NEW DELHI, Aug 24: The Congress on Monday accused the Narendra Modi government of weakening the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) by pursuing what it described as an aggressive privatisation drive in the country’s space programme.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said recent reports about changes being considered for ISRO’s future role had raised serious concerns about the organisation’s position after six decades of developing India’s space capabilities.
Ramesh said ISRO’s institutional strength had been built through the contributions of pioneering scientists and former chairpersons, including Vikram Sarabhai, Satish Dhawan, Brahm Prakash, UR Rao and APJ Abdul Kalam.
He alleged that the government’s approach could significantly reduce ISRO’s involvement in rocket development and manufacturing while transferring several satellite-related assets to private companies.
Congress questions wider role of private sector
Ramesh claimed that the push for greater private participation was being driven from the Prime Minister’s Office and compared it with what he described as similar moves in the nuclear energy sector.
He also raised concerns about the second spaceport being developed in Tamil Nadu at an estimated investment of around Rs 1,000 crore.
According to Ramesh, there were apprehensions that the facility could eventually be handed over to a private company. He further questioned what the future would hold for the established spaceport at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh amid the proposed changes.
The Congress leader acknowledged that space startups should receive encouragement and support, but argued that expanding private participation should not come at the expense of ISRO’s capabilities.
Congress flags reported staff departures
Ramesh said ISRO had made the country proud through its achievements and noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also publicly praised the organisation’s contributions.
He claimed that around 100 to 120 key ISRO professionals had left the organisation in recent months, suggesting that the reported departures could be linked to concerns over its future direction.
Ramesh did not provide details supporting the claimed connection between the departures and the proposed changes.
He also referred to a former ISRO chairman who joined the BJP in 2018 and who, according to Ramesh, had raised concerns about the latest privatisation approach.
Debate over India’s space strategy
The Congress has called for greater clarity on how responsibilities will be divided between ISRO and private companies as India’s space sector expands.
The party said private enterprises can play an important role in developing the country’s commercial space industry, while maintaining that ISRO’s scientific expertise and institutional capacity should continue to receive strong government backing.
Ramesh also questioned why other former ISRO chairpersons had not publicly commented on the reported changes and shared a video of his 2023 Rajya Sabha speech on India’s space programme.
ISRO, established in 1969 with Vikram Sarabhai playing a central role in its creation, remains the country’s primary space research and exploration agency. The latest political criticism has brought renewed attention to the balance between public sector leadership and private participation in India’s rapidly expanding space economy.