India’s fast-expanding space sector is set to create more than 200,000 new jobs over the next decade as private investment, government reforms, and global partnerships accelerate the country’s transition from a research-driven programme to a competitive commercial industry, according to a new analysis by Adecco India.
The HR solutions firm said in its report that the aerospace, drones and spacetech economy is projected to grow more than fivefold to USD 44 billion by 2033, up from its current contribution of about 2 per cent to the global space market. The government aims to increase this to 7–8 per cent, backed by USD 11 billion in expected exports by 2033.
The job growth outlook comes at a pivotal moment for India’s space ambitions. Next week’s Gaganyaan crewed test mission, India’s participation in the Axiom-4 ISS programme, and early-stage development of an indigenous space station are expected to sharply raise demand for engineers, analysts, scientists, and niche specialists.
Deepesh Gupta, Director and Head of General Staffing at Adecco India, said the workforce demand reflects the widening shift in India’s space ecosystem. “India’s aerospace, drones and spacetech sector is not just about rockets and satellites; it is about building an innovation-driven economy and workforce for the future,” he said. Regions such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Pune are expected to lead recruitment, with niche skills in avionics, cryogenics, remote sensing and robotics commanding wage premiums of 20–30 per cent compared with other technical fields.
Adecco attributes the rapid expansion to landmark policy reforms and an unprecedented rise in private participation. The Indian Space Policy 2023, the emergence of over 250 space startups, and a Rs 1,000 crore venture capital fund under IN-SPACe are helping widen the pipeline for commercial services such as satellite manufacturing, launch vehicles, space-based applications, and deep-tech innovation.
New job roles are emerging across technical, digital, scientific, and managerial domains. Fresh engineering graduates entering the sector can expect salaries between Rs 6 lakh and Rs 8 lakh per annum, while mid-level specialists may earn between Rs 16 lakh and Rs 19 lakh. Highly specialised roles, such as robotics engineers, avionics experts, cryogenics professionals, and space policy analysts, may draw Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh or more based on experience.
Bengaluru accounts for the largest share of new technical jobs, with 37 per cent of opportunities, followed by Chennai (17 per cent), Pune (14 per cent), Mumbai (12 per cent) and Delhi (11 per cent). Roles in payload design, propulsion, systems engineering, remote sensing, GIS analytics, and guidance, navigation and control (GNC) show the highest city-wise concentration, emphasising the depth of India’s growing talent clusters.
Beyond engineering and research, the report notes rising demand for programme managers, supply-chain specialists, international partnership executives, finance and risk analysts, and legal experts as the sector becomes more commercially oriented.
Adecco also highlighted the rising importance of gender diversity in the space workforce. Government initiatives such as the Wise fellowship, Vigyan Jyoti, Isro’s Yuvika programme, and the Samridh scheme are creating more entry points for women in advanced science, engineering, and entrepreneurship. Gupta said diversity would be “a cornerstone of India’s space workforce”, adding that inclusion efforts from both government and private firms can help fuel long-term sectoral resilience.
Emerging fields such as satellite cybersecurity, sustainability in aerospace manufacturing, AI-driven autonomous systems, space robotics, and cross-border regulatory compliance are expected to further diversify the skills India needs to meet its 2033 targets.
Adecco India said it is working with organisations to bridge existing skill gaps and prepare new teams for space technology and exploration roles. The company said its findings are based on data from more than 100 clients and market research inputs.
As India’s space ecosystem pushes into global markets and prepares for human spaceflight and commercial orbital services, the report concludes that talent development will be a decisive factor in shaping the country’s competitive edge.