ISRO Will Not Be Privatised, Role Will Remain Unchanged

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has firmly stated that it will not be privatised and its role will not be diminished. This assurance came after staff sought clarity on the agency’s future amid rumours of privatisation, with officials addressing concerns about ISRO’s continuing role in space research and technology.

ISRO remains India’s principal institution for advanced space research, technology development, national and strategic missions, space science and exploration, and critical space capabilities, the agency said. It emphasised that its launch vehicles and launch infrastructure operations will not pass out of public hands. The space agency and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (INSPACe) chief addressed the staff’s concerns, assuring them that ISRO’s importance will not be diminished.

Employee bodies, however, noted that no formal communication had been issued by the Department of Space to explain the policy being considered, its legal and administrative framework, implementation timeline, or potential impact on current staff and future hiring.