Lok Sabha Question No. 493 (STARRED), answered on 2019-07-26
Subject: Brain Drain
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Kirron  Kher

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.493 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26/7/2019

## BRAIN DRAIN

## *493.  SHRIMATI KIRRON KHER:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY वान और ौयोगक मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  the  serious  issue  of  brain  drain  affecting  the developments in Science and Technology;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the measures taken by the Government to reduce brain drain from scientific community?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE; MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

वाय और परवार कयाण मंी ; वान और ौयोगक मंी ; और पृ वी वान मंी

डॉ. हष वधन

- (a) to (c):  A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT AS REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.493 ON 26/7/2019 REGARDING BRAIN DRAIN

(a) & (b):   No significant brain drain which is to the extent of affecting the developments in Science and  Technology  (S&T)  has  been  observed  by  the  Union  Government.  Government  has  adopted three-pronged  strategy  to  retain  the  best  manpower  in  the  country.  First  strategy  has  been  the creation of substantial sophisticated research infrastructure and environment for scientific pursuits and academic / research institutions in the country. Secondly, opportunities have been created for overseas scientists of Indian origin to contribute to our country. Thirdly, new opportunities have been created for postdoctoral research in the country.

- (c) Several  measures  have  been  taken  by  the  Government  to  create  new  opportunities  for scientists as well as for facilitating brain gain. 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. 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 motivate them to continue their research in the country. A large number  of  young  scientists  have  been  supported  through  schemes  like  Early  Career  Research Award, National Postdoctoral Fellowship of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB). Significant new opportunities have been created by expansion of S&T led start-ups. Schemes like Atal  Innovation  Mission  of  Niti  Aayog,  National  Initiative  for  Developing  and  Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) of DST and schemes of DBT are providing unprecedented opportunities for our  scientists  and  technologists.  The  substantial  increase  of  allocation  (RE)  of  the  Ministry  of Science  &  Technology  in  the  S&T  sector  from  Rs.  33,413.2crore  in  the  2009-14  period  to  Rs. 51,423.1 crore during 2014-19 clearly demonstrates the commitment of the Government to develop the overall S&T landscape and encourages our scientists to continue their work in the country.

The  Flexible  Complementing  Scheme  /  Merit  based  promotion  scheme  positioned  in scientific departments and the implementation of the VII Central Pay Commission pay scale and introduction of Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) in strategic Departments have also been  instrumental  in  recruiting  and  retaining  scientists.  The  amount  of  fellowship  to  research personnel  (Junior  /  Senior  Research  Fellow,  Research  Associate)  has  been  enhanced  by  24-35% with effect from 1 st January 2019 by the Central Government.

DST through the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Faculty Scheme, SERB through the Ramanujan Fellowship Scheme and DBT through Ramalingaswami reentry  Fellowship  Scheme  provide  attractive  avenues  and  opportunities  to  Indian  researchers  of high calibre, who are residing abroad, to work in Indian Institutes/Universities of their respective interest and domain. Wellcome Trust / DBT India Alliance Programme offers fellowship for any national for undertaking basic, clinical and public health research work in Indian Institutes/Universities  etc.  Visiting  Advanced  Joint  Research  (VAJRA)  Faculty  Scheme  of  SERB offers adjunct / visiting faculty positions to accomplished foreign scientists including scientists of Indian origin to undertake high quality research in  Indian Institutions /  Universities for  specific period of time. All these measures taken by the Government are aimed at retaining and bringing Scientists and Technologists to India.

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