Who the Rules Cover
Unlike private sector employees, ISRO scientists are governed by Central Civil Services (CCS) rules. This means their employment terms, including resignations, fall under government authority. For most scientists who join through the centralised recruitment
process, there is no service bond; they only need to serve a notice period. However, an exception exists for graduates of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), whose education is sponsored by ISRO. They are required to sign a service bond, obligating them to work for the organisation for a set period, typically three years. In July 2026, amid rising attrition, the Department of Space (DoS) tightened these rules. It reversed a 2020 policy, stripping regional centre directors of the authority to approve resignations for senior scientists involved in critical projects like Gaganyaan. Now, all such requests require final approval from the DoS itself, a move aimed at preventing sudden departures from jeopardising national missions.
Why Talent Is Leaving
The reasons for the exodus are multifaceted. While ISRO has historically dealt with attrition, the recent wave of over 100 departures has been significant enough to trigger government intervention. A major factor is the dramatic pay disparity. An entry-level scientist at ISRO earns a basic pay of around ₹56,100 per month, with a gross salary of about ₹72,000-₹85,000. In stark contrast, top engineering graduates can command starting salaries of ₹20-30 LPA in private tech firms. This gap persists throughout their careers. A senior ISRO scientist with decades of experience might top out at around ₹2.5 lakh per month, while founders of space startups, many of whom are ex-ISRO employees, are building companies valued in the hundreds of crores.
The Lure of the Private Sector
Since India opened its space sector to private participation in 2020, hundreds of startups have emerged, creating a competitive market for aerospace talent. Companies like Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, and Pixxel, often founded by former ISRO scientists, offer not just significantly higher salaries but also stock options, faster career growth, and more agile work environments. These startups are working on everything from launch vehicles to satellite constellations, providing exciting opportunities for innovation without the bureaucratic hurdles often associated with government organisations. Beyond pay, some scientists leave in search of greater professional dignity and intellectual freedom, citing concerns about bureaucracy stifling scientific work.
What Recruitment Can Solve
ISRO actively recruits through its Centralised Recruitment Board (ICRB) and uses GATE scores to attract talent. The organisation is in the process of filling over 1,000 scientific, technical, and administrative posts. However, recruitment alone cannot solve the retention problem. Former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath once noted that 60% of IIT candidates walked out of a recruitment drive after seeing the salary structure. While hiring new talent can fill vacancies, it doesn't address the core reasons why experienced personnel are leaving. Simply bringing in more people at the entry-level cannot easily replace the mission-specific knowledge and deep expertise lost when a senior scientist departs. Critics argue that administrative restrictions on resignations might hurt morale and are a temporary fix for a problem that requires systemic solutions.
