Can school marks truly determine a person’s future? The remarkable journey of Pawan Kumar Chandana suggests otherwise. The Hyderabad-born entrepreneur, who reportedly scored 51 marks in Mathematics during school, has gone on to become the co-founder and CEO of Skyroot Aerospace, India’s first space-tech unicorn. After studying Mechanical Engineering at IIT Kharagpur and spending nearly six years at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Chandana left a secure government job in 2018 to build a private space company alongside fellow engineer Naga Bharath Daka.
Today, Skyroot has become a billion-dollar company and is preparing for the orbital launch of Vikram-1, reinforcing India’s growing presence in the global space economy. His story has sparked widespread conversations around academic pressure, career choices and the importance of curiosity over conventional definitions of success.
A Middle-Class Childhood That Defied Expectations
Born into a middle-class family in Hyderabad, Chandana was not always considered a future rocket scientist or entrepreneur. Like millions of Indian students, he navigated the pressures of school examinations and expectations surrounding academic performance. Mathematics was one of his weaker subjects, and his score of 51 has recently become a talking point across social media, challenging the common belief that school marks determine a person’s long-term success.
However, his journey began to change during his preparation for engineering entrance examinations. Instead of viewing science and mathematics as subjects to memorise, he started understanding their practical applications in solving real-world problems. That growing curiosity became a turning point that would eventually shape his career and future ambitions.
IIT Kharagpur And ISRO Built The Foundation For His Dreams
Chandana secured admission to IIT Kharagpur, where he pursued a dual degree in Mechanical Engineering. The institute provided him with technical expertise, exposure to advanced engineering concepts and confidence to pursue ambitious goals.
In 2012, he joined ISRO and spent nearly six years working on some of India’s most significant space programmes, including the GSLV Mk III launch vehicle, the S-200 solid rocket booster and the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). The experience offered him an invaluable understanding of rocket systems, propulsion technologies and large-scale scientific collaboration.
Working inside India’s premier space agency also allowed him to witness the rapid transformation of the global space industry, where private companies were beginning to play a bigger role alongside government institutions.
Taking A Leap Of Faith: Building Skyroot Aerospace From Scratch
In 2018, Chandana made a bold decision that many considered risky. He resigned from his secure government position and co-founded Skyroot Aerospace with fellow former ISRO engineer Naga Bharath Daka.
At the time, India’s private space ecosystem was still in its infancy. Regulations were evolving, investor confidence was limited and the idea of a private Indian company building rockets was still relatively new. Yet the founders believed India could create its own globally competitive space industry.
Their efforts paid off in November 2022, when Skyroot launched Vikram-S under Mission Prarambh, becoming the first privately developed Indian rocket to reach space. The milestone marked a historic moment, demonstrating that private enterprises could become important contributors to India’s space ambitions.
Over the years, Skyroot continued expanding its capabilities by investing in advanced manufacturing, developing next-generation launch systems and attracting international investors.
From Historic Launches To A Billion-Dollar Future
Skyroot Aerospace has since emerged as a major player in India’s growing space economy. In 2026, the company crossed a valuation of more than $1 billion, becoming India’s first space-tech unicorn after raising fresh investments from global backers.
The company is now preparing for Vikram-1, its first orbital-class launch vehicle designed to deploy small satellites into orbit efficiently and affordably. Skyroot has repeatedly emphasised its vision of making space more accessible through reliable, regular and dedicated launch services.
For India, the rise of companies like Skyroot also represents a broader shift towards public-private collaboration in strategic sectors, creating opportunities for innovation, employment and global competitiveness.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Pawan Kumar Chandana’s story is not an argument against education or academic excellence. Instead, it is a reminder that marksheets are merely snapshots of one moment in a person’s life and should never become lifelong labels.
In a society where students often equate their self-worth with examination scores, stories like his challenge a deeply ingrained mindset. Success is shaped by many factors beyond grades, including curiosity, resilience, adaptability, perseverance and the courage to take risks.
His journey also highlights the importance of creating educational environments that encourage experimentation instead of fear of failure. India needs more ecosystems that allow young people to discover their strengths without being permanently defined by a single report card.
If a student who once struggled with Mathematics can go on to build a billion-dollar company that is helping shape India’s future in space, perhaps it is time to broaden our understanding of what success truly means.
Do you think Indian society is ready to stop treating marks as the ultimate measure of potential and begin valuing curiosity, persistence and lifelong learning just as much?
