IAS/UPSC Coaching Institute  

13 Jan 2026 : Troubling repeat

 Editorial 1: ​​Troubling repeat

Context

ISRO must initiate a comprehensive overhaul of its quality assurance protocols.

 

Introduction

The PSLV-C62 failure, closely following PSLV-C61, has raised serious concerns about quality assurance, transparency, and institutional priorities at ISRO. As a mature and trusted launch vehicle, repeated third-stage anomalies threaten not only technical credibility but also commercial confidence, especially as India seeks a stronger role in the global space launch market.

 

Launch failure and familiar warning signs

  • On January 12, during the launch of PSLV-C62 from Sriharikota, the live broadcast abruptly stopped once the third stage ignited.
  • It soon became clear that the third stage malfunctioned, leading to mission failure, in a manner strikingly similar to PSLV-C61 in May 2025.
  • The sudden change in telecast echoed a now disturbingly familiar pattern seen during earlier failures.

 

A mature rocket and systemic quality concerns

  • For decades, the PSLV has been the backbone of India’s space programme under Indian Space Research Organisation.
  • Given the technological maturity of the vehicle, repeated failures point less to design flaws and more towards quality assurance lapses.
  • The recurrence suggests these are not isolated anomalies, but potentially systemic issues.

 

Opacity after PSLV-C61 and unresolved questions

  • The C61 mission failed after its third stage lost chamber pressure.
  • Instead of publicly disclosing the root cause, the Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) report was submitted only to the Prime Minister’s Office.
  • ISRO merely cited “structural reinforcements” before clearing PSLV for another flight.
  • In C62, the reported “roll rate disturbance” closely mirrors the sequence of events before the C61 failure.

 

Commercial fallout and reputational risk

  • Through NewSpace India Limited, ISRO has been marketing the PSLV as a commercial launch vehicle in a competitive global market.
  • Consecutive failures will push international insurers to reassess risk, likely causing insurance premiums to rise sharply.
  • This could make PSLV launches less affordable, damaging India’s ambition to be a net provider of space services.

 

Leadership style and institutional priorities

  • Under ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan, the organisation has moved away from its tradition of scientific opennesstoward a more bureaucratic and guarded approach.
  • Proceeding with the C62 launch while the C61 failure analysis remained classified raises serious questions about institutional decision-making.
  • The presence of the EOS-N1 satellite, built by DRDO for unspecified strategic purposes, may partly explain the urgency to launch.

 

A possible path to restoring confidence

  • During Mr. Narayanan’s tenure, ISRO has also shown improved reliability of the LVM-3, most recently with the M6 mission in December 2025.
  • However, rebuilding trust now requires transparency and accountability.
  • The most credible step forward is for the Department of Space to release the FAC report on PSLV-C61.
  • Taxpayers and commercial stakeholders deserve clarity on what failed in 2025, whether the issue recurred in 2026, and why the third stage was compromised again.

 

Conclusion

To restore trust, ISRO must prioritise accountability, openness, and rigorous quality control. Releasing the C61 Failure Analysis Committee report is essential to clarify what went wrong and why similar issues reappeared. Without transparent corrective action, India risks damaging its strategic ambitions, commercial standing, and the confidence of taxpayers and international partners alike.