The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has thrown open a significant opportunity for the country's academic and research community. On Tuesday, the space agency unveiled the 'RESPOND Basket 2025', a comprehensive document outlining priority research problems that require solutions from universities and institutes. The deadline for submitting detailed project proposals is January 31, 2026.
A Strategic Roadmap for Space Collaboration
This initiative is a strategic move to deepen collaboration between ISRO and academia. The basket acts as a detailed roadmap, pinpointing specific mission-linked research and development (R&D) needs. The identified areas are critical for India's future in space and span a wide spectrum: from launch vehicles and satellite technology to the ambitious domains of human spaceflight, planetary science, and cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technologies.
This is the sixth edition of the RESPOND Basket, and it marks an evolution in focus. Unlike previous versions, RESPOND Basket 2025 places a stronger emphasis on prototype development and improving Technology Readiness Levels (TRL). This shift is aimed at transforming theoretical research into tangible, flight-ready hardware and software solutions.
Fueling India's Next-Gen Space Missions
The timing of this release is crucial. ISRO is preparing for an expanded and ambitious roadmap that includes several high-profile programmes. The research proposals sought through this basket are intended to directly support upcoming missions such as:
- The continuation missions of the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.
- The Chandrayaan-4 lunar mission.
- The development of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), India's own space station.
- Future planetary exploration projects, including a planned Venus orbiter.
The document has been issued by ISRO's Capacity Building and Public Outreach office. It consolidates research topics proposed by more than a dozen centres under ISRO and the Department of Space. Key contributors include the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), Space Applications Centre (SAC), Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), and the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC).
How to Participate and What's Expected
Eligibility for applying is clear. Faculty members and scientists from recognised academic institutions and autonomous research bodies can submit proposals. Each research topic listed in the basket comes with a defined scope, expected deliverables, and clear linkages to specific ISRO programmes, providing applicants with precise guidance.
ISRO has outlined the evaluation criteria that its expert panels will use to assess the incoming proposals. The assessment will be based on:
- The novelty and innovation of the proposed idea.
- The technical approach and methodology.
- Overall feasibility of the project.
- The experience and capability of the Principal Investigator.
- Project duration and the proposed budget.
The agency highlighted the sustained role academia has played since the sponsored research programme began in the early 1970s. Since the first RESPOND Basket was launched in 2018, a total of 871 research problems have been shared with institutions, with many solutions feeding directly into operational and experimental space missions.
Ultimately, this initiative serves a dual purpose. While its immediate goal is to solve pressing technological challenges for ongoing and future missions, its broader vision is to build a highly skilled scientific workforce. This talent pool is essential for supporting not just ISRO, but the entire growing ecosystem of India's commercial space industry.
