The Indian government is designing a new scheme to bring back Indian-origin “star faculty” and researchers working abroad, as concerns mount over President Donald Trump’s restrictive higher education policies in the U.S.
The initiative, being formulated by the Principal Scientific Adviser’s Office in coordination with the Ministry of Education, DST, and DBT, seeks to strengthen India’s research and innovation capacity.
Focus on STEM and Strategic Areas
According to officials, the plan will focus on 12–14 priority areas in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) considered critical for national development.
Researchers returning under the scheme will be offered posts in IITs, leading research labs, and autonomous institutions. A substantial “set-up grant” will help them establish laboratories and research teams in India.
Creating a ‘Red Carpet’ Experience
Experts such as Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, MIT academic and former Mission Director of the Atal Innovation Mission, have emphasized the need for a seamless onboarding experience — housing, hospitality, and autonomy — to make the move attractive.
He stressed that India may not match global salaries but could leverage “emotional pull” and long-term collaboration to bring world-class talent home.
Global Context: Trump’s Education Clampdown
The discussions come amid international reactions to Trump’s “Compact for Academic Excellence”, which ties U.S. federal funding to ideological conditions, limits international student intake, and freezes university tuition. Critics argue these measures undermine university autonomy and academic freedom.
In contrast, Europe, China, and Taiwan are introducing new academic freedom protections and talent-attraction schemes — a global race India now seeks to join.
Fixing Structural Challenges
Officials acknowledge that India must tackle bureaucratic hurdles, low salaries, and limited funding to succeed. The proposed scheme aims to resolve issues seen in earlier programs like VAJRA, which brought fewer than 100 overseas scientists since 2018.
The proposal will soon be placed before the Union Cabinet for approval.
