Explanation:

• The Government of India is planning to set up a new rocket launch pad near Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu.
• At present, the Indian Space Research organisation has two launch pads at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikotta, Andhra Pradesh.
• The new launch pad is intended to be used for future Indian rockets including- Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk III, Avatar Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV), Unified Modular Launch Vehicle (UMLV), Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), and even older ones like Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
• The indigenously developed Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is being designed by scientists to carry smaller commercial satellites into the low-earth orbit less than 2,000 km above the earth's surface. The SSLV, which can carry 500 kg to the low earth orbit, can be assembled within days by a smaller team and at a drastically reduced price as compared to PSLV.
• The development comes on the backdrop of increasing launches from India, both for domestic as well as international customers.
• ISRO has launched most of its customer satellites with its PSLV.
• Dr Jitendra Singh is present Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space.