{"id":80644,"date":"2026-08-03T18:24:57","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T12:54:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=80644"},"modified":"2026-08-03T18:26:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T12:56:37","slug":"india-struggling-to-retain-scientists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/03-08-2026\/india-struggling-to-retain-scientists","title":{"rendered":"India Struggling to Retain Scientists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recent reports of nearly 120 scientists resigning from the<strong> Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have raised concerns.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Resignations have occurred <strong>over the years<\/strong> but the <strong>scale of recent departures<\/strong><strong>raises the question<\/strong> of why some of India\u2019s brighter scientific minds are leaving the organisation.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Similar cases <\/strong>have been seen from laboratories under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and several government-funded research organisations.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Brain Drain<\/strong> refers to the emigration of highly skilled and educated individuals from one country to another, usually in search of better opportunities.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>In India<\/strong> engineers, doctors, scientists, IT professionals, and academics move to developed countries like the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Between 2015 and 2022,<\/strong> 1.3 million Indians left the country, many of whom were highly educated professionals.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Top Destinations: <\/strong>The United States, Canada, and Europe remain top destinations for these skilled workers.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Possible Reasons<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Rigid Hierarchy: <\/strong>Many of India\u2019s laboratories continue to operate within rigid hierarchies that would appear strange in leading scientific institutions elsewhere in the world.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bureaucratic Culture: <\/strong>Many Indian scientific gatherings continue to have a <strong>bureaucratic rather than academic culture<\/strong>. Distinguished speakers receive VIP badges, and special hospitality while students and junior participants are treated as an entirely different class.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Switch to Private Sectors: <\/strong>Researchers are moving to private research organisations, emerging deep-tech companies, universities abroad, and\/or international collaborations where scientific autonomy has more room than administrative strictures.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Low Spending on R&amp;D: <\/strong>India\u2019s Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) as a percentage of GDP remained between <strong>0.6% to 0.7% <\/strong>which is <strong>below the global average<\/strong> and lower than countries <strong>like China, South Korea and the US.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There is a <strong>relatively low investment by India\u2019s private sector<\/strong>, accounting for <strong>only around 36%,<\/strong> whereas in the aforementioned countries, <strong>private sector contributions are more than 70%<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economic Factors: <\/strong>Lower salaries compared to developed countries and limited job opportunities for highly specialized skills.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Educational and Professional Opportunities: <\/strong>Limited access to world-class research infrastructure.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Better training, exposure, and career growth opportunities abroad.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Preference for global higher education for advanced degrees.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lifestyle and Quality of Life: <\/strong>Better healthcare, infrastructure, and living standards abroad. It offers global recognition and networking opportunities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Government Initiatives<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme: <\/strong>Approved with a \u20b91 lakh crore corpus, this scheme aims to energise private-sector R&amp;D and deep-tech startups.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It offers long-term, low- or zero-interest loans, equity investments, and funds a new Deep-Tech Fund of Funds via the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF): <\/strong>The ANRF established in 2023, provides high-level strategic direction for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in science and technology.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Foundation aims to mobilise funds amounting to \u20b950,000 crore during 2023\u201328 through multiple streams, including the ANRF Fund, Innovation Fund, Science and Engineering Research Fund, and Special Purpose Funds.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Geospatial Policy, 2022: <\/strong>It seeks to position India as a global leader in the geospatial sector by 2035.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The policy liberalises access to geospatial data, encouraging its use in governance, business, and research.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Indian Space Policy, 2023: <\/strong>It builds on the space reforms introduced in 2020, which opened the domain to non-governmental entities for end-to-end participation.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It aims to enhance space capabilities, promote a flourishing commercial space industry, and foster collaboration between public and private entities.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Quantum Mission: <\/strong>Allocated \u20b96,003.65 crore for 2023\u201331, to advance quantum technologies through scientific and industrial R&amp;D.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>BioE3 Policy, 2024:<\/strong> It encourages the creation of Biomanufacturing and Bio-AI hubs, along with a national Biofoundry network, to accelerate technology development and commercialisation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Supercomputing Mission (NSM): <\/strong>Launched in 2015, the initiative empowers universities, research institutions, and government agencies with state-of-the-art supercomputing systems connected through the National Knowledge Network.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India Semiconductor Mission (ISM): <\/strong>Established in 2021, the mission seeks to build a robust ecosystem for semiconductor and display manufacturing.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India has already approved 10 semiconductor projects across six states, including the first commercial Silicon Carbide fabrication facility in Odisha.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India AI Mission: <\/strong>The IndiaAI Mission embodies the vision of \u201cMaking AI in India and Making AI Work for India.\u201d\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is advancing rapidly, having already increased computing capacity from an initial target of 10,000 GPUs to 38,000 GPUs, ensuring accessible AI infrastructure for startups, researchers, and industries.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): <\/strong>To foster innovation at the grassroots level by providing support to students, startups, and entrepreneurs.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India must increase administrative transparency in scientific institutions, and install robust systems to redress grievances.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Repatriating talent is just the first step; India must create an ecosystem where brilliance can thrive, through robust institutions, academic autonomy, funding, and openness to challenging questions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/science\/india-produces-smart-scientists-but-is-struggling-to-retain-them\/article71297174.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Recent reports of nearly 120 scientists resigning from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have raised concerns.\u00a0 <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> About <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Resignations have occurred over the years but the scale of recent departuresraises the question of why some of India\u2019s brighter scientific minds are leaving the organisation. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Similar cases have been seen from laboratories under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and several government-funded research organisations.\u00a0<\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/03-08-2026\/india-struggling-to-retain-scientists \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-80644","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80644","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=80644"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80644\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":80647,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80644\/revisions\/80647"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80644"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=80644"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=80644"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}