Vikram-1’s success shows how talent mobility from ISRO can fuel India’s private space economy, but retaining scientists and strengthening the public agency remain vital na priorities. — Dr. Ashwani Mahajan

Just a few days ago, a news emerged—initially viewed in a highly negative light—that over 100 scientists from India’s prestigious public sector institution, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), have either resigned or taken premature retirement. It appeared as though, India’s space program might suffer a major setback as a result. However, in a matter of few days, the successful launch of a rocket into space by a private company—without encountering any failure—clarifies the situation: while these scientists may be leaving ISRO, they are not severing ties with India’s space program, as only a minuscule is going overseas for further education or employment. Instead, they are maintaining their connection with India’s space program, in a different or in a more meaningful way, scripting a new chapter of success in space, through the vibrant private sector.

On July 18, 2026, Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian private space company, made history by successfully launching multiple pay loads including satellites and technology demonstration units into the low earth orbit along with, the India’s first private sector rocket 'Vikram-1'. India has now become the fourth nation—following the USA, China, and Japan—to see a private company successfully launching a rocket into the space. A remarkable aspect of the Vikram-1 mission is that, unlike private companies of other nations, that faced one or more failures before achieving a successful launch, Skyroot accomplished this feat in its very first attempt.

The manner in which ISRO achieved new milestones of success, rising from humble beginnings, has established the excellence of Indian talent in this field on the global stage. Following ISRO’s numerous achievements—including missions like PSLVs, Mangalyaan, Chandrayaan and futuristic Gaganyaan program, preparing India for its first indigenous human space mission, NAVIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) and building of the world; largest fleets of remote sensing satellites for agriculture, disaster management water resources, urban planning, weather forecasting and fisheries, the Government of India made a deliberate decision to encourage private sector participation in the space sector. In the early days, when India lacked space capabilities and developed nations were far ahead, advancement in the space sector without government support was in fact impossible, as no other country was willing to share its technology. With government’s support and the ingenuity and hard work of our scientists, ISRO has brought glory to the nation through various achievements. However, it is now being realized that the commercialization of the space sector holds immense potential. While ISRO has previously done significant work in areas such as telecommunications, meteorology, and various forms of space research, numerous private companies globally—including SpaceX, Axiom Space, Sierra Space, Astros call, D-orbit etc., have expanded their businesses and undertaken a wide range of activities. Moreover, these companies are commanding high market valuations; the valuation of Elon Musk’s American company, SpaceX alone, today is USD 1.6 trillion, which is approximately 38 percent of India’s GDP. 

In this context, India must also prepare itself to compete with these major space companies. India’s startup ecosystem has grown rapidly over the last one decade, and new startups have emerged in the space sector as well. A major advantage for these startups is the availability of a large pool of domestic scientists who have already achieved significant milestones in the field of space exploration. Consequently, scientists working in the public sector now have new options: they can either launch their own startups or collaborate with existing ones to help advance new frontiers in the space sector.

The Need to Learn from History

During the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, the country's aspiring youth began migrating abroad due to lack of opportunities at home. This was a period when the government, influenced by socialist ideology virtually obstructed or even strangulated the growth of the private sector. Policymakers believed that the private sector lacked the capability to foster entrepreneurship or adopt new technologies; they were perceived as lacking the necessary resources, capacity, and risk-taking appetite. Consequently, the government shouldered the responsibility of driving industrial development itself, engaging in the production of everything from bread to machinery, electronics, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.

Faced with these circumstances and a lack of local resources and opportunities, the country's ambitious youth turned towards foreign lands. Large numbers of Indians began migrating not only to the US and various European nations but also to the Gulf countries and Southeast Asia, playing pivotal roles in their development. In Europe and the US, Indians did not merely secure employment; they also played a significant role in fostering entrepreneurship. Indian scientists continue to play crucial roles at NASA, the US space agency. Furthermore, Indian software engineers, doctors, and educators have earned global acclaim, effectively serving as brand ambassadors for India. Regrettably, however, the full potential of Indian talent was not harnessed within the country itself.

Today, Indian scientists—who once hoisted the flag of the nation's success through the public sector entity ISRO—are setting new benchmarks by establishing private sector companies or collaborating with startups to spearhead innovative activities in the space sector. The expansion of space-based internet over just a few years suggests that the day is not far off when traveling to distant countries via space will become a reality. The space sector is poised to make significant contributions not only to telecommunications and navigation but also to defense. Given this, ceding all these development opportunities to foreign private sector companies would not be prudent. Former ISRO scientists can play a pivotal role in mentoring new budding scientists and transforming the nation into a space superpower. As the benefits of space scientists' knowledge and experience become more apparent, an increasing number of scientists in the country will be drawn to this field.

This mindset needs to be adopted not just in the space sector, but across all sectors. India possesses the potential to emerge as a global powerhouse in defense manufacturing. Today, immense new possibilities are unfolding in AI and digital public infrastructure. There is also vast potential in the processing and production of rare-earth materials. Various sectors—including electronics, telecommunications, quantum computing, and e-commerce—are opening up new opportunities for the youth. In this context, the movement of talent between the public and private sectors could script a new narrative of national development.

The Need for Healthy Growth of Public Sector

While the migration of scientists from the public sector entity ISRO to the private sector can be considered a natural process, we must also recognize that scientists working on crucial national missions like ‘Gaganyaan’ are moving to the private sector—a trend that serves also as a warning for ISRO. Experts believe that scientists' autonomy is being hampered by unnecessary bureaucratic interference; therefore, there is a need to grant greater authority to ISRO and the Space Commission, alongside providing appropriate compensation to incentivize talent. Such support and fair remuneration will foster healthy competition between the private and public sectors, thereby giving a boost to India's space program.