India is working on a new scheme designed to attract top Indian-origin researchers and academics settled abroad to return and contribute to the country’s growing research ecosystem. The plan, according to The Indian Express, has gathered momentum as global academic landscapes shift — particularly in the United States, where policies under the Trump administration have raised concerns about university autonomy and academic freedom.
At the heart of the initiative is the Principal Scientific Adviser’s office, which has held meetings with the Department of Higher Education, the Department of Science and Technology (DST), and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). Together, they are shaping a policy framework that could soon open doors for “star faculty” and scientists of Indian origin to take up research positions in leading Indian institutions.
The proposed scheme is expected to bring established Indian-origin scholars — those with significant academic credentials — to work for defined periods in India. These professionals may be offered opportunities at premier institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), top national laboratories, and autonomous research bodies under the DST and DBT.
To help them set up smoothly, the government is likely to provide a substantial “set-up grant” that allows researchers to build laboratories, recruit teams, and independently pursue their work. Officials familiar with the discussions said IITs are already on board, and several of their directors have participated in early consultations on how the scheme can be implemented.
Initially, the focus will be on 12 to 14 key areas in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) — particularly those considered critical to India’s long-term innovation and strategic goals.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Chintan Vaishnav — an academic at MIT Sloan School of Management and former mission director of the Atal Innovation Mission — noted that the challenge lies not just in policy but in the experience offered to returning scholars.
“On the input side, the key now is to create mechanisms that make their experience seamless — housing, hospitality, day-to-day needs — all those small things that can otherwise become annoyances,” he said. “This part needs a red-carpet approach, not just policy intent.”
Vaishnav added that India already has a strong foundation for collaboration. Its institutions maintain long-standing international partnerships, and there is genuine interest among Indian-origin researchers abroad to engage with the country’s academic and innovation ecosystem.
While discussions are still in the formative stage, the scheme reflects India’s broader ambition to strengthen its research and development (R&D) ecosystem by tapping into the global Indian scientific diaspora. Officials believe that encouraging even short-term collaborations can help transfer knowledge, bring new research methodologies, and bridge gaps between Indian and global innovation standards.
If implemented effectively, the initiative could serve as a bridge between global expertise and domestic research aspirations — making India’s scientific base both stronger and more globally connected.