ISRO Employees Demand Clarity on Privatization Plans: What’s at Stake?

Nine employee associations at ISRO have expressed their concerns regarding the agency's plans to transfer manufacturing and operational functions to private entities. In a letter to Chairperson V Narayanan, they seek clarity on the implications for current employees and future recruitment. The associations emphasize the need for transparency in the transfer of ISRO's technology, which they consider a national asset. They also question whether ISRO will continue its core functions related to launch vehicles. This situation raises significant questions about the future of India's space research and the role of public versus private sectors in this critical field.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 6, 2026, 13:02 IST

Concerns Raised by ISRO Employee Associations

New Delhi: A coalition of nine employee associations from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has reached out to Chairperson V Narayanan, requesting clarification regarding the agency's plans to transfer its manufacturing and operational roles to private companies.

In their letter dated September 4, the associations expressed concerns about ISRO's future responsibilities and the potential impact on current employees and future hiring.

"While private involvement in specific commercial activities can coexist with a robust, publicly owned ISRO, we cannot accept a policy that relegates ISRO to merely a research and development entity, while the actual production and operation of launch vehicles are handed over to private entities," the letter stated.

The letter referenced comments made by Pawan Goenka, chairperson of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), who indicated that ISRO would eventually cease to manufacture launch vehicles, leaving that task to the private sector or public sector undertakings.

The employee groups noted that Goenka's statements have not been followed by any formal communication from the Department of Space, detailing the approved policy, its legal framework, implementation timeline, or its effects on the current workforce and future recruitment.

"The technology developed by ISRO is a national treasure. Its transfer should be conducted transparently and responsibly, considering strategic, safety, and employment factors, rather than being communicated through media reports," the letter emphasized.

Additionally, the associations raised questions about whether ISRO will continue to handle the design, development, integration, testing, and launching of PSLV, LVM3, SSLV, and future vehicles.

They also inquired about how the proposed changes would affect the sanctioned workforce, existing job vacancies, recruitment schedules, and the onboarding of scientific, technical, administrative, and industrial personnel across all ISRO centers.