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Govt cut ISRO scientists’ salaries when they were working on Chandrayan-2 mission

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6 years ago

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While the nation expresses pride and solidarity with the scientists of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) racing against time to re-establish communication with Vikram lander that crashed on lunar surface, it isn’t so widely known that the government had reduced their salaries even while they were still working on the Chandrayan-2 mission.

The Central government decided to discontinue ‘additional’ increments that had been awarded to them since 1996.

ISRO scientists are reportedly protesting the cut and there is discontent across the ranks of the organisation.

The incentive in question was introduced in 1998, based on a 1996 Supreme Court order. As per the order, for different category of scientists, these incentives ranging from pre-revised pay scales of Rs 10,000 -15,200, Rs 12,000 -16,500, Rs 14,300 -18,300 and Rs 16,400 -20,000 were introduced.

The SC order also said that these increments will be considered part of the scientist’s pay.

Now, the government says that since the salaries of these scientists were revised as per the 6th central pay commission and because of a performance-based incentive system is already (up to 40% of basic salary) in place, this 1996 increment will be discontinued.

As per an Office Memorandum (OM) dated June 12, undersigned by Deputy Secretary to Department of Space M Ramadas, the two additional increments given to scientists/engineers of grade SD, SE, SF and SG are discontinued with effect from July 1, 2019.

The memorandum, reported in a section of online media, says, “consequent to implementation of 6th Central Pay Commission recommendation and introduction of Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) up to 40 per cent of basic pay for scientific and technical personnel in Department of Space (DoS), Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure has advised DoS to discontinue the incentive granted in the form of two additional increments to scientists/engineers – SD, SE, SF and SG grade personnel.”

In 1996, Centre had approved grant of two additional increments for SD to SG grade personnel in Department of Space in the pre-revised pay scale of Rs 10,000-15,200, Rs 12,000-16,500, Rs 14,300 18,300 and Rs 16,400-20,000.

“However, in the light of the advice of the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, it has been decided to discontinue the payment of incentive granted with effect from July 1, 2019,” the memorandum reads.

The employees have reportedly suffered a pay cut of Rs 10,000 per month on an average.

Space Engineers Association (SEA) submitted a representation to ISRO Chairman K Sivan seeking his intervention to persuade Central government to roll back the decision.

Also Read: Every Breath You Take, the DGCA Watches You

In the letter dated July 8, SEA president A Maniraman argued that even though the pay revisal under the 6th pay commission was reason cited by for reversal of this increment, the pay commission itself had recommended to continue these 1996 increments. He also argued that the performance-based incentive introduced recently can’t be compared with 1996 incentives, as the latter was part of the pay as per the Supreme Court.

“The PRIS offered to the engineers and the additional increments are entirely different. One is an incentive and other is pay and hence they cannot supplement each other,” Manimaran said in the letter.

The letter said they are entirely dependent on the salaries they receive and have no other means of earning money to support their families. Warning that the move could demotivate scientists the letter said the staff had been saddened as a result.

Congress MP Motilal Vora had also raised the issue in Parliament on July 30. He informed the Rajya Sabha that the additional increment had been implemented by the Department of Space in 1996 following the Supreme Court’s order, in which the apex court had said the increment should be treated as “payroll” in a manner. Vora appealed to the Rajya Sabha to get the government to stop deducting the salaries of ISRO scientists.

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Silver breaches Rs 4 lakh per kg on MCX, gold hits record Rs 1.8 lakh

Silver prices hit an all-time high above Rs 4 lakh per kilogram on MCX, while gold surged to a record Rs 1.8 lakh per 10 grams, supported by strong global markets.

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8 hours ago

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January 29, 2026

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Silver prices

Silver prices surged to a historic high in futures trade on Thursday, crossing the Rs 4 lakh per kilogram mark on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), while gold also touched a lifetime high, driven by strong investor demand and firm trends in global markets.

On the MCX, silver futures for March delivery jumped Rs 22,090, or 5.73 per cent, to hit an all-time high of Rs 4,07,456 per kilogram during the session.

Gold futures also saw heavy buying interest. The yellow metal for February delivery surged Rs 14,586, or 8.8 per cent, to touch a new peak of Rs 1,80,501 per 10 grams on the domestic exchange.

Global markets support bullion rally

In the international market, gold futures on the Comex crossed the USD 5,600 per ounce level for the first time. The April delivery contract rose USD 286.6, or 5.4 per cent, to scale a fresh record high of USD 5,626.8 per ounce.

Silver futures on the Comex also advanced sharply, touching a new lifetime high of USD 119.51 per ounce in overseas trade.

Demand, weak dollar and safe-haven buying lift prices

Analysts attributed the sharp rise in silver prices to strong industrial demand and a weaker US dollar, noting that silver has been outperforming gold in recent trading sessions.

They also said continued safe-haven buying amid economic uncertainties and rising geopolitical tensions has supported the sustained rally in precious metal prices globally.

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Budget Session 2026 live updates: PM Modi to address media, Nirmala Sitharaman to table Economic Survey today

PM Modi is expected to address the media on Day 2 of the Budget Session 2026, while Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Economic Survey 2025–26 in the Lok Sabha.

Published

9 hours ago

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January 29, 2026

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PM Modi

The second day of the Budget Session of Parliament is set to see key developments, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to address the media at Parliament House on Wednesday morning.

The Prime Minister is expected to speak around 10:15 am, ahead of the presentation of the Economic Survey of India 2025–26 in the Lok Sabha later in the day.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to table the Economic Survey at 12 pm in the Lower House. The document provides an overview of the state of the Indian economy, key macroeconomic indicators for the 2025–26 financial year, and an outlook for the coming fiscal.

Prepared by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs under the Ministry of Finance, the Economic Survey is formulated under the supervision of the Chief Economic Adviser. It serves as an important reference document ahead of the Union Budget, offering insights into growth trends, sectoral performance, and broader economic challenges and opportunities.

Before the tabling of the Economic Survey, the Lok Sabha will take up Question Hour from 11 am to 12 pm.

The Budget Session, which began on Tuesday, is expected to witness discussions on economic priorities, fiscal strategy, and policy direction in the days leading up to the presentation of the Union Budget 2026.

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Ajit Pawar plane crash updates: Last rites today in Baramati with state honours

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will be cremated today in Baramati with full state honours following his death in a plane crash.

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9 hours ago

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January 29, 2026

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Ajit Pawar plane crash

Maharashtra will bid its final farewell to Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar on Thursday, with his last rites scheduled to be held at 11 am in Baramati. The state government has announced full state honours for the senior leader, who died in a plane crash on Wednesday morning.

Ajit Pawar, widely known as ‘Dada’, was travelling to Baramati when the aircraft crashed during a landing attempt. The incident took place in poor visibility conditions, according to preliminary information shared by authorities.

The aircraft was carrying five people, including Ajit Pawar, his personal security officer Vidip Jadhav, flight attendant Pinky Mali, Pilot-in-Command Sumit Kapur and Second-in-Command Shambhavi Pathak. All five lost their lives in the crash.

Senior political leaders have begun arriving in Baramati to attend the funeral. NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar reached the Vidya Pratishthan grounds ahead of the last rites, while Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray also arrived in the town to pay his respects. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are expected to attend the funeral.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said a transparent investigation would be conducted into the crash. He stated that preliminary inputs suggest visibility was poor at the time of landing, which took place around 8:48 am.

The tragedy has left a deep void in Maharashtra’s political landscape. Ajit Pawar, 66, was among the state’s most experienced leaders and had served multiple terms as Finance Minister, known for his fast-paced administrative style and firm grip over state finances.

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