GSLV-F08 taking off with GSAT-6A communication/military satellite placed into a precise orbit

At least four space programs flagged as "projects of national importance" are likely to suffer a huge setback with India's finance ministry being able to allocate only 65 percent of the Department of Space’s projected budget for the upcoming financial year

New Delhi: India's four strategically important space programs, including one of the world's most successful PSLV mission, are reportedly facing a severe fund shortage which may force the space scientists of the country to delay the project. The shortage is so severe that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) may not be able to "advance actions for procurement of materials and renewal of fabrication contracts with the partner industries," according to a report submitted by the Department of Space to a parliamentary panel last month.

The Department of Space said it had made a projection of $2.5 billion for the financial year 2018-19 — beginning April 18 — against which an amount of $1.6 (65%) billion has been allocated, because of which the department is forced to reprioritize its projects, including the development of the semi-cryo stage — crucial for heavy lift rockets.

"The impact of reduction (in budget allocation) is affected in PSLV continuation (Phase-6), GSLV Mk III continuation, GSAT follow-on missions, semi-cryo stage development, advanced launch vehicle development, etc.," the department said before the parliamentary panel on space.