GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2591
TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.03.2005

EXODUS OF SCIENTISTS

2591. SHRI JANARDHANA POOJARY:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

a. whether it is a fact that there is large scale exodus of scientists from India to foreign countries in search of better career options;

b. whether such migration of top scientists from reputed institutes and organisations in the Country is on account of inadequate pay and perks, lack of career options and poor working conditions;

c. if so, the details in this regard; and

d. the measures that are proposed to be taken to encourage the scientists to stay behind and contribute to the development of the country?

A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY & MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT

(SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) to (c) Some scientists do migrate to other countries for various reasons including financial and academic gains. However, no record of such scientists leaving the country is being maintained centrally.

(d) Several measures have been taken from time to time by the Government to minimize the outflow and to contribute to the development of the country. Some of these measures are

• Setting up of centres of excellence/advanced studies in the universities and academic institutions.
• Creation of core groups of professionals with necessary modern facilities required for pursuing research in new and frontier areas of science.
• S&T based training for entrepreneurial development.
• Increase in the outlay for science and technology sector in successive Five Year Plan.
• Creation of new scientific Departments/Organisations.
• Delegation of advanced administrative and financial powers to S&T institutions to improve working conditions of scientists.
• Manpower development training/re-training programmes through associateships/ fellowships.
• Provisions for temporary placement of scientists and technocrats under the scheme of scientist’s pool.
• Creation of supernumerary posts.
• Invitation to distinguished men and women of Indian origin settled abroad for short term technical assignments to assist in frontier and emerging areas of S&T.
• Fast Track Scheme for Young Scientists.
• Better Opportunities for Young Scientists in Chosen Areas of Science and Technology (BOYSCAST) fellowship to visit international laboratories and institutions
• Swarnajayanti Fellowships.
• Mission HOPE (Higher Education – Opportunities for Promoting Entrepreneurship) with the aim of converting aspirations to real enterprises (CARE).
• Contact programmes to attract and motivate brilliant young scientists to take up R&D as a career.
• Scientists are given financial assistance to participate in international conferences and training programmes abroad.
• Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowships.
  Early Faculty Induction Programme, which aims at attracting bright and young under-graduate students in Engineering and Technology/Pharmacy/Architecture, etc. to take as their career.
• Appointment of NRIs and persons of Indian Origin in the permanent faculty positions in the IITs.