What is the New Protocol?
The Department of Space (DoS) has implemented a major administrative change affecting how scientists and engineers at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) can resign or take voluntary retirement. According to an internal memorandum dated July
14, 2026, the authority to approve these exits for key personnel has been centralised. Previously, under a 2020 order, directors of individual ISRO centres could approve resignations for scientists up to the Scientist/Engineer-SG level. The new directive reverses this, mandating that all such requests from Group 'A' scientific and technical personnel involved in crucial projects must now be forwarded to the Department of Space for a final decision. Centre directors have been explicitly advised not to accept these resignations as a matter of routine, especially until the associated project is completed.
Why the Sudden Change?
The directive was prompted by what the DoS described as a "spate of requests for voluntary retirement and resignation" from personnel, including those vital to prestigious programmes like the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. According to the memorandum, this trend was "severely impacting the implementation of projects of national importance." Reports suggest that between 100 and 120 scientists have resigned from ISRO in recent months. These departures have been noted at critical hubs like the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, raising concerns about retaining specialised expertise and ensuring mission continuity. The new policy is a direct response aimed at preventing sudden skill gaps from jeopardising India's ambitious space roadmap.
Who Are 'Key Personnel'?
The revised protocol specifically targets Group 'A' scientific and technical personnel associated with Gaganyaan and other strategically important missions. While not every employee is affected, the focus is squarely on the experienced scientists and engineers whose departure could disrupt projects of national significance. Among the high-profile exits reported are senior figures like the LVM-3 Project Director and the SpaDeX Project Director, as well as a key scientist from the Chandrayaan-3 simulation team. By centralising approvals, the DoS aims to get a clearer, top-level view of attrition in these sensitive areas and make decisions that prioritise project stability. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan stated the move is not just about retention but also about ensuring that crucial projects do not suffer from abrupt departures.
The Bigger Picture: Talent and Ambition
This policy shift highlights a growing challenge for ISRO: competing with India's burgeoning private space industry. Many scientists are reportedly being lured by significantly higher salaries, leadership roles, stock options, and a more agile work culture at private startups. While ISRO has long been the premier destination for space scientists in India, the landscape is changing. Critics argue that administrative hurdles on exits don't address the root causes of attrition. However, from the government's perspective, the immediate priority is to safeguard its massive investment and the institutional knowledge built over years for complex missions like Gaganyaan. Chairman Narayanan acknowledged the departures as a normal part of any organisation but stressed that responsibilities would be reassigned to ensure continuity.
