Govt Steps In To Stem ISRO Exodus As Scientists Quit Key Missions

It has issued a fresh internal memorandum dated July 14 tightening rules on voluntary retirement and resignations by scientists. The memo, addressed to Directors of ISRO Centers and Unit Heads, has asked them to address this issue and not to accept any requests for voluntary retirement or resignation from scientific and technical personnel of Group ‘A’ associated with the Gaganyaan or other important missions or projects till their realization.

The exit has triggered concern as India ramps up big-ticket projects like Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan and SSLV. Attrition at ISRO is not new. The agency has long struggled to match private sector pay. Former Minister Prithviraj Chavan told Parliament that "the stupendous growth of IT and communications sector and the higher remunerative packages offered by the private sector are the main reasons for scientists/engineers to leave ISRO".

As per reports, the issue resurfaced in 2023 when former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath said nearly 60% of IITians walked out of an ISRO recruitment drive after seeing the salary structure. “After seeing the presentation, 60 per cent of people walked out,” he noted, adding that only about 1% of IIT graduates choose ISRO. Somanath, who served as ISRO chairman till January 2025, oversaw several landmark missions, including the successful Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing near the Moon's south pole and the launch of Aditya-L1, India's first solar observatory.

Dr Somanath recently joined Chennai-based space start-up Agnikul Cosmos as an observer on its board of directors, the company announced on Thursday.

The departures come at a critical time when ISRO is shifting more production work to private industry through NSIL and IN-SPACe so scientists can focus on R&D. But losing trained hands mid-mission risks delays and knowledge gaps.

On the government tightening exit policies for ISRO Group 'A' scientific and technical personnel, former ISRO scientist Sandeep Ojha said while speaking to ANI, "People do resign often because the private sector is expanding and offers alternative job opportunities. Regarding the project structure, there is a hierarchy involving Project Managers and Deputy Project Managers. There is also an administrative track leading to roles like Division Head, Group Director, Deputy Director, and Director. "Yes, if someone leaves a role they’ve been deeply involved with, it can certainly be a setback, albeit a temporary one. It might slow things down a bit, especially when a veteran of 20 or 25 years departs. While the team is capable enough to bridge that gap, a temporary setback is inevitable, " he stated.

With space sector reforms opening doors for startups and private players, the government now faces the challenge of making public research careers competitive enough to retain India’s top talent.