The Department of Space (DoS), which recently tightened exit rules to curb a "spate of voluntary retirements and resignations" among scientists working on flagship missions, is now confronting a deeper challenge — a widening manpower shortage across India's space programme, reported TOI.

An analysis of DoS employment data by TOI shows that nearly three out of every 10 sanctioned posts remained vacant at the end of 2025-26, marking the widest staffing gap in at least 25 years. Of the department's sanctioned strength of 20,269 posts, only 14,637 are currently filled, leaving 5,632 vacancies and an overall staffing level of 72.2%.

The current workforce is also smaller than it was over two decades ago. In 2001-02, the DoS had 14,847 employees against a sanctioned strength of 16,423 posts, resulting in a vacancy rate of less than 10%.

Staffing levels continue to fall

The staffing shortfall has worsened steadily in recent years. In 2019-20, the department had 17,222 employees against a sanctioned strength of 20,039, translating to nearly 86% staffing. Since then, the sanctioned strength has remained almost unchanged, while employee numbers have dropped by nearly 2,600.

Staffing levels have declined every year since 2019-20, reaching a low of 71.7% in 2024-25 before improving marginally to 72.2% in 2025-26.

Scientific and technical personnel make up roughly three-fourths of the department's workforce, meaning the vacancies disproportionately affect engineers, scientists and technical specialists responsible for developing satellites, launch vehicles and deep-space missions.

Shortage comes amid expanding mission pipeline

The decline has come at a time when India's space programme is entering one of its most ambitious phases.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for its human spaceflight programme, long-term plans to send astronauts to the Moon and the development of an Indian space station. At the same time, it continues to meet strategic national requirements while the country's private space sector is still in its early stages.

ISRO is also developing the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), a partially reusable rocket, while planning a second Mars mission and India's first mission to Venus.

DoS cites Covid disruptions and recruitment reforms

The staffing issue recently came under scrutiny in Parliament, where lawmakers sought an explanation for the growing vacancies and the steps being taken to address them.

In its response, the Department of Space said: "...The accumulation of vacancies is largely the result of cascading effects since 2020–21 arising from Covid-19 restrictions, the implementation of sectoral reforms, and the adoption of more stringent and foolproof recruitment procedures."

According to the department, recruitment activities could only resume after October 2023, creating a gap in hiring that lasted nearly two to three years.

"Recruitment has already been initiated for 1,449 posts, expected to be completed by Oct 2026, while another 933 posts are slated to be filled by Dec 2026. The remaining vacancies include erstwhile Group D posts and positions that will be filled after implementation of the second cadre review," the DoS said.

Twin challenge for India's space programme

The figures suggest the Department of Space faces two simultaneous challenges: rebuilding a workforce that has steadily shrunk over the past several years while retaining experienced scientists whose expertise is critical for complex, long-term space missions and difficult to replace.