ISRO Grounds PSLV After Consecutive Launch Failures Affecting Strategic and Commercial Satellites

Between January 2025 and January 2026, ISRO experienced three significant mission failures, including two consecutive Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) setbacks involving third-stage anomalies. The latest PSLV-C62 failure resulted in the loss of 16 satellites, affecting both Indian and foreign start-ups. ISRO has grounded the PSLV fleet pending thorough investigations, with internal and potential external audits underway. These setbacks have raised concerns about reliability, impacting strategic, commercial, and international confidence, while stakeholders emphasize the need for corrective measures to restore trust.