New Delhi: The ISRO resignation rules have been tightened after reports that more than 100 scientists and engineers submitted resignation or voluntary retirement requests in recent months. The Department of Space (DoS) has issued a new memorandum asking major ISRO centres not to routinely approve exit requests from key scientific and technical staff working on national missions such as Gaganyaan.
ISRO Resignation Rules: What Has the Government Decided
The Department of Space has instructed ISRO centres to stop routinely accepting resignation and voluntary retirement requests from Group ‘A’ scientific and technical personnel associated with important national missions.
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According to the memorandum, these requests should not be treated as routine administrative approvals because they could affect projects that are critical to India’s space programme.
Why Were the Rules Tightened
The decision comes after reports that over 100 scientists and engineers have sought to leave ISRO in recent months. Reports suggest that around 80 scientists resigned from the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru, while about 20 scientists left the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram. Officials have not officially confirmed the exact number of resignations.
ISRO Resignation Rules: Which Missions Are Most Affected
The new rules mainly protect scientists working on high-priority national missions, including:
- Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission
- Other strategic ISRO missions
- National space projects considered critical by the Department of Space
The government believes losing experienced scientists during these projects could delay implementation and affect India’s long-term space goals.
What Does the New Memorandum Say
The memorandum states that:
- Resignation and voluntary retirement requests should not be accepted as a matter of routine.
- Centre Directors and Heads of Units must send such requests to the Department of Space along with their recommendations.
- The final decision will now be taken by the Department of Space instead of being routinely approved at the centre level.
How Is This Different From Earlier Rules
The latest order effectively reverses a 2020 administrative policy that allowed ISRO centre directors to approve resignations and voluntary retirement requests for many Group ‘A’ scientific employees. With the new memorandum, the approval process becomes more centralized to help retain experienced scientists working on national missions.
What Did ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan Say on ISRO Resignation Rules
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan acknowledged that scientists have been leaving the organisation. However, he said employee movement is normal in any organisation and added that the new memorandum is meant to ensure important projects do not suffer because of sudden departures. He also said ISRO has plans to manage responsibilities even if some scientists leave.
Official Position on ISRO Workforce
Official data shared by the Government in Parliament earlier this year showed that ISRO has sanctioned strength of more than 18,000 posts, with recruitment already underway to fill many vacancies. The government has stated that recruitment processes are ongoing and many vacant positions are expected to be filled during 2026.
Key Takeaways
- The Department of Space has tightened ISRO resignation rules.
- Exit requests from key scientific personnel will no longer be routinely accepted.
- The move follows reports of more than 100 recent resignation requests.
- Scientists working on Gaganyaan and other strategic missions are the primary focus.
- Final approval for such requests will now be handled by the Department of Space after recommendations from centre directors.
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