In a significant move to safeguard national space missions, the Department of Space has implemented stricter regulations regarding resignations and Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) applications for ISRO scientists and engineers. This decision follows a concerning trend that has seen over 100 technical staff members and scientists resign or opt for early retirement over the past 10 months. Specifically, centers like the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) have been heavily impacted, with the former alone seeing approximately 80 departures.
The new directive mandates that requests for resignation or VRS from Group ‘A’ scientists and technical personnel involved in critical projects, particularly the ambitious ‘Gaganyaan’ mission, will no longer be processed through standard channels. Instead, each application must be forwarded to the Department of Space with explicit recommendations from the respective Center Directors. The final authority to approve or reject these requests now rests solely with the Department of Space.
The government has cited the adverse impact of this staff attrition on the implementation of projects of national importance as the primary reason for these stringent measures. By centralizing the decision-making process, the Department of Space aims to ensure that the continuity of India’s high-priority space programs remains uninterrupted as the nation advances toward its human spaceflight goals.
