatic and potassic fertilizers for the rabi season of 2024-25. This move will ensure that farmers continue to receive essential crop nutrients at affordable prices. The fertilizer subsidy program is governed by the nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) scheme, which has been in place since April 1, 2010.
Another major announcement from the Cabinet was the establishment of the National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for AVGC-XR, which will operate as a Section 8 Company under the Companies Act, 2013. This initiative, based in Mumbai, is part of the government’s effort to promote the animation, visual effects, gaming, and extended reality sectors. The NCoE is a direct outcome of the 2022-23 budget announcement to create an AVGC task force, and it will work closely with industry bodies such as the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
“The AVGC-XR sector is poised for exponential growth, especially with the rapid evolution of technology and increasing internet penetration across India. With some of the world’s most affordable data rates, India is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this sector’s growth potential,” said Vaishnaw.
This move is expected to bolster India’s presence in media and entertainment, particularly in sectors such as filmmaking, OTT platforms, gaming, and digital advertisements. Beyond the entertainment realm, AVGC-XR is set to play a transformative role in education, healthcare, and other social sectors.
With these developments, the government is not only advancing India’s space exploration efforts but also ensuring that vital sectors such as agriculture and digital technology continue to flourish.
