ISRO Employee Bodies Question Privatisation Drive, Seek Clarity From Chairperson

New Delhi: Employee associations at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have written to chairperson V Narayanan, raising concerns over the direction of the agency's privatisation push and what it could mean for the existing workforce and ISRO's future role, The Indian Express reported.

According to the newspaper, the letter was sent on Friday, just hours after ISRO successfully launched an earth observation satellite aboard a GSLV rocket, ending a months-long gap in launches. Even as the agency continues to deliver on its core missions, the letter points to growing unease within ISRO over what its role will look like as private companies take on a larger share of the country's space activities.

The controversy centres on comments made on August 21 by Pawan Goenka, chairperson of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) — the nodal body under the Department of Space set up in 2020 to open India's space sector to private participation. Speaking at a Business Today event, Goenka, who also chairs the IIT Madras Board of Governors, was quoted by The Indian Express as saying that ISRO would eventually stop manufacturing launch vehicles altogether, with that work shifting to the private sector or public sector undertakings, and that it would no longer handle routine, day-to-day satellite work — limiting itself instead to satellites meant for special scientific purposes or for developing new technology that would later be transferred to private players.

The employee associations note that no formal communication followed from the Department of Space explaining the policy, its legal basis, its timeline, or its bearing on current staff and future hiring.

The letter, signed by representatives from several ISRO centres including the Space Applications Centre and the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, asks the chairperson to issue a written clarification on whether Goenka's statements reflect an "approved decision" of the Government of India, the Space Commission, or the Department of Space.

In a letter to the chairperson, the employee representatives have asked whether Goenka’s comments represent an officially approved position of the Government of India, the Space Commission or the Department of Space. They have sought a written response to clarify whether any such decision has already been taken.

The letter raises concerns about the future responsibilities of ISRO as a public-sector space institution. It also seeks clarity on whether public sector undertakings could be excluded from manufacturing activities as the government expands the role of private companies in the space sector.

Employee representatives have additionally questioned what protections will be available to existing ISRO personnel if the organisation’s responsibilities or structure undergo significant changes. They have sought details on how technologies developed using public funds are being transferred to private companies and what mechanisms are in place to protect public interest.

Another key concern is the decision-making process. The representatives have asked whether employee associations will be consulted before any permanent decision affecting ISRO’s organisational structure, mandate or workforce is implemented.

The employee associations have described the activities mentioned by Goenka as part of ISRO’s “core competence” and cautioned that withdrawing from these areas could have serious implications for the organisation’s long-term sustainability.

The letter highlights the uncertainty facing employees who built their careers around ISRO’s established role as a stable public institution. It argues that any move away from these core responsibilities could also affect the organisation’s ability to attract and retain talent.

The associations pointed to ISRO’s already-restricted recruitment, which they said has been affected by vacancies and employee attrition. They warned that further reductions in hiring could make the organisation less attractive to young professionals who have traditionally viewed ISRO as a prestigious and dependable public-sector career option.

According to the associations, weakening ISRO’s public-sector role could therefore have consequences beyond its existing workforce, potentially affecting the institution’s ability to bring in the next generation of scientists and engineers.

The dispute is likely to fuel a broader debate over ISRO's future direction.