The reason? Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight mission, and other critical projects are losing key people at a dangerous pace. The Department of Space has now taken control over resignation approvals, removing power from ISRO centre directors. Why now? Because private space startups are swooping in with offers ISRO can’t match; better pay, faster growth, global exposure. The government claims it’s about protecting national missions. But former officials warn: you can’t stop talent from leaving with memos alone. Real retention means fixing career stagnation, leadership gaps, and a culture stuck in the 90s. The brain drain isn’t new; 300 left in five years back in 2017; but now it’s hitting at the worst possible time. India’s space dreams may depend less on rockets, and more on whether it can keep its best minds from walking out the door.