India: satcom licensees need individual security clearance before launch, Scindia says

India's Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said at IMC 2026 that Starlink, Jio Satellite and Eutelsat OneWeb can start operations only after individual security clearance from the Home Ministry. No timeline was given, and TRAI and DoT are close to a final decision on the 4% AGR spectrum charge. Amazon's Project Kuiper was named as a fourth applicant.

• Starlink, Jio Satellite and OneWeb hold licences but await MHA clearance
• TRAI recommended a 4% AGR spectrum charge in May 2025
• Spectrum will be assigned administratively, not auctioned
• Amazon's Project Kuiper is the fourth licence applicant