BENGALURU, July 17: In a major administrative intervention aimed at safeguarding India’s ambitious space programmes, the Department of Space (DoS) has tightened rules governing resignations and voluntary retirement of scientists working on mission-critical projects, following reports that more than 100 personnel have left the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in recent months.
The departures have renewed concerns about the loss of institutional knowledge at a time when ISRO is simultaneously pursuing multiple high-profile missions, including Gaganyaan, future lunar exploration projects, and advanced satellite programmes, officials said on Thursday.
While the DoS has not officially disclosed the number of resignations, sources quoted in media reports estimate that between 100 and 120 scientists and technical experts have left the organisation over the past year.
Responding to concerns, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan acknowledged the resignations but said that employee turnover is a normal feature of large organisations. He emphasised that the new memorandum is intended to retain experienced personnel while ensuring that critical national missions are not disrupted by sudden exits. Historically, attrition has remained a challenge for ISRO. (IANS)
