What Is the New Policy?
In a significant administrative shift, the Department of Space (DoS) has rolled back a 2020 policy that allowed directors of individual ISRO centres to approve resignations and voluntary retirements. According to a new internal memorandum dated July 14,
2026, all such requests from Group 'A' scientific and technical personnel involved in critical national missions must now be forwarded to the DoS headquarters in New Delhi for the final decision. Centre directors have been instructed not to approve these exit requests routinely, especially until the projects the scientists are working on are completed. This effectively creates a higher administrative barrier, centralising authority and making it more difficult for personnel key to strategic projects to depart quickly.
Why the Sudden Change?
The policy reversal is a direct response to what the DoS memorandum described as a "spate of requests for voluntary retirement and resignation" that was "severely impacting implementation of projects of national importance." According to multiple reports, between 100 and 120 experienced scientists have resigned from ISRO in recent months. The departures have been concentrated in critical hubs, with some reports indicating that around 80 specialists left the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru, a key satellite hub, and at least 20 engineers resigned from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, which is crucial for launch vehicle technology. The exodus includes high-profile individuals, such as a project director for the LVM3 rocket and a key simulation manager for the historic Chandrayaan-3 mission. This loss of invaluable institutional knowledge is seen as a direct threat to India's most ambitious space endeavours.
The Pull of the Private Sector
A major factor driving this talent migration is the explosive growth of India's private space industry. Since the sector was opened to private participation in 2020, over 400 space startups like Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, and Pixxel have emerged, attracting significant investment. These companies often offer significantly higher salaries, stock options, greater flexibility, and faster career growth. For decades, ISRO was the primary destination for India's top aerospace talent. Now, these scientists are being lured by the opportunity to take on leadership roles and work in fast-paced environments where ideas can quickly become reality. Ironically, the very policies designed to create a vibrant national space ecosystem are now creating stiff competition for the government agency that anchored it for so long.
Safeguarding National Ambitions
The government's intervention underscores the high stakes involved. ISRO is currently juggling several complex, high-prestige projects. These include Gaganyaan, India's first human spaceflight mission, as well as future endeavours like the Chandrayaan-4 lunar sample return mission and the planned Bharatiya Antariksh Station (space station). These missions require deep, specialised expertise built over decades. The sudden departure of senior scientists can disrupt project continuity, create knowledge gaps, and leave younger teams without critical mentorship, potentially causing delays and compromising mission success. While ISRO Chairman V Narayanan has stated that the organisation can manage the transition and reassign responsibilities, the new directive is a clear signal that the government is unwilling to risk its flagship programmes.
