India’s Chandrayaan-3 launch in July 2023 aboard the LVM3 from Sriharikota demonstrated the resilience of the national space program, but the subsequent rise of private space companies has not undermined ISRO. Instead, it has created a complementary ecosystem that enhances India’s overall space capabilities.

The successful launch of Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1, the first private orbital mission from Sriharikota, was not a threat but a milestone that showcased how private participation can accelerate innovation while still relying on ISRO’s infrastructure and expertise.

The government’s encouragement of private firms has not triggered a crisis but rather a natural evolution. Experienced scientists moving to start-ups is not a brain drain but a redistribution of talent across the ecosystem.

These scientists continue to contribute to India’s space ambitions, albeit through different channels. Their expertise is not lost to the nation; it is redirected to ventures that expand India’s reach in satellite launches, space applications, and advanced propulsion technologies. This diversification strengthens India’s position in the global space market.

Reports of resignations at ISRO must be seen in context. Nearly 700 scientists leaving over a decade is significant, but ISRO continues to recruit new talent and train the next generation.

Attrition is a normal feature of dynamic industries, and the presence of private companies ensures that India retains its talent within the national ecosystem rather than losing it to foreign agencies.

The fact that former ISRO leaders like Dr S Somanath are joining private ventures demonstrates continuity of expertise within India, not its erosion.

The Indian Space Policy 2023 and the creation of IN-SPACe have opened the sector to private participation, resulting in over 400 start-ups and nearly USD 500 million in investments. Far from weakening ISRO, this influx of capital and innovation has created opportunities for collaboration. 

Private firms such as Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, Pixxel, Bellatrix Aerospace, Dhruva Space and Digantara are not competitors in the destructive sense but partners who expand India’s capabilities in niche areas. ISRO remains the backbone, providing infrastructure, testing facilities and technical support, while start-ups bring agility and commercial drive.

Concerns about pay structures and promotions at ISRO are valid, but they do not negate the benefits of private participation. Governments worldwide, including the United States, Europe and Japan, have embraced private space firms without weakening their national agencies.

NASA, ESA and JAXA thrive precisely because they balance public missions with private innovation. India is following the same trajectory, ensuring that ISRO focuses on strategic missions like Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan and Aditya-L1, while private firms handle commercial launches and satellite services.

The departure of senior scientists does not mean a collapse of institutional knowledge. ISRO has always been a training ground, and the mentoring of younger scientists continues. Moreover, collaboration between ISRO and private firms ensures that expertise circulates within the ecosystem.

The Department of Space’s decision to regulate resignations of Group A scientists working on critical missions shows that safeguards are in place to protect strategic projects. This balance between freedom and regulation ensures continuity.

Vacancies at ISRO are being addressed through recruitment drives, and the organisation’s sanctioned strength remains robust. The narrative of crisis overlooks the fact that ISRO has consistently delivered missions despite challenges.

The success of Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 proves that institutional capability remains intact. Meanwhile, private firms are expanding India’s footprint in commercial space markets, creating jobs, attracting investment and reducing dependence on foreign launch services.

The reliance of private firms on ISRO’s infrastructure is not a weakness but a strength. It demonstrates that the national agency remains indispensable, while private ventures amplify its achievements.

The synergy between ISRO and start-ups ensures that India’s space ambitions are pursued on multiple fronts simultaneously. Human spaceflight, reusable launch vehicles, lunar infrastructure and deep-space exploration will benefit from this dual-track approach.

The long-term impact of private participation will be positive. By distributing talent, attracting investment and fostering innovation, India is building a resilient ecosystem.

The foundation created by ISRO is not being weakened but expanded upon. Private companies succeed because ISRO exists, and ISRO benefits from the dynamism of private firms. Together, they ensure that India remains a leading space power.

The notion that promoting private space companies undermines national missions is misplaced. In reality, private participation strengthens national missions by diversifying capabilities, retaining talent within India, and accelerating innovation.

A strong commercial industry does not weaken ISRO; it reinforces it, ensuring that India’s space program remains globally competitive and strategically secure.

Agencies