In response to the recent mass resignation, the Department of Space has issued a new directive under which it has tigthened rules on voluntary retirement and resignations amid a mass exodus in the Indian space agency.
As per the memorandum dated July 14, centres like UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), directed them not to routinely accept resignation or voluntary retirement requests from Group ‘A’ scientific and technical personnel linked to Gaganyaan – India’s prestigious human spaceflight programme – and other “important missions”.
The memorandum as quoted by media agencies, read – “Of late, it is noticed that there has been spate of requests for voluntary retirement and resignation from Group ‘A’ Scientific/Technical personnel of ISRO including those associated with the prestigious Gaganyaan and other important missions/projects severely impacting the implementation of projects of national importance.”
It added in view of the mass exodus it has decided that voluntary retirement and resignation requests from Scientific & Technical personnel associated with the Gaganyaan and other important Mission / Projects may not be accepted as a matter of routine.
The above said centres have been directed to forward such applications to the Department of Space with “clear recommendations” of their directors for final decision.
The order reverses a key administrative change made in 2020 that allowed ISRO centre directors and heads to accept voluntary retirement and resignation requests from Group A scientific and technical personnel up to scientist/engineer-SG level.