Ranchi/New Delhi: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly opposed the privatisation of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and demanded that the process be halted immediately, terming the move a serious threat to India’s strategic interests and technological self-reliance.
In a statement, the CPI(M) said ISRO’s contributions to defence, agriculture, disaster management, weather forecasting and remote sensing were strategically vital to the country’s economy and national security. Handing over such a critical and self-reliant institution to private players, it said, could create undesirable dependence on the private sector in matters of national importance.
The party also expressed concern over the remarks of IN-SPACe Chairman Pawan Goenka that ISRO would no longer manufacture launch vehicles. According to the CPI(M), the statement raises serious questions over plans to hand over space infrastructure developed over seven decades by Indian scientists and technologists to private companies.
The CPI(M) said the move was part of the implementation of the Indian Space Policy 2023, which opened the space sector to private enterprises and provided incentives for foreign investment. The party questioned the justification of such a shift in the name of cost-effectiveness in launch operations.
Referring to the report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology and Environment presented in March 2026, the CPI(M) said the committee had also raised serious concerns over the transfer of public assets to private entities without adequate transparency and accountability.
The party further said that the clarification issued by ISRO in response to concerns raised by the Joint Action Committee of ISRO Staff Associations failed to adequately address the fundamental issue of national security.
The CPI(M) reiterated its support for scientists, technologists and employees who have been demanding the strengthening of ISRO. It said the party would oppose all attempts to privatise the crucial national institution and called for immediate steps to strengthen ISRO’s public and strategic character.
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