Aaj Ki Janta

Chandigarh, April 15, 2025 — NASA has terminated Neela Rajendra, the Indian-origin former head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), in line with a recent executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump that mandates the dissolution of all DEI-related roles in federal agencies.

Rajendra, a longtime advocate for inclusion, had led several initiatives, including NASA’s “Space Workforce 2030” pledge aimed at boosting representation of women and minorities in the space sector. In an attempt to retain her post-executive order, NASA rebranded her title to “Head of the Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success,” though her responsibilities largely remained the same.

Despite this strategic reclassification, Rajendra was officially let go in early April, amid tighter enforcement of the executive directive. An internal email from JPL Director Laurie Leshin confirmed the development, acknowledging Rajendra’s “lasting impact” on the organization.

Rajendra had previously weathered a wave of DEI-related job cuts in 2024, when nearly 900 roles were eliminated. She continued in her modified role even after NASA officially disbanded its DEI office in March 2025—until her recent dismissal.

The move underscores the growing rollback of diversity programs under the current administration, raising concerns about the future of workplace inclusivity in U.S. federal agencies.