Lok Sabha Question No. 569 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Recruitment in ISRO
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Vellalath Kochukrishnan Nair. Sreekandan

## 569.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE LOK SABHA

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2021

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 569 RECRUITMENT IN ISRO

- SHRI V.K. SREEKANDAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Indian  Space  Research  Organisation  (ISRO)  has  been directed to put on  hold the recruitment  of scientific  and technical  personnel  until  further  orders  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has initiated space sector reforms and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  it  is  also  true  that  ISRO  Staff  Associations  have strongly denounced the move to privatise the space sector and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  recruitment  ban is the second  stage  of the privatisation process in the ISRO and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether a committee  has been constituted to study the reassessment of manpower and the recruitment will be resumed as per its recommendations and if so, the details thereof;
- (f) whether the said committee has submitted its recommendation; and
- (g) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) No Sir, no ban is imposed by the Government for recruitment of Scientific and Technical Support Staff (S&T) posts in ISRO. With the space sector reforms being implemented, greater emphasis is being laid on R&D  activities, technology demonstration missions,  Science  &  exploration  missions,  missions  of  national importance,  human  space  programme  &  strategic  missions realisation by ISRO. In line with this, to ensure optimal allocation/redeployment of the existing resources to these activities  of  the  Centres/Units,  a  detailed  exercise  is  being carried out. The recruitments will be made once this exercise is completed,  only  to ensure  that right set of  personnel  are recruited suiting to the job requirements.
- (b) Yes Sir.  During  June  2020,  in  order  to  enhance  the  diffusion  of space technology, boost economy in the country and encourage private  players  in  space  activities,  the  Cabinet  has  approved Space Sector Reforms.

In this regard, the following reforms are proposed in the mode of execution of space activities in the country:

-  In order to enhance utilization and maximize benefits from the space  assets,  it  is  proposed  to  change  the  approach  from
- 'Supply Based Model' to 'Demand Based Model'. New Space India Limited (NSIL) will act as the aggregator  of user requirements and obtain commitments.
-  NSIL  to  take  ownership  from  DOS  for  operational  launch vehicles, commercialize launches, satellites and services.
-  Permit NGPEs to carry out space activities through an Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (INSPACe)
-  ISRO to carry out capacity building in Space domain through development of new technologies and capabilities and enable sharing of facilities by NSIL and NGPEs.
-  Announcement of Opportunities for NGPEs offering challenges in new domains of technology.
- (c) Space  reforms  aims  to  create  an  enabling  environment  for private players to carry out space activities as detailed in para (b)  above.  The  concerns  expressed  by  the  employees  of  ISRO regarding the reforms are addressed by the Department through appropriate  briefing  and  its  implication  on  ISRO.  Further,  it  is clarified that the responsibilities of ISRO are intact with focus on R&D  activities,  technology  demonstration  missions,  mission  of national importance, human space programme, Science & exploration missions & strategic missions realisation.
- (d)
- As detailed in para (a),  recruitments to S&T posts are made to ensure  that  the  resourses  are  optimally  deployed  across  the Centres/Units. Further it  is  essential  to  ensure  that  right  set  of people recruited to meet organisation goals. Such exercises are

carried  out  periodically  to  ensure  required  corrections  in  the system suiting to meeting the organisational objectives.

- (e) Yes Sir. A Departmental Committee has been constituted in the backdrop  of  shift  in  mandate  towards  R&D.  The  terms  of references of Committee are:
-  Recommending  methodology  for  rightsizing  and  optimal utilization of the current S&T manpower.
-  Assessment of future manpower requirements in all categories of S&T.
-  Any other recommendations which may be appropriate in view of the renewed mandate of ISRO.

## (f) & (g)

No  Sir.  The  committee's  deliberations  are  in  progress  and recommendations  are  not  yet  arrived.  Detailed  assessment  of requirement for future activities is under progress in coordination with Centres/Units of ISRO.

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