The landscape of private space technology in India has found a formidable innovator in Neeraj Khandelwal. Growing up in a modest household in Chomu where his father managed a utensil business, Khandelwal has scripted an extraordinary journey to the forefront of the aerospace sector. Serving as the co-founder and chief executive officer of Bengaluru-based Astrobase Space Technologies, he leads a team that successfully engineered an 800-kilonewton full-flow staged combustion LOX-methane rocket engine named Everest. This landmark achievement has not gone unnoticed, drawing high praise and appreciation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Early Beginnings and a Brilliant Academic Leap
Khandelwal's formative years were spent in a typical small-town environment, attending a local private school while his father Ashok Khandelwal ran the family's utensil shop. Despite the ordinary circumstances, his ambitions soared much higher. Driven by a passion for science and mathematics, he moved to Kota for rigorous engineering coaching. His dedication paid off immediately when he cracked the JEE on his first attempt, securing an impressive All India Rank of 143.
Choosing Country Over a Lucrative Foreign Offer
Following his entrance success, he enrolled at IIT Bombay to study electrical engineering. Upon graduation, he received a job offer from a European firm with an annual package of roughly 50 to 60 lakh rupees. While most graduates would readily accept such a lucrative international opportunity, Khandelwal harbored a deeper ambition to build something meaningful in his own country. After a brief stint working at an associate's firm, he pivoted toward full-scale entrepreneurship.
Building Empires Across Fintech and Aerospace
In 2018, he joined forces with a partner to launch CoinDCX, a venture that scaled rapidly to employ around 800 people and generate an estimated turnover of 25,000 crore rupees. Having achieved massive financial success, he shifted his focus toward a greater national goal of technological self-reliance in advanced aerospace. He teamed up with his IIT batchmate and scientist Deva, who brought nearly a decade of research experience from ISRO, to establish Astrobase Space Technologies in Bengaluru.
Developing the Everest Engine and Earning National Acclaim
The core team dedicated roughly 18 months of intensive research, design, and rigorous testing to build the 800-kilonewton Everest engine. Operating on an LOX-methane propellant and advanced FFSC technology, the propulsion system marks a significant milestone for India's private space capabilities. The breakthrough demonstrates how domestic private enterprises are accelerating deep-tech innovation, earning direct recognition from the country's leadership.
Despite building companies worth thousands of crores and developing cutting-edge rocket hardware, Khandelwal remains deeply rooted in his hometown of Chomu, making it a point to spend holidays with his family. His trajectory from a small-town student to an aerospace pioneer highlights a powerful vision where local talent drives humanity's reach into the cosmos.
