Union Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh has tried to contain concerns about two recent developments involving the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP), saying that both issues have been misunderstood and do not indicate any crisis.
Singh told reporters on Friday that the Department of Space's (DoS) recent directive on voluntary retirement and resignation of ISRO scientists was purely an administrative decision and not as a reaction to the recent reports of experienced professionals quitting the space agency.
"The decision is for administrative reasons so that it can be taken at a much more mature level," Singh said, dismissing speculation that the order was linked to an exodus of scientists. ISRO has a large workforce where employees regularly retire or move on, while new scientists still join, he said.
"Many have gone, many have come," he said, and he stressed that there was "no controversy" around the issue.
The clarification comes days after the Department of Space issued a memo directing major ISRO centres including the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) not to routinely approve resignation or voluntary retirement requests from Group 'A' scientific and technical personnel in the Gaganyaan mission and other key projects.
Such requests will now need to be approved by the Department of Space after recommendations from the respective centre directors, reversing the decentralised process introduced in 2020.
Gaganyaan progressing without interruption
Jitendra Singh also dismissed concerns that the departure of senior scientists could affect India’s ambitious human spaceflight programme.
Referring to former ISRO Chairman Dr S. Somanath who recently joined Chennai-based space startup Agnikul Cosmos as an observer on its board, Singh said ISRO's projects continue seamlessly regardless of leadership changes.
He recalled an observation made by Somanath nearly a decade ago when preparations for Gaganyaan were still in the early stages.
"He had said sending a human into space is easier, but bringing the astronaut back safely is equally challenging. That is how work on the crew module began," Singh said.
The minister said ISRO has a culture of continuity in which retired scientists are still involved in the current missions as advisors and experts.
"Now Somanath is no longer in the picture. It doesn't mean Gaganyaan has stopped. Even retired scientists are still involved in different projects," he added.
India’s space agency is currently working on several high-profile missions, including Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan-4, Mangalyaan-2 and the proposed Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
Kudankulam data breach fears dismissed
Moreover, the Minister also addressed the reports about the alleged cybersecurity breach at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) in Tamil Nadu.
He reiterated that the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) had not been breached of sensitive operational data at the nuclear facility.
Singh questioned the basis of demands for a review as there was no incident involving the strategic installation that was of concern.
He said the matter is being investigated by NPCIL and the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) as standard cybersecurity protocols.
Kudankulam currently operates two Russian-designed 1,000 MW nuclear reactors. Four more reactors are under construction. The project will become India's largest nuclear power park with a total installed capacity of 6,000 MW once all six reactors come into operation.
Singh's remarks aim to reassure both the scientific community and the public that India’s strategic space and nuclear programmes are on track and that administrative decisions and cybersecurity reviews are done in accordance with established institutional processes.
