ISRO blocks exit route for scientists on key projects until mission completion

Prelims-testable facts

• 01The Department of Space has issued a memorandum to ISRO directing that resignations or voluntary retirement requests from scientists working on critical projects shall not be processed routinely.
• 02Over 100 top scientists have quit ISRO, sparking concern for the future of India's most ambitious space projects.
• 03The Gaganyaan mission is one of the key missions affected by the exodus of scientists and engineers from ISRO.
• 04The Department of Space has ordered ISRO directors not to accept resignations from scientists involved in critical missions until they are completed.
• 05ISRO scientists working on Group 'A' associated with the Gaganyaan or other important missions or projects will not be allowed to take voluntary retirement or resignation till their realisation.
• 06The government is actively encouraging private participation in space through satellite constellation projects and technology transfers, leading to a surge in experienced ISRO scientists leaving for private aerospace jobs.

Trap alerts

• Most people think the ISRO memo is a new policy, but actually it's a response to an existing crisis of over 100 scientists quitting key missions.
• Most people think the government is trying to retain only ISRO employees, but actually the memo applies to all Group 'A' associated with critical projects.