Renowned industrialist and space sector leader Dr. Pawan Kumar Goenka has been conferred with the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours, in the category of Trade and Industry. The award recognizes his transformative leadership in India’s automotive and space sectors, and his contribution to advancing indigenous innovation and private enterprise.
Dr. Goenka, currently serving as the Chairman of IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center), has played a pivotal role in opening up India’s space sector to private players. Under his leadership, IN-SPACe has become a key driver in enabling commercial space activities and fostering collaborations between government agencies and private innovators.
Before his work in the space sector, Dr. Goenka had a distinguished career spanning nearly three decades at Mahindra & Mahindra, where he served as Managing Director and helped lead the development of iconic vehicles such as the Scorpio and XUV series, and was instrumental in strengthening the company’s research and development ecosystem.
Speaking after the announcement, Dr. Goenka said, “This honour reflects the hard work and support of countless colleagues, engineers, scientists, and mentors who shaped my journey. I am grateful to be part of India’s growth story in both mobility and space.”
An alumnus of IIT Kanpur and Cornell University, Dr. Goenka is also recognized for his contributions to academia and research, particularly in the field of tribology and engine technology.
The award ceremony was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu presented the Padma Shri to Dr. Goenka along with other distinguished awardees.
This recognition cements Dr. Goenka’s legacy as a visionary leader who bridged traditional manufacturing and future-facing innovation, setting benchmarks in both public and private sector development.
