ISRO halts resignations of Gaganyaan scientists amid exodus

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is facing an exodus of talent, with nearly 100 scientists and engineers leaving the space agency across various centres. In response, the Department of Space (DoS) has issued a memorandum to curb resignations from personnel involved in critical missions of national importance, including the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.

The memorandum, dated July 14, 2026, and signed by S.R. Rajashekar, Joint Secretary (Personnel), DoS, states: 'Of late, it is noticed that there has been a 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.'

The directive, addressed to directors of ISRO centres and heads of units, instructs them not to accept voluntary retirement or resignation requests from scientific and technical personnel associated with Gaganyaan or other key missions until their completion. The memorandum adds: 'It has been decided that voluntary retirement and resignation requests from scientific and technical personnel associated with Gaganyaan and other important mission/projects may not be accepted as a matter of routine.'

If such requests are received from personnel even at or below the rank of Scientists/Engineers-SG, they must be forwarded to the DoS with clear recommendations from centre heads for a final decision.

During the last budget session of Parliament, Union Minister Jitendra Singh, in a reply on February 11, 2026, disclosed that ISRO's overall sanctioned strength (Science & Technology and Administration) was 18,142, with a vacancy of 2,613 positions. Recruitment had been initiated for 1,449 personnel. In the Science & Technology category, there were 1,636 vacancies, with 1,261 recruitments in progress. In Administration, the sanctioned strength is 4,034, with 3,057 personnel in position.

The minister noted an overall vacancy of 14.4%, with recruitment actions underway for 8% of vacancies, while action for the remaining 5% is yet to begin. He said: 'For 1,449 posts, recruitment actions are in progress and are in various phases. The department ensures that these are anticipated to be completed by October 2026. With respect to the remaining 933 posts, recruitment actions are being initiated, and filling of vacancies is dependent on the outcomes of the selection processes.'

The Gaganyaan mission is already behind schedule. The first uncrewed mission, HLVM3 G1/OM1, was slated for launch in the first quarter of 2026 but has been delayed.