(a) whether the Government has paid attention to the problem of brain drain which is affecting development in the field of Science and Technology;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to check brain drain of the scientific community?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY & EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
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(a) & (b) No significant brain drain to such an extent of affecting the development in the field of Science and Technology (S&T) has been observed by the Union Government. Multifaceted approaches have been adopted in terms of creating adequate opportunities in the country to retain highly skilled talent pool and also encourage return of the best-in-class scientists, from abroad, to India, for enhancing the nation’s capabilities in various areas of scientific research, development and deployment.
(c) Several steps have been taken by the Government to check brain drain of the scientific community. The extramural funding schemes of Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Fellowship schemes of DST, DBT and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have been designed to encourage scientists to do quality research in the country. Several schemes / programmes for building research infrastructure for enhancing research capabilities such as Fund for improvement of S&T infrastructures in universities and higher educational institutions (FIST) have been instituted. Other schemes like Core Research Grant, Research fellowships such as JC Bose and Swarnajayanti are targeted at scientific community to empower them to pursue world-class research in cutting edge areas of science and technology. Special attention has been given to young scientists for making them independent and motivates them to continue their research in the country. A large number of young scientists have been supported through schemes like Start-up Research Grant, National Postdoctoral Fellowship of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and MK Bhan-Young Researcher Fellowship Programme of DBT. Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) Faculty Scheme of SERB provides a platform for overseas scientists including Non-Resident Indians to undertake collaborative research in Indian Institutions and Universities for a finite period of time. The Flexible Complementing Scheme / Merit based promotion scheme positioned in scientific departments and introduction of Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) in strategic Departments have also been instrumental in recruiting and retaining the scientists. All these measures taken by the Government are aimed at retaining our scientific workforce in the country and thereby reduce brain drain.
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