'Any Such Requests...': ISRO Scientists On Gaganyaan To Face Stricter Exit Norms As Resignations Rise
'Any Such Requests...': ISRO Scientists On Gaganyaan To Face Stricter Exit Norms As Resignations Rise Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 14:33
'Any Such Requests...': ISRO Scientists On Gaganyaan To Face Stricter Exit Norms As Resignations Rise Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 14:33 IST According to the Memorandum, requests from Group 'A' scientific and technical personnel associated with these missions will no longer be accepted as a "matter of routine". Rapid Read According to the Memorandum, requests from Group 'A' scientific and technical personnel associated with these missions will no longer be accepted as a "matter of routine". Representational image/PTI Amid a reported rise in resignations from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), the Department of Space has tightened rules for voluntary retirement and resignation of scientists associated with its most ambitious national space missions including Gaganyaan. “Off late, it has been noticed that there has been a spate of requests of voluntary retirement and resignations from Group A Scientific/Technical personnel of ISRO including those associated with the prestigious Gaganyaan mission, severely impacting the implementation of projects of national importance," the latest Office memorandum dated July 14 read.
According to the Memorandum, requests from Group ‘A’ scientific and technical personnel associated with these missions will no longer be accepted as a “matter of routine". Instead, such cases will require recommendations from Centre Directors and final approval from the Department of Space. Read More: Over 100 Scientists Quit, Centre Steps In: Inside The ISRO Brain Drain Hitting India’s Space Missions “Any such requests received from Scientific/Technical personnel even of and below the rank of Scientists/Engineer SG may be sent to the Department with clear recommendations of Directors/Heads of centres of Units for final decision," it stated. This follows a reported rise in resignations from the space agency, as well as a temporary lull in launches. According to the document, the aim is to ensure continuity in strategically important missions, including India’s human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan. Meanwhile, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is waiting to return to the launch-pad since its failure of the PSLV in January this year.
Its most dependable launch vehicle, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) suffered two consecutive failures within the past year – the first such consecutive failures in recent years. The latest setback occured in January, during a mission in January, forced ISRO to suspend PSLV launches. The preparations also continue for its most ambitious mission – Gaganyaan, the first-ever human spaceflight. The space agency is targeting to launch the first uncrewed test flight of Gaganyaan later this year. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered Will stricter rules stop ISRO scientists from leaving? It remains to be seen if stricter approval norms alone will reverse the recent talent exodus from ISRO. The Department of Space has tightened rules for voluntary retirement and resignation for scientists associated with critical national missions, including Gaganyaan. How might these changes affect Gaganyaan's timeline?
The BriefWire