Meet the man in-charge of IN-SPACe, which aims to push India’s space economy to the next level

Government's push to involve more private companies has been among the key initiatives in India’s efforts to increase its share in the global space economy. And, a key role in implementation of the Space reforms that enable private participation has been the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).

Since its inception, IN-SPACe is led by Pawan Goenka, its chairman, who earlier this year was honoured with the Padma Shri, reflecting his enduring impact and leadership across industries. But who is Pawan Goenka, Let’s find out:

Goenka is a seasoned industry leader whose career spans multiple sectors, including automotive and space. A graduate of IIT Kanpur, Cornell University, and Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Programme, Goenka’s journey began in the automotive industry at General Motors, followed by a long tenure at Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M). There, he played a significant role in shaping India’s automotive landscape, developing products that became industry benchmarks and inspiring a generation of engineers and business leaders.

Born on September 23, 1954, in Harpalpur, Madhya Pradesh, Goenka earned a B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kanpur and later pursued a Ph.D. at Cornell University, USA. He also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. Goenka began his career at the General Motors R&D Centre in Detroit, USA, where he worked from 1979 to 1993.

In the early 1990s, Goenka returned to India, choosing to leave behind a successful career in the United States. At Mahindra & Mahindra, he transformed the company’s automotive R&D, expanding it from a modest 5-acre facility with 150 employees to a state-of-the-art 200-acre campus with 3,000 people. This transformation helped position M&M as a respected global brand. Goenka’s leadership led to the development of the Scorpio SUV, which earned him the nickname "Scorpio Man". He also served as the Chairman of SsangYong Motor Company following its acquisition by M&M and until its divestment in 2022.

Currently, as the Chairperson of IN-SPACe, Goenka is at the forefront of India’s space sector, working to create a more accessible and dynamic space ecosystem. He has been instrumental in shaping policies that encourage private sector involvement and foster collaboration between start-ups, entrepreneurs, and established industries, alongside government agencies like Isro. His work has been crucial in the formulation of the Indian Space Policy 2023, setting a strategic roadmap to bolster India’s indigenous capabilities in satellite technology and space research. Goenka envisions a self-reliant, research-driven space industry that contributes to India’s growth as a global leader in space.

Goenka is a Fellow of SAE International and The Indian National Academy of Engineers, and a member of the National Academy of Engineers, USA. He serves as the Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Madras and leads the Steering Committee for Advancing Local Value-Add and Exports (SCALE), an initiative under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. He has also held prominent roles as President of SIAM and the Society of Automotive Engineers India, as well as a Board Member of the National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) National Council.

In recognition of his contributions, Goenka has received several accolades, including the prestigious FISITA Medal from the International Federation of Automotive Engineering Societies. He has also been honoured with the Burt L. Newkirk Award, the Charles L. McCuen Achievement Award, and the Automotive Man of the Year Award, among others. In March 2022, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) for his unparalleled contribution to the automotive industry.