In a major policy shift that signals India’s expanding ambitions in human space exploration, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to open its astronaut cadre to civilians for the first time under the Gaganyaan programme. As part of the upcoming second batch of astronaut selection, ISRO will induct four civilian specialists out of a total of 10 astronauts, marking a significant departure from its earlier model of selecting only military test pilots for space missions.
The decision reflects ISRO’s transition from its initial phase of demonstrating human spaceflight capability to building a long-term, sustainable astronaut programme aimed at supporting regular missions, scientific research in orbit, and future space station operations. Until now, the astronaut pool has been exclusively drawn from the Indian Air Force test pilots, who were chosen for their high-performance flying experience and ability to handle extreme mission conditions.
Under the revised plan, the second astronaut batch will consist of six mission pilots from the armed forces and four civilians from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) backgrounds, according to the mission framework being developed by ISRO’s selection committee. This mix is intended to bring together operational flight expertise and scientific specialization, strengthening India’s human spaceflight capabilities for future missions.
However, ISRO has clarified that the inclusion of civilians does not mean immediate spaceflight opportunities. The civilian astronauts are expected to participate in actual missions only from the fourth Gaganyaan flight onward, once the program achieves greater maturity in terms of safety validation, mission experience, and operational reliability. This phased approach aligns with global space agency practices, where early human space missions are typically flown by military-trained astronauts before expanding to civilian participation.
The move is also linked to ISRO’s broader vision of increasing mission frequency and operational depth. The agency is planning for two crewed missions per year, with astronauts cycling through training and flight assignments over a structured timeline. A full astronaut preparation cycle—from selection to mission readiness—is estimated to take around 4.5 years, highlighting the long-term nature of India’s human space programme.
In addition to expanding the astronaut pool, ISRO is also planning upgrades to mission capabilities. From the seventh Gaganyaan mission onwards, spacecraft are expected to carry three astronauts instead of two, enabled by improvements in crew module design and life-support systems. This expansion is closely tied to India’s future plans for the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (Indian Space Station), which will require a larger and more diverse astronaut workforce to support continuous operations in low Earth orbit.
To support these ambitions, ISRO has proposed creating a 40-member astronaut cadre, ensuring adequate manpower for ongoing missions, international collaborations, and unforeseen operational requirements. Officials believe that a larger pool will provide flexibility and resilience as India scales up its human spaceflight programme over the next decade.
Despite these ambitious plans, challenges remain. ISRO is still working on establishing a permanent astronaut training facility, as current infrastructure is temporary and limited in scale. In addition, critical technologies such as the Environment Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) are still under development, which are essential for sustaining human life during extended space missions.
Even with these gaps, the inclusion of civilians marks a transformative moment for India’s space programme. It opens the door for scientists, engineers, and researchers to directly participate in space missions, expanding opportunities beyond the armed forces and reflecting a more inclusive approach to space exploration. As ISRO moves forward, this development is expected to play a key role in shaping India’s future as a sustained human spacefaring nation.
