ISRO Staff Seek Clarity on Future Role, Jobs and Rocket Production

Nine employee associations at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have sought official clarification from the space agency’s Chairman V Narayanan on the proposed transfer of some manufacturing and operational functions to private entities.

In a letter dated September 4, the associations raised questions about the future role of ISRO, the status of its existing functions and the implications of the proposed changes for serving employees and future recruitment.

The associations referred to remarks made by IN-SPACe Chairman Pawan Goenka on August 21, in which he reportedly said that ISRO would eventually not manufacture launch vehicles and that such production would be undertaken by the private sector or PSUs.

Seeking clarity on the matter, the employee bodies asked whether the design, development, realisation, integration, testing and launch of vehicles such as PSLV, LVM3 and SSLV, as well as successor vehicles, would continue to remain with ISRO.

They also sought details on the policy and its legal and administrative basis, its proposed phasing and its implications for the existing workforce and future recruitment.

The associations raised concerns over sanctioned posts, existing vacancies and recruitment schedules. They specifically sought clarity on the induction of scientific, technical, administrative and industrial personnel across ISRO centres.

The employee bodies said private participation in defined commercial activities could coexist with a publicly owned ISRO, but sought greater clarity before core manufacturing and operational functions are transferred outside the organisation.

They also stressed that ISRO-developed technology is a national asset and said any transfer should be transparent and accountable while taking into account strategic, safety and employment considerations.

The associations have now sought an official clarification from the space agency on the proposed changes and their impact on ISRO’s functions, workforce and future recruitment.