The Indian government is actively developing a new initiative aimed at attracting renowned Indian-origin academics and researchers currently abroad to return to India and contribute to its educational institutions. This effort is part of a broader strategy to bolster the country”s research and innovation capabilities.
According to a report from the Indian Express, this initiative focuses on recruiting highly qualified Indian-origin scientists and scholars with substantial research experience for positions at prestigious institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), leading research laboratories, and organizations under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
Discussions have been taking place between the office of the Principal Scientific Adviser and various educational departments to finalize the details of this scheme. A significant aspect of the proposal is the introduction of a “set-up grant” designed to facilitate the reintegration of returning scholars. This financial support would enable them to establish laboratories and assemble research teams within India.
The initiative is expected to prioritize 12 to 14 key areas within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), with a focus on those that are strategically important for national development. Several directors from IITs have reportedly shown their support during these discussions.
Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, an academic at the MIT Sloan School of Management and former Mission Director of the Atal Innovation Mission, emphasized that the government”s success hinges on its ability to eliminate procedural hurdles. He stated, “Mechanisms must be created to address everyday needs like housing, hospitality, and logistics, with a genuine red-carpet approach.” Dr. Vaishnav also noted that while India might not be able to offer salaries comparable to those in other countries, effective signaling could still draw talent. He advocated for selecting the right individuals and granting them the freedom to innovate, suggesting a flexible oversight model similar to that championed by Vikram Sarabhai at ISRO.
This development comes at a time when nations globally are vying for academic talent. In the United States, the administration has introduced the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education,” which ties federal funding to various ideological and structural criteria, including limits on international student intakes. Critics argue that such policies compromise university autonomy and academic freedom. Conversely, European leaders are taking steps to protect academic freedom through legislation, while countries like China and Taiwan are launching well-funded recruitment efforts to attract international scholars and enhance their higher education systems.
India”s new scheme is viewed as a strategic move to position its academic institutions favorably in this evolving global landscape and address the ongoing issue of brain drain. Existing initiatives, such as the Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) Faculty Programme initiated by the DST in 2017-18, have seen limited success, with only about 100 overseas scientists collaborating with Indian institutions.
Experts have pointed out that structural challenges, including bureaucratic hurdles, insufficient research funding, and uncompetitive salaries, impede India”s ability to attract international talent. According to reports, the annual earnings of a full professor in India average around USD 38,000, significantly lower than the USD 130,000 to 200,000 range in the United States and approximately USD 100,000 in China.
Officials noted that the new initiative aims to tackle these issues, including procedural delays, lack of institutional support, and rigid tenure policies, while ensuring financial flexibility for researchers. The proposal will also address aspects related to intellectual property rights and research independence. Once finalized, it will be submitted to the Union Cabinet for approval, with hopes that it will mark a significant step toward reversing India”s scientific brain drain and improving its standing in the global research arena.
