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Updated – September 06, 2026 12:38 pm IST – New Delhi
Nine employee associations at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have written to the space agency’s Chairperson, V. Narayanan, seeking official clarification on the proposed transfer of its manufacturing and operational functions to private entities. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Nine employee associations at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have written to the space agency's Chairperson, V. Narayanan, seeking official clarification on the proposed transfer of its manufacturing and operational functions to private entities.
In a letter dated Friday (September 4, 2026), the associations also raised questions about the agency's future role and the consequences for serving employees and future recruitment.
"Private participation in defined commercial activities can coexist with a strong, publicly owned ISRO. What cannot be accepted without debate is a policy that reduces ISRO to a residual R&D [research and development] boutique while the realisation of the nation's launch vehicles and the operation of its launch infrastructure pass out of public hands," the letter said.