Why India Is Not a Global Magnet for Science – Prof. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan
Global Scientific Shifts
The United States is cutting science funding:
National Institutes of Health (NIH) – $8 billion cut, with another $18 billion proposed for next year.
National Science Foundation (NSF) – $5 billion proposed cut.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) – Nearly 25% budget cut for 2026.
University grants have been reduced significantly.
Result: Many scientists in the United States are applying for jobs in Europe.
Nature Careers reported a 32% rise in U.S. scientist applications to Europe (March 2025 vs March 2024).
A Nature poll revealed 75% of U.S. scientists want to leave.
India's Position
India has only a few top-level institutes like:
Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)
National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS)
Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs)
Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
These are world-class in only specific areas.
India's scientific environment is not attractive enough for foreign scientists.
Issues in Indian Science
Delays in release of research funds.
Scholarships for students are delayed for up to a year.
Unstable science policies made without consulting scientists.
Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship also faced abrupt changes.
No national-level programs to attract top scientists from abroad.
Research and Development (R&D) Spending
India's R&D spending is only 0.6%–0.7% of GDP in 2025.
Much lower compared to countries like China and South Korea.
India’s R&D funding mostly comes from:
Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Department of Science and Technology (DST)
Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)
Private investment is very low.
In developed countries, private funding is double the public funding.
In India, it is the opposite.
Anusandhan National Research Foundation
Announced in 2021 to replace SERB.
Total target: ₹50,000 crore from 2023 to 2028.
Government to provide ₹14,000 crore.
Remaining ₹36,000 crore expected from private/public donations.
Comparison with Other Countries
Singapore: Attracts scientists with:
High salaries, low taxes.
Excellent infrastructure, education, transport, and healthcare.
Europe: Still more attractive to scientists than India.
Germany in 1930s: Scientists left due to safety risks.
Social Factors in India
Poor living conditions:
Dirty streets, pollution, unusable sidewalks.
Unsafe or uncomfortable public environment.
Well-off Indians rely on private services and ignore public infrastructure.
India’s Temporary Advantage
Young population (demographic dividend).
But without proper support, India may fall behind other Asian and Western countries.
Praise and Concern
Indian scientists work well despite challenges.
Young Indians are bright but not supported well enough. Without better science funding and environment, India will miss its global opportunity.
For the Sake of Peace, at the Cost of War
Relevance:
Vocabulary :
Iran’s Complex Relationship with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)
Overview of the NPT
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT): Opened for signatures on July 1, 1968.
Objective: To prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Phase 1: Model State (1968–1979)
Iran under Shah Reza Pahlavi:
Signed NPT on the first day.
Ratified it two years later to access nuclear technology under the White Revolution.
Promoted peaceful use of nuclear energy and upheld treaty principles.
Phase 2: Ambiguity and Doubt (1979–2002)
Post-Islamic Revolution Iran:
Ayatollah Khomeini takes over after Shah’s ouster.
Iran becomes ambiguous about its nuclear intentions.
During the Iran-Iraq War, Saddam Hussein's use of chemical weapons leads to reconsideration of deterrence strategies.
Covert Development Begins:
Iran starts developing technical know-how but avoids open weapon development.
Phase 3: Exposure and Fallout (2002–2014)
2002 Revelation:
National Council of Resistance discloses secret nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz and heavy water facility in Arak.
Iran failed to declare these under NPT – violating treaty obligations.
Became a violator of the NPT.
IAEA and Global Reaction:
In 2003, Iran signed the Additional Protocol (with France, Germany, U.K.) allowing more intrusive inspections.
In 2006, Iran stopped implementing the Protocol citing distrust.
IAEA reported Iran’s non-compliance, leading to:
UN Security Council Sanctions (2006–2014)
Hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad emphasized Iran’s right to enrich uranium.
Phase 4: Compliance, Collapse, and Crisis (2015–Present)
Return to Diplomacy (2015):
Under President Hassan Rouhani, Iran negotiated with P5+1 nations (China, France, Russia, U.K., U.S., Germany).
Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed:
Imposed strict limits on Iran’s nuclear program beyond NPT.
In return, sanctions were lifted.
Iran complied, becoming a model NPT state again.
2018 Collapse:
U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from JCPOA.
Reinstated "maximum pressure" sanctions.
Post-JCPOA Breach (2022):
Iran exceeded enrichment limits, nearing weapon-grade uranium levels.
Concerns of Iran nearing the threshold for a nuclear weapon.
Current Crisis and International Divide
Israel’s Strikes and Global Reactions
June 2025: Israel launched air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Justified as “self-defence”.
Supported by the U.S. under returning Trump administration.
Reactions:
Russia & China: Demand more sanctions; condemn Israel.
Europe: Oppose unilateral military action; fear NPT collapse.
Diplomatic Stalemate
Oman talks: U.S. proposed a third-country enrichment facility to supply fuel to Iran.
Israel’s attacks have disrupted negotiations.
Potential Consequences
If Iran leaves the NPT and develops a nuclear weapon:
Possible regional arms race (e.g., Saudi Arabia).
Major blow to global non-proliferation efforts.
Risk of war to prevent a nuclear Iran.
Iran’s Current Position
Official Stand:
President Masoud Pezeshkian claims Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons.
Due to Israel’s attacks, diplomacy is blocked.
Iran keeps the nuclear option open.
Advancements:
Iran has reached unprecedented nuclear capability.
Continues to officially deny nuclear weapons pursuit.
Summary: The Gist
Iran’s engagement with the NPT has moved from model compliance to covert defiance and back.
Presently, Iran has advanced nuclear capability and is on the verge of weaponization.
The NPT, created to prevent such crises, now faces one of its greatest challenges.
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