Pawan Goenka serves as the Chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).
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Goenka previously worked at General Motors from 1979 until 1993, served as Managing Director and CEO of Mahindra & Mahindra, and was appointed Chairman of IN-SPACe by the Central government following his retirement from Mahindra in 2021.
Where Pawan Goenka Is Now
Pawan Goenka currently leads the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) as its Chairman, following his appointment by the Central government in 2021.
- Current role: Chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) The News Minute
- Organization: Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) India.com
- Known for: Former Managing Director and CEO of Mahindra & Mahindra who directed the development of the Scorpio SUV and was conferred the Padma Shri in 2025 India.com
- Recent news: Stated that the final draft of the space bill is ready and going through the approval process, and that IN-SPACe is investing INR 300 crore to expand its technical center Report
Education and Automotive Career
Goenka received his early education at Shri Jain Vidyalaya in Kolkata, earned a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kanpur, obtained a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University, and attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School India.com.
He began his career at General Motors’ Research and Development Center in Detroit, Michigan, working there from 1979 until 1993, during which time he developed the FLARE engine friction and lubrication analysis software India.com.
In 1993, Goenka joined Mahindra & Mahindra as General Manager. As Head of R&D at the company, he directed the development of the Scorpio SUV. He became Chief Operating Officer of the Automotive Sector in 2003, Executive Director in 2013, and Managing Director and CEO in 2016 before retiring from Mahindra in 2021 India.com.
Leadership at IN-SPACe
Following his retirement from Mahindra in 2021, Goenka was appointed Chairman of IN-SPACe by the Central government India.com. In 2025, he was conferred the Padma Shri India.com.
Goenka has stated that IN-SPACe is investing INR 300 crore to expand its technical center Report.
Public Statements and Space Policy
At an industry summit, he stated that ISRO will not make or manufacture launch vehicles, noting that such work will be handled by PSUs or the private sector to enable ISRO to prioritize research, scientific missions, and technology development Outlook India.
Addressing the Bharat Space Conclave 2025 in New Delhi on March 12, 2025, Goenka stated that the Indian space sector has moved at rocket speed over a three-to-four-year span Report. He confirmed that the final draft of the space bill was ready and going through the approval process, and noted that engineering colleges are introducing space courses aiming to produce 2,000 space graduates over five years Report.