The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has introduced new measures to reduce the growing number of scientists and engineers leaving the organisation, particularly those working on critical missions such as Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight programme.
In an internal memorandum, ISRO directed its centres to tighten the process for accepting resignations from employees involved in strategic projects. Officials have been asked to carefully examine resignation requests and ensure that the departure of key personnel does not affect ongoing missions or future programmes.
The move comes after ISRO noticed an increase in resignations in recent years, especially among experienced scientists and engineers with expertise in specialised fields. Many have reportedly left for better-paying opportunities in the private space sector, technology companies and research organisations, raising concerns about the impact on high-priority national missions.
According to the new guidelines, employees working on important programmes, including Gaganyaan, launch vehicle development, satellite missions and other strategic projects, may be required to complete a structured handover before their resignations are processed. Centre directors have also been asked to assess whether an employee’s exit could disrupt mission timelines or lead to the loss of critical technical knowledge.
The space agency believes retaining skilled professionals is essential as India prepares for several ambitious missions over the next few years. These include the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, future lunar and planetary exploration programmes, advanced launch vehicles and next-generation satellite projects.
The memorandum also highlights the importance of preserving institutional knowledge built over years of research and mission experience. ISRO has asked its centres to improve workforce planning and strengthen knowledge transfer so that projects continue smoothly even when employees leave.
Experts say the rapid growth of India’s private space industry has created more career opportunities for highly trained engineers and scientists, making it increasingly challenging for government organisations to retain talent. Competitive salaries, faster career growth and new research opportunities are attracting experienced professionals away from public sector institutions.
Despite the challenges, ISRO remains focused on delivering its upcoming missions on schedule. Officials believe the new measures will help maintain continuity in strategic programmes while ensuring that the organisation retains the expertise needed to support India’s expanding ambitions in space exploration and human spaceflight.
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