The Government of India’s Department of Space (DoS) has issued an internal memorandum tightening the process for accepting resignations and voluntary retirement requests from scientists and engineers working on critical Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) projects. The move comes amid a rise in exit requests from personnel associated with key national missions, including Gaganyaan.

Issued on July 14, the memorandum directs all ISRO centres not to independently approve resignation or voluntary retirement applications submitted by Group ‘A’ scientific and technical personnel engaged in strategically important programmes. Instead, such requests must be forwarded to the Department of Space, along with detailed recommendations from the respective Centre Director or Head of Unit, for a final decision.

According to officials, the revised procedure was introduced after a significant increase in resignation and voluntary retirement requests from experienced scientists and engineers. Reports indicate that more than 100 personnel have sought to leave the organisation in recent months, raising concerns over the continuity of several high-priority space missions.

The directive modifies the decentralised approval process introduced in 2020, under which directors of individual ISRO centres were authorised to process certain resignation and voluntary retirement requests. Under the revised system, the DoS will make the final decision in cases involving personnel working on critical national programmes.

ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan acknowledged that the organisation has witnessed an increase in exit requests but maintained that ongoing missions remain on track. Officials said the revised policy is intended to retain experienced scientific talent and ensure that strategically important projects are not affected by the departure of key personnel.

The decision comes as ISRO prepares for several major missions, including the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, while advancing a number of satellite launches and scientific initiatives. The revised policy reflects the government’s effort to maintain continuity in India’s space programme by retaining skilled personnel engaged in projects of national importance.

 A bipartisan group of 60 US Senators has backed a bill proposing 100 per cent tariffs on imports from countries that continue to purchase Russian oil, a move that could have significant implications for India, one of Moscow’s largest crude oil buyers since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war.

The legislation, introduced by late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, is intended to increase economic pressure on Russia by discouraging other countries from continuing to buy its energy exports. If enacted, the bill would authorise the US President to impose steep tariffs on goods imported from nations that continue purchasing Russian crude oil and other petroleum products.

India has sharply increased its imports of discounted Russian crude since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in February 2022. The Indian government has consistently maintained that its energy procurement decisions are based on national interest, energy security and the need to ensure affordable fuel supplies for its consumers. Officials have repeatedly stated that India will continue sourcing oil from the most economically viable markets.

The proposed legislation has not yet become law. It needs to pass both chambers of Congressthe US Senate and the House of Representativesbefore it can be presented to the US President for approval. Until then, the proposed tariffs will have no legal effect.

The development comes as the United States and its allies continue efforts to tighten economic pressure on Russia over the Ukraine conflict. If passed, the legislation could have far-reaching implications for trade relations with countries that continue importing Russian oil, including India, and may also influence global energy markets and diplomatic ties.

Neither the US administration nor the Indian government has announced any policy change following the introduction of the bill. The proposal is expected to remain under close scrutiny as it moves through the US legislative process.

The Supreme Court on Thursday orally urged the Centre and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to reconsider the introduction of the compulsory third language policy for Class 9, observing that the move could place an unnecessary academic burden on children.

During a hearing of petitions challenging the policy, the bench of Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice R. Mahadevan remarked that introducing a new language at the Class 9 level may create additional stress for students and suggested that, if such a policy is necessary, it would be more appropriate to begin it from Class 6, when children have more time to adapt. The court, however, did not pass any interim order staying the policy.

The petitions challenge the CBSE’s three-language policy introduced under the New Education Policy 2020. Under the revised framework, students entering Class 9 are required to study three languages, with at least two being Indian languages. The petitioners argued that the sudden implementation has created difficulties for students, schools and teachers, particularly due to the availability of textbooks, qualified language teachers and the increased academic workload.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court sought responses from the Union Government and the CBSE on the concerns raised in the petitions. The Bench emphasised that while learning languages is valuable, educational reforms should be implemented in a manner that does not place avoidable pressure on students.

The matter will be heard again after the Centre and the CBSE file their replies. The outcome of the case is expected to influence the implementation of the three-language policy in CBSE-affiliated schools across the country, particularly for students entering Class 9 in the current academic session.