Context: 

• This article is based on an Editorial “IITians not joining ISRO, 60% students walked out of a recruitment drive after seeing pay structure: S Somanath” which was published in the Business Today. Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation Chairperson said that most of the best of talents from the country’s prestigious engineering colleges – the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)  are not joining ISRO due to less pay structure.

Very Less Count

• Only a few people who think space is important join the organization. 
• The percentage is hardly less than 1 percent or even lower.

Salary Structure as a Hurdle

• The salary of ISRO Chairperson, who is at the top post at ISRO and also the secretary of the Department of Space, was Rs 2.5 lakh – which is the average placement package in top IITs. 
• The ISRO has different salary structures for different posts but the starting salary for engineers is nearly Rs 56,100.  

Adequate Talent

• Unsung Talent: These are those thousands of students who don’t get the opportunity to write exams for the IITs but they are equally talented.  
• Significance: Indians are rightly obsessed with the IITs, but ISRO has that unsung talent who serve the public sector with dedication & are the backbone of national enterprises.

The Path Ahead

A combined effort of the government, Space Agency and citizens of the nation is required to attract more talent in our Space Organization. 

• Serving the Nation: Prioritizing service to the motherland, IIT graduates should join the space agency, leveraging the heavily subsidized education they have received, to contribute to the nation.
• Attractive Packages: ISRO should work on creating appealing packages for fresh IIT graduates, enticing them with competitive compensation and benefits.
• Policy Support: The Indian government must play a pivotal role by taking appropriate measures and allocating increased funds to the Space Agency, thus facilitating the removal of barriers and enhancing the appeal of a career at ISRO.

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Conclusion:

In bridging the gap between unsung talent and national aspirations, fostering collaboration among the government, citizens, and ISRO while addressing salary structures is crucial for securing a vibrant future in space exploration for India.