ISRO Employees’ Associations Seek Meeting With Chairperson V. Narayanan Over Privatisation Concerns

A Joint Action Council (JAC) representing nine employees’ associations of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has asked Chairperson Dr V. Narayanan for a meeting to discuss privatisation and transfer of technology, The Hindu reported on 9 October 2026.

Quick Facts

Letter dated	7 October 2026
Sent by	Joint Action Council of nine ISRO employees’ associations
Sent to	ISRO Chairperson Dr V. Narayanan
Earlier letter	4 September
Request	An early, structured meeting

What the Associations Want to Discuss

The letter seeks a discussion of ISRO’s future role, emerging threats of privatisation, transfer of technology, and the operation of launch vehicles and facilities. It also raises:

• Stagnation in promotions after the cadre review
• Recruitment and attrition
• Concentration of functional positions
• Vigilance clearance for the Performance Related Incentive Scheme
• Restoration of the Joint Consultative Machinery

‘Substantially Unanswered’

The JAC acknowledged the replies the chairperson gave employees in a video conference after its first letter, but said fundamental doubts were not cleared up. “The core questions regarding the future mandated role of ISRO, the policy on privatisation and transfer of manufacturing and operational functions, technology transfer, staffing and recruitment, and employee safeguards remain substantially unanswered,” it wrote.

The Trigger

The JAC again pointed to a statement by IN-SPACe Chairperson Pawan Kumar Goenka that ISRO will eventually stop making launch vehicles. It said such statements have not been matched by any official communication from the Department of Space on the approved policy, its legal basis, its phasing or its effect on staff and future recruitment.

What ISRO Has Said

The Hindu linked to a video report in which ISRO’s chief, V. Narayanan, says the agency is not being privatised. The associations say the replies so far have not answered their detailed questions.

Featured image: An ISRO PSLV-C52 launch from Sriharikota, February 2022 (file photo). Photo by Indian Space Research Organisation, licensed under Government Open Data License – India, via Wikimedia Commons.