New Delhi, Aug. 7 -- India's private space startups are finding it hard to get top-notch talent as there aren't enough graduates trained in niche topics and specialized skills. And even the small number of candidates available prefer companies overseas because of low salaries back home.

While companies are increasing their average pay and also training employees, niche talent in rocketry, propulsion technologies, photonics and sensors-the differentiating factors among space startups-is in short supply, according to founders, analysts and industry observers that Mint spoke with.

Around 175 institutions in India offer undergraduate degrees in aerospace engineering, while 75 offer postgraduate courses, according toMint's analysis of five e...