The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is dealing with a significant staffing crunch, with 2,613 posts lying vacant across its scientific and administrative wings. The shortfall comes at a demanding moment, as the agency ramps up its domestic launch schedule and interplanetary ambitions.
Where the gaps are
In the science and technology wing, ISRO has 14,108 sanctioned scientific posts, of which about 1,636 are vacant — roughly 11.6% of the technical workforce. The administrative side is stretched further: against a sanctioned strength of 4,034, only 3,057 staff are in position, leaving 977 vacancies, close to a 24% shortfall.
Recruitment under way
Of the total vacancies, recruitment for 1,449 positions is already in progress, with the Department of Space expecting to complete those hires by around October 2026. The pressure is compounded by a rise in resignations and voluntary retirement requests among scientific and technical staff, including some tied to flagship programmes such as Gaganyaan — prompting the government to place curbs on those seeking to leave.
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