‘Hike research students’ stipend, low pay causing brain drain’

“The last fellowship hike for research scholars was implemented in April 2010. Stipend for research students in India is very low as compared to several other countries that are at the forefront in science and technology. As a result, many bright students, who wish to stay in the country, migrate to other countries with better opportunities in terms of research atmosphere and remuneration. Others find it financially challenging to opt for PhD over an opportunity for a good paying job,” said the letter, which is at present being circulated across institutes as part of a signature campaign.

Dr R V Hosur, director of the Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CBS), Mumbai, an initiative of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Mumbai University, said it was a valid demand. “The academic profession has to be made attractive. Many students don’t opt for science as they it does not pay well. So revision of stipend is the need of the hour. They should increase it to a reasonable level and do it as soon as possible,” he said.

While the first letter to the HRD Ministry was sent through email by IISc-Bangalore, students from IITs, IISc, IISERs, AIIMS, CSIR, DBT institutes and central universities have now come together to create a research scholars forum of India to pursue the matter.
“We felt that it was important to make it a collaborative effort to convey our voice. At IIT Bombay, at present there are 5,300 post-graduate students, and most of them have shown keen interest to be a part of the campaign,” said Shubham Badjate, general secretary of academic affairs (post-graduate students), IIT Bombay.

“Poor fellowship schemes are a deterrent for meritorious students as most of them have additional responsibilities. Family compulsions often take over passion for research. We are also demanding an annual increment in fellowship and provision of annual contingency for all research scholars,” said Pankaj Jain, secretary of academic affairs, students’ council of IISc-Bangalore.
mihika.basu@expressindia.com