Why it matters: India is facing a global competition for top academic talent. Amid policy pressures in the US, the Modi government plans a scheme to bring back Indian-origin faculty scientists and researchers to strengthen India’s research and development ecosystem.
Background
- The US higher education system under the Trump administration introduced stricter visa and policy measures, affecting university autonomy and international faculty.
- India sees an opportunity to attract highly skilled Indian-origin scientists back home to boost innovation and research.
Government Strategy
The proposed scheme will:
- Offer Positions at Top Institutions – IITs, DST & DBT labs, and autonomous research bodies.
- Provide Financial Autonomy – Substantial “set-up grants” to establish laboratories and teams.
- Prioritize STEM Fields – 12–14 strategic areas critical for national development.
- Ensure Smooth Transition – Housing, hospitality, and day-to-day needs addressed for visiting faculty.
Dr Chintan Vaishnav, MIT Sloan academic and Mission Director for Atal Innovation Mission, emphasizes a “red-carpet” approach, ensuring researchers can focus on their work rather than bureaucratic hurdles.
Global Context
- Many countries, including China, Taiwan, and EU nations, have well-funded initiatives to attract overseas talent.
- India aims to position its research institutions competitively in this global talent race.
Challenges Addressed
Past attempts to attract Indian-origin researchers faced hurdles such as:
- Procedural delays and bureaucratic red tape
- Limited research funding and financial uncertainty
- Absence of clear tenure or intellectual property policies
- Low global competitiveness of salaries
The new scheme aims to remove these structural obstacles, making India an attractive destination for long-term academic appointments.
Existing Initiatives
- Programs like the VAJRA Faculty Programme bring overseas scientists to India for short-term research collaborations (up to 3 months a year).
- However, participation has been modest, highlighting the need for a more full-time, longer-term initiative.
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- India is actively addressing brain drain by creating policies to attract talent back home.
- The initiative focuses on research autonomy, STEM development, and operational flexibility.
- Knowledge of such government schemes is useful for current affairs, GS Paper 2 & 3, and essays in exams.
GKMint Tip: Always connect current affairs stories with policy objectives, challenges, and global comparisons — this helps retain facts and improve answer quality in exams.
Source: The Indian Express