Is the Modi Government Undermining ISRO's Role in Space Exploration?

The Congress party has voiced serious concerns regarding the Modi government's approach to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), alleging that its efforts to promote start-ups are undermining ISRO's role. With key employee associations expressing doubts about the agency's privatization, the party warns that valuable capabilities built over decades may be transferred to private companies with uncertain commitments. This comes on the heels of ISRO's recent successful launch of the country's first imaging satellite in geo-orbit, which the Congress claims is overshadowed by the government's aggressive privatization agenda. As voices from within ISRO begin to emerge, the future of India's space exploration hangs in the balance.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 6, 2026, 15:55 IST

Congress Raises Concerns Over ISRO's Future

New Delhi: The Congress party has accused the Modi administration of intentionally limiting the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) role under the guise of promoting start-ups. They argue that this shift could lead to the transfer of ISRO's hard-earned capabilities to private firms with uncertain long-term commitments.

Jairam Ramesh, the Congress general secretary responsible for communications, shared a media report indicating that key employee groups within ISRO have reached out to ISRO chairperson V Narayanan. They expressed concerns regarding the agency's privatization efforts and their potential impact on the workforce and ISRO's future.

Ramesh stated on X, "The Modi government is intentionally restricting ISRO's role in the name of fostering start-ups in the space sector. Even more troubling is the prospect of transferring decades of developed capabilities to private entities whose commitment is questionable."

He praised the courage of ISRO employees who are now voicing their concerns, as highlighted in a recent article in the Indian Express.

The recent successful GSLV launch has likely strengthened their resolve, contrasting sharply with the disappointment felt by ISRO's critics both domestically and internationally, Ramesh noted.

He also referenced a former ISRO chairman who has openly shared his worries, presumably referring to G Madhavan Nair, urging others to also express their concerns rather than remain silent as the foundational structure established by Sarabhai and Dhawan is systematically dismantled.

On Friday, the Congress party commended ISRO for successfully launching the nation’s first imaging satellite in geo-orbit, while accusing the Modi government of implementing a "radical role reconfiguration" that could fundamentally alter the character of the Indian space agency.

The opposition party emphasized that this launch would serve as a significant morale booster for ISRO, which has faced criticism from various sectors.

ISRO made headlines once again with the successful deployment of the country’s first imaging satellite in geo-orbit, accurately placing a payload exceeding 2,300 kg into orbit using a GSLV rocket.

This launch marked ISRO's first success of the year 2026.

Last month, the Congress party had criticized the Modi government for "strangling and emasculating" ISRO, accusing it of pursuing an aggressive privatization agenda for the space program.

Founded in 1969, ISRO owes much of its inception to the visionary efforts of Vikram Sarabhai.