The Previous Protocol: A Decentralised Approach
Until recently, the procedure for a scientist or engineer to resign or take voluntary retirement from ISRO was a relatively decentralised affair. Under a policy delegation introduced in 2020, the power to approve these exits for many senior scientific
personnel rested with the directors of individual ISRO centres. This meant that the head of a specific facility, like the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) or the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), could make the final decision on an exit request. This system allowed for quicker, localised administrative processing, giving centre directors autonomy over their team management up to a certain level of seniority.
The New Directive: A Centralised Review
According to a memorandum issued by the Department of Space (DoS) on July 14, 2026, this policy has been reversed. The new protocol mandates that resignation and voluntary retirement requests from Group 'A' scientific and technical personnel, especially those associated with critical national projects, can no longer be accepted as a matter of routine at the centre level. Instead, every such request must be forwarded to the Department of Space headquarters. The respective centre director's recommendations must be included, but the final decision-making authority now lies with the DoS. This effectively centralises the entire exit process, bringing it under the direct oversight of the department that governs the nation's space programme.
The Reason for the Revision: Stemming Talent Outflow
The official memorandum leaves little doubt about the reason for this change. It explicitly states that there has been a "spate of requests for voluntary retirement and resignation" which is "severely impacting the implementation of projects of national importance." Reports indicate that over 100 scientists and engineers have left the organisation in recent months. Many of these individuals were involved in high-priority missions, including the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme and the Chandrayaan-3 mission. The departures include senior figures like a project director for the LVM3 rocket, which is crucial for the Gaganyaan mission. The new rules are a direct response to this trend, aimed at preventing further disruption to these strategic projects by retaining experienced personnel.
Impact on Scientists and the Organisation
For a scientist wanting to leave, the new protocol likely means a longer and more complex exit process. While they are still free to resign under service rules, the additional layer of approval from the Department of Space introduces a significant bureaucratic step. For ISRO, the move is a clear attempt to manage a growing attrition problem and safeguard its institutional knowledge. Many senior personnel possess decades of specialised expertise that is difficult to replace quickly through new recruitment. However, critics argue that administrative hurdles do little to address the root causes of these departures. Minister of State Jitendra Singh stated the change was to ensure decisions are made at a "more mature level," downplaying a manpower crisis.
A Sign of a Changing Space Sector
This policy shift at ISRO does not exist in a vacuum. It is happening against the backdrop of a booming private space industry in India. Since the sector was opened to private players in 2020, over 400 space startups have emerged. These companies are attracting seasoned ISRO talent by offering significantly higher salaries, stock options, faster career progression, and greater flexibility. For decades, ISRO was the primary destination for India's top aerospace talent. Now, it finds itself competing for that same talent. The movement of experienced scientists from the public to the private sector is seen by some not as a brain drain, but as a healthy migration that strengthens India's overall space ecosystem.
