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

LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 405
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22-04-2008

SWITCHING OVER OF SCIENTISTS TO PRIVATE SECTOR
405. SHRI HITEN BARMAN:

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

(a) whether a large number of scientists are switching over to the private sector;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons therefor; and
(c) the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to check the trend?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES

(KAPIL SIBAL)

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

STATEMENT AS REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 405 FOR 22.04.2008 REGARDING "SWITCHING OVER OF SCIENTISTS TO PRIVATE SECTOR"

(a) No Sir. There is no large switching over of scientists from Government Research Institutions to the private sector. However, there are evidences indicating that some scientists are switching over from mission oriented institute like DRDO and industrial research organisation like CSIR to the private sector.

(b) The private sector engaged in technology driven manufacturing both in defence and non-strategic sectors offer better career opportunities for experienced scientists. Typically in organisation like DRDO the evidences reflect that around 5 to 7 % of the total scientists seem to opt for mid-career switch over. However, DRDO has been able to recruit scientist through fresh induction and compensate for such indicative migration.

     Therefore the current trend needs to be considered as a dynamics of change and is likely to increase the extent of production based on advanced technologies in emerging economy like India. Further the inter-sectoral migration of scientist/engineers will strengthen the public-private sector linkages in R&D.

(c) Government from time to time have taken several measures to encourage research scientists by providing various incentives. These include:

• Induction of new and attractive fellowships;
• Creation of core groups of professionals with necessary modern facilities required for pursuing research in new and frontier areas of science;
• Creation of new scientific Departments/Organisations;
• Increase in the outlay for science and technology sector in successive Five Year Plan;
• Setting up of centres of excellence/advanced studies /incubation centres in the universities, academic institutions and laboratories;
  Manpower development training/re-training programmes through associate-ships/ fellowships;
• 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;
• 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;
• 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;
• Early Faculty Induction Programme, which aims at attracting bright and young under-graduate students in Engineering and Technology/Pharmacy/Architecture, etc. as a good career avenue.
• Establishment of deemed university institution by the Department of Space and Department of Atomic Energy to ensure steady flow of young talent for carrying out research activities.