The Department of Space has now stepped in, putting brakes on resignation approvals for key personnel. What’s really happening? Behind the scenes, it’s not just about talent leaving; it’s about protecting national missions from sudden disruption. ISRO’s chairman admits attrition is normal, but this wave hit critical centres like URSC and VSSC, where project directors and mission leads are walking out. The new directive? No more automatic approvals; every resignation now needs clearance from the top. While ISRO still has 14,600+ employees, losing even 120 top scientists from flagship projects is a major concern. And this isn’t new; in 2004-07, nearly half of new hires left. The space sector’s growth might be attracting talent, but the cost to national projects is real. ISRO is responding; hiring 1,050 new staff and upgrading 460 positions. But can bureaucracy hold back the tide of ambition? The battle for India’s space future is quietly playing out in resignation letters.