ISRO issues memo to curb exodus of staff from key missions

17 JULY 2026

With about 100 Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) personnel quitting the space agency in various centres across the country, the Department of Space (DoS) has issued a memorandum to curb the exodus of scientists and engineers who are working in critical missions of national importance, like the Gaganyaan.
In a memorandum issued on July 14, signed by S.R. Rajashekar, Joint Secretary (Personnel), Department of Space, it stated, “Of late, it is noticed that there has been spate of requests for voluntary retirement and resignation from Group ‘A’ Scientific/Technical personnel of the ISRO including those associated with the prestigious Gaganyaan and other important missions/projects severely impacting the implementation of projects of national importance.”
The memorandum addressed to Directors of the ISRO Centers and Heads of Units has asked them to address this issue and not to accept any requests for voluntary retirement or resignation from scientific and technical personnel of Group ‘A’ associated with the Gaganyaan or other important missions or projects till their realisation.
During the last Budget session of the Parliament, Mr. Singh on February 11, 2026, in a reply to a question on the details of the sanctioned, in-position and vacant positions in the ISRO, said that the overall sanctioned strength (Science and Technology and Administration) was 18,142. Of this there was a vacancy of 2,613 personnel.