ISRO Issues Memo to Retain Scientists Amid Resignation Surge
In response to a significant rise in resignations among its scientists, ISRO has issued a memorandum instructing its centers to reject requests for voluntary retirement from key personnel involved in critical missions like Gaganyaan. This decision comes as over 100 scientists have expressed their intention to leave, raising concerns about the impact on national projects. The memorandum aims to ensure that essential missions are not disrupted while acknowledging the normalcy of staff turnover in organizations. ISRO's leadership is committed to managing the situation effectively, ensuring that responsibilities are covered even if some personnel depart.
Jul 17, 2026, 13:40 IST
ISRO's Response to Scientist Resignations
In light of recent reports indicating that over 100 scientists have submitted their resignations or applications for voluntary retirement, the Department of Space has reportedly issued a memorandum to key Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) centers. This memo instructs them not to accept resignations or voluntary retirement requests from scientists and engineers involved in critical missions like Gaganyaan. Released on Tuesday, this memorandum primarily targets Group 'A' scientific and technical personnel. According to reports, the department has directed ISRO centers to generally reject these requests from employees.
Details of the Memorandum
The memorandum highlights a recent surge in voluntary retirement and resignation requests from Group 'A' scientific and technical staff at ISRO. This includes personnel associated with prestigious missions such as Gaganyaan, which could significantly impact the execution of projects of national importance. Consequently, it has been decided that requests for voluntary retirement and resignations from those involved in Gaganyaan and other vital missions will not be accepted as a standard procedure. Furthermore, any requests from scientists and technical staff, including those at or below the rank of scientist and engineer, must be forwarded to the Department of Space with the director's "clear recommendations" for a final decision. This memo has been circulated to the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
Reasons Behind the Decision
This action comes amid reports that more than 100 scientists and engineers across various centers have expressed their intention to resign in the past month. While the space agency has not disclosed the exact number, reports indicate that over 80 scientists have left the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, and around 20 from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Acknowledging the wave of resignations, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan stated that the space organization was prepared to handle the departures. He mentioned that while many individuals leave, it is a normal part of any organization. The purpose of this memorandum is not only to retain personnel but also to ensure that essential projects are not adversely affected suddenly. However, he added that if someone does leave, others will take on the responsibilities, and they are monitoring the situation closely.