Why is ISRO making it harder for scientists to resign? | Explained
ISRO tightens resignation rules for scientists, addressing recent departures and concerns over project continuity amid a competitive space sector.
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The Department of Space has tightened resignation rules for scientists working on key missions such as Gaganyaan. Here’s why the government acted, what critics say, and what it means for ISRO
Updated - July 18, 2026 01:07 pm IST - The story so far:
Around 100 scientists have left some of ISRO’s most strategically important centres in recent months, renewing attention on talent retention within India’s space programme. File | Photo Credit: Reuters
The Department of Space (DoS) has tightened exit rules for scientists working on India’s most important space missions after a spate of resignations from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Under a July 14 memorandum, scientists and engineers associated with Gaganyaan and other major programmes will no longer be allowed to leave through voluntary retirement or resignation as a matter of routine. Instead, every such request must be referred to the Department of Space for a final decision. The move follows the departure of around 100 scientists in recent months from some of ISRO’s most strategically important centres.
The memorandum leaves little doubt about the government’s concern. It says there has been a “spate of requests for voluntary retirement and resignation” from Group ‘A’ scientific and technical personnel, including those associated with “prestigious Gaganyaan and other important missions/projects”, which is “severely impacting implementation of projects of national importance.”
Published - July 18, 2026 12:44 pm IST
Bangalore / The Hindu Explains / space programme / space programme / ISRO / Karnataka
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