The Indian government is formulating a new scheme aimed at encouraging Indian-origin researchers and “star faculty” based abroad to return and contribute to the country’s academic and scientific landscape. This initiative is gaining momentum amid growing concerns over policies in the United States under the Trump administration that some critics say are undermining university autonomy and academic freedom.
The Principal Scientific Adviser’s office has initiated discussions with the Ministry of Education’s Department of Higher Education, the Department of Science and Technology (DST), and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to shape the details of the scheme. The goal is to strengthen India’s research and development ecosystem by attracting well-established scientists with significant academic achievements.
Under the proposed framework, returning researchers will be offered positions at premier institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), leading research labs, and autonomous bodies under the DST and DBT. A key feature of the initiative includes a substantial “set-up grant” to provide financial autonomy and help them establish labs and research teams in India. The IITs are actively involved in the discussions, with several directors participating in the policy formulation process.
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