The Department of Space (DoS) has introduced stricter rules governing resignations and voluntary retirement for scientists working on key Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) projects, following a rise in departures from the country’s premier space agency.
A memorandum issued on July 14 directs major ISRO centres not to routinely approve exit requests from Group ‘A’ scientific and technical personnel associated with the Gaganyaan mission and other nationally significant projects.
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Fresh directive for key ISRO centres
Per a report by NDTV, the order has been sent to several ISRO establishments, including the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
Explaining the move, the memorandum, as quoted by NDTV, states, “Of late, it is noticed that there has been spate of requests for voluntary retirement and resignation from Group ‘A’ Scientific/Technical personnel of ISRO including those associated with the prestigious Gaganyaan and other important missions/projects severely impacting the implementation of projects of national importance.”
It further adds, “In view of this, it has been decided that voluntary retirement and resignation requests from Scientific & Technical personnel associated with the Gaganyaan and other important Mission / Projects may not be accepted as a matter of routine.”
Under the revised process, resignation and voluntary retirement requests from scientists and engineers, including those up to the Scientist/Engineer-SG level, will now require recommendations from the respective centre directors before being forwarded to the Department of Space for a final decision.
Rise in exits
The directive comes amid reports that more than 100 ISRO personnel have left the organisation in recent months, with the URSC in Bengaluru and the VSSC in Thiruvananthapuram among the centres recording the highest number of departures.
Among those who exited was Victor Joseph T, who had been serving as project director of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk III project at VSSC. He reportedly left the organisation in February after leading the LVM3 programme for over a year, NDTV reported.
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Several former ISRO scientists are understood to have joined private space companies following the opening up of India’s space sector to private participation in 2020 and the introduction of the Indian Space Policy in 2023.
Focus remains on future missions
The move also comes at a time when ISRO is preparing for several high-profile missions despite recent setbacks involving Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) launches.
The agency’s upcoming programmes include the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, Chandrayaan-4, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) and Mangalyaan-2, all of which remain central to India’s long-term space ambitions.
FAQs:
Why has the Centre tightened ISRO’s exit rules?
The move follows a rise in resignations and voluntary retirement requests from scientists working on key national space missions.
Which ISRO missions are affected by the new directive?
Scientists associated with Gaganyaan and other important ISRO missions will face stricter approval for resignation or voluntary retirement requests.
