Scheme to Attract ‘Star Faculty’ Amid Global Academic Shifts

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• The Union government is formulating a new scheme to attract Indian-origin “star faculty” and researchers working abroad to return and strengthen India’s research and innovation ecosystem amid shifting global academic dynamics.

India’s Research and Academic Landscape

• India has a long-standing tradition of excellence in science, technology, and higher education, reflected through institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs), and national laboratories under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT). 
• However, the country continues to face challenges in retaining and attracting top-tier global talent.
• According to government and academic reports, India’s research and development (R&D) spending remains around 0.7% of GDP, lower than major economies like the U.S. (2.8%) and China (2.4%). 
• This gap, combined with bureaucratic hurdles and limited research autonomy, has led to an outflow of highly skilled Indian scientists and researchers, a phenomenon commonly referred to as “brain drain.”
• To counter this, the government has been implementing initiatives such as:
  • Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) Faculty Scheme, 
  • Ramanujan Fellowship, and 
  • Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship, aimed at connecting Indian-origin scholars abroad with domestic institutions. 
• However, participation in these schemes has been modest, prompting the need for a more ambitious, full-scale initiative.

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News Summary

• The Government of India is developing a new flagship programme to attract Indian-origin “star faculty” and researchers working in leading global universities and research institutions to return and contribute to India’s R&D ecosystem.
• The discussions aim to strengthen India’s research ecosystem by offering these scholars positions in premier institutions such as the IITs, top national laboratories, and autonomous research centres.
• Key Features of the Proposed Scheme
  • Targeting Leading Indian-Origin Researchers:
    • The initiative seeks to attract established Indian-origin scientists and academics with significant achievements in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 
    • The plan prioritises 12-14 critical scientific domains, considered strategically important for national capacity-building.
  • Attractive Set-Up and Research Grants:
    • Returning scholars may receive a substantial one-time “set-up grant” to establish laboratories and research teams in India. 
    • Institutions like the IITs have expressed support for this approach, emphasising flexibility and research autonomy.
  • Simplified Bureaucratic Processes:
    • The scheme aims to create a “red-carpet ecosystem”, addressing logistical and administrative challenges faced by returnees, such as housing, institutional support, and project funding.
  • Institutional Collaboration:
    • The government plans to facilitate inter-institutional partnerships between Indian and global universities, fostering sustained collaborations instead of short-term exchanges.
  • Balanced Oversight and IP Ownership:
    • The programme will emphasise light-touch oversight, allowing researchers operational freedom while clearly defining intellectual property ownership structures.

Global Context and Strategic Significance

• The scheme comes at a critical time, as geopolitical and academic dynamics shift internationally, particularly under the Trump administration’s renewed scrutiny of U.S. higher education institutions.
• In the U.S., new policies such as the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” have imposed restrictions on international student intake, race-based admissions, and tuition flexibility. 
• These actions have raised concerns about academic freedom and institutional autonomy, leading to uncertainty among global academics-including Indian-origin faculty.
• Simultaneously, other regions are capitalising on this transition:
  • Europe is working to enshrine academic freedom into law, with increased funding for research collaboration.
  • China and Taiwan continue to expand well-funded recruitment drives to attract overseas scientists.

Addressing India’s Structural Challenges

• Non-competitive pay scales: A full professor in India typically earns around USD 38,000 annually, compared with USD 130,000-200,000 in the U.S. and USD 100,000 in China.
• Limited research infrastructure: While India boasts several centres of excellence, many universities lack advanced laboratory facilities and institutional autonomy.
• Bureaucratic red tape: Approval processes for hiring, funding, and collaborations are often slow and multi-layered, discouraging international participation.
• The new scheme is being designed to overcome these issues through streamlined governance, multi-year appointments, and transparent evaluation systems.

Outlook and Future Prospects

• If implemented effectively, the scheme could transform India’s research landscape by reversing the brain drain and nurturing a new generation of globally connected scientists. 
• It could also help bridge the gap between academia and industry, fostering technology transfer and innovation-led growth.
• The proposal will be presented to the Union Cabinet for final approval in the coming months.

Source: IE