Archive · 1 Dec 2025
India Needs Fundamental Education Reforms for Effective Academic Ghar Wapsi
The article discusses the challenges and concerns related to bringing back Indian-origin faculty to India.
It highlights that while the government is willing to invest in flagship projects, it often neglects the broader academic system.
The proposed changes to attract expatriates may create a dual system where returnees have more privileges than local faculty, leading to divisions and management issues.
The article also points out the growing restrictions on free speech and academic interaction, which could deter potential returnees.
Additionally, it mentions the historical failure of similar schemes due to apathy and over-management.
The author suggests that for such schemes to be successful, scholars should have the freedom to choose their institutions, and the government should focus on improving the overall academic infrastructure.
Government initiatives often focus on flagship projects, neglecting the broader academic system.
Proposed changes to attract Indian-origin faculty may create a dual system with divisions between returnees and local faculty.
Growing restrictions on free speech and academic interaction could deter potential returnees.
Previous schemes to reverse brain drain have failed due to apathy and over-management.
For successful academic ghar wapsi, scholars should have the freedom to choose institutions, and the government should improve the overall academic infrastructure.
- Who
- Indian government and academic community
- What
- Proposed changes to attract Indian-origin faculty back to India
- When
- Current and future academic policies
- Where
- India
- Why
- To improve the academic ecosystem and reverse brain drain
- Author
- Professor Emeritus, Department of English, Jadavpur University
- Article Reference
- Somak Raychaudhury’s 'Bringing Back Indian-Origin Faculty will need changes in policy, culture' (IE, November 27)
- Key Issue
- Lack of investment in general academic infrastructure
- Potential Impact
- Creation of a dual academic system with divisions between returnees and local faculty
- Major Concern
- Restrictions on free speech and academic interaction
- Historical Context
- Previous schemes to reverse brain drain have failed due to apathy and over-management
- Policy Bias
- Hierarchy in funding and opportunity among institutions
- Vision for Success
- Scholars should have the freedom to choose institutions