Government Scheme to Attract Indian-Origin STEM Faculty
A recent report highlights the government’s initiative to attract Indian-origin faculty in STEM from abroad, leveraging changes in US policies under the Trump administration to strengthen India's research ecosystem.
Incentives and Challenges
- Incentives:
- Positions in premier institutions like IITs.
- Substantial set-up grants for research infrastructure.
- Long-term engagement compared to previous short-term schemes.
- Challenges:
- Bureaucratic hurdles in procurement and administration.
- Cultural adjustment to Indian institutions.
- Lower salary scales and living conditions in India compared to the US.
- Impact on existing staff morale due to differential treatment.
International Comparisons
- China's Thousand Talents Plan:
- Offers lavish grants, housing, and easier visa processes.
- Faced with similar issues of resentment among local scientists.
- Higher number of world-class institutions and greater R&D spending (2.7% of GDP) compared to India (0.65%).
Recommendations for India
- Increase R&D spending significantly.
- Implement "ease-of-doing-research" regulations.
- Expand and improve scientific institutions, especially universities.
- Commit to long-term funding for scientific research.
These steps, if implemented, could make India an attractive destination for returning NRI scientists and bolster its position as a scientific powerhouse.