India Expands Astronaut Pool to Include Women and Civilians in Bold Space Push

In a landmark move to democratize space exploration, India will now include women and professionals from diverse backgrounds in its astronaut pool, breaking away from its earlier reliance solely on Indian Air Force pilots. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address on National Space Day, marking a new chapter in the country’s human spaceflight ambitions.

Prime Minister Modi addressed the country on the National Space Day, August 23, 2025. He announced plans to form a diverse astronaut pool and emphasized the need for 40–50 trained astronauts to support future missions like Gaganyaan, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, and a manned Moon mission.

From Air Force to All Walks of Life

Until now, India’s astronaut training was limited to elite Air Force personnel. The first batch for the Gaganyaan mission—Group Captains Shubhanshu Shukla, Prashanth Nair, Angad Pratap, and Ajith Krishnan—underwent rigorous training in Russia and India. However, ISRO officials confirmed that future selections will be open to women and civilians, reflecting global trends in space participation.

"The astronaut pool will not be restricted to the Air Force alone. It will have people from all walks of life,” said a senior ISRO official. Globally, it’s not just researchers but also entrepreneurs who are travelling to space.

Vision for Human Spaceflight

The initiative aligns with India’s long-term space roadmap:

• Gaganyaan Mission: First crewed flight expected by 2027
• Bharatiya Antariksh Station: Indigenous space station planned by 2035
• Manned Moon Mission: Targeted for 2040

PM Modi emphasized the need for a ready pool of 40–50 astronauts to support sustained missions and invited youth to join this national endeavor.

A New Era of Inclusivity

The decision to diversify the astronaut pool is seen as a major step toward inclusivity and innovation in India’s space program. It also fulfills a promise made by Modi in his 2018 Independence Day speech: “An Indian boy or girl will unfurl the Tricolour in space."

In my conversation with Group Captain Shubhanshu, I saw the boundless courage and infinite dreams of the youth of New Bharat. On this Space Day, I invite my young friends to join this astronaut pool and give wings to the dreams of Bharat. – PM Modi. 

Global Context

India joins a growing list of nations expanding astronaut eligibility beyond military ranks. NASA, ESA, and private companies like SpaceX have already sent scientists, engineers, and even artists into orbit.