Latest news bulletin | September 6th, 2026 – Morning

Nine employee associations at India's space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), have requested clarification from the agency's Chairperson, V. Narayanan, regarding the planned transfer of manufacturing and operational functions to private companies. In a letter written on Friday, the associations also expressed concerns about ISRO's future role and potential impacts on current employees and future hires.

The letter emphasized that private involvement in select commercial activities can coexist with a robust public ISRO. However, it strongly opposed a policy that would diminish ISRO to a minimal research and development entity while delegating the development and operation of launch vehicles and infrastructure to the private sector or public sector undertakings (PSUs).

The employee associations cited comments made by Pawan Goenka, chairperson of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), as the basis for their concerns. According to Goenka, during a public event on August 21, ISRO would eventually cease to manufacture launch vehicles. Instead, the private sector or PSUs would handle all aspects of vehicle development and launch operations.

The letter noted that Goenka's remarks were made without any accompanying official communication from the Department of Space. This communication should include the approved policy, its legal and administrative foundation, its implementation timeline, and the potential consequences for the existing workforce and future public recruitment.

The letter also stressed the importance of transparency, accountability, and alignment with strategic, safety, and employment considerations when transferring ISRO's technology. It raised additional questions about whether key functions like the design, development, integration, testing, and launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (LVM3), the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), and future vehicles would remain within ISRO's purview or be transferred to private entities.

Furthermore, the employee associations inquired about the implications of the proposed shift on ISRO's sanctioned strength, current vacancies, recruitment schedule, and the recruitment of scientific, technical, administrative, and industrial personnel at all ISRO facilities.