Context:

Critical technologies are increasingly shaping the global distribution of power and influence. Although India has made notable advances in science and technology, its research ecosystem displays significant disparities in attracting talent, institutional frameworks, and producing high-impact breakthroughs. The primary challenge is not the sheer number of researchers but the ability to draw and retain world-class experts within mission-focused areas essential for maintaining strategic autonomy.

India’s Current Research Landscape:

According to the Stanford–Elsevier report, India contributes merely 2.5% of the world’s highly cited scientific papers and accounts for only 2% of the globe’s top-cited scientists. While India ranks among the top five nations in 29 specific technologies, it suffers from a fragmented research ecosystem that prevents sustained global breakthroughs. Furthermore, the restrictions imposed by the US and China on the transfer of high-end technologies further widen this gap.

Global Dynamics and Emerging Opportunities:

·       China holds a commanding position, dominating 37 of the 44 identified critical technologies (as per ASPI data). It translates this dominance into sovereign strength largely by aggressively recruiting top international talent. Notably, China’s Young Thousand Talents Program has attracted 3,500 scientists, fueling exponential growth in research output and institutional prestige.

·       In contrast, the United States is witnessing a decline in research funding. The Trump administration, for instance, proposed more than a 50% cut in federal science budgets for agencies such as the National Science Foundation and NASA. Additionally, only about 15% of STEM PhDs now secure tenure-track positions within five years post-graduation, a steep drop from 25% two decades ago. Stringent visa regulations have also left many Indian-origin doctoral and postdoctoral researchers stranded.

·       Meanwhile, Europe is attempting to strengthen its appeal, with France announcing a €100 million fund to attract global research talent.

India’s Policy Framework:

·       The establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) marks a significant step, backed by a Rs 1 lakh crore Research and Development Innovation Fund. For the first time in decades, the government has committed large-scale, mission-driven investments in science, coupled with initiatives aimed at simplifying scientific research processes under the “Ease of Doing Science” agenda.

·       Despite multiple fellowship schemes, India has struggled to attract and retain global academic talent. Compensation packages remain uncompetitive compared to international standards, and world-class laboratories along with sustained research funding are frequently absent. Furthermore, clear career pathways and long-term absorption prospects for researchers are lacking. Importantly, recruitment efforts have not been systematically aligned with mission-driven research in areas critical for building sovereign capabilities.

The Focused Research Organisations (FRO) Model:

·       This proposed model envisions the creation of a select number of Focused Research Organisations embedded within Institutes of National Importance known for their expertise—such as IIT Delhi for quantum communication. These FROs will be structured as Section 8 companies with 51% industry participation, thereby fostering a collaborative ecosystem involving the public sector, academia, and industry.

·       The goal is to attract 500 top-tier researchers within five years, with a particular emphasis on early-career scientists. The model also emphasizes integrating existing Indian academics through joint appointments, rotational leadership roles, and project-based participation.

Strategic Domains of Focus:

·       The FROs will prioritize fields that are expected to define strategic autonomy in the coming decades. These include semiconductors, propulsion and hypersonics, synthetic biology, and quantum communication.

·       A notable milestone has been achieved at IIT Delhi in collaboration with DRDO, which successfully demonstrated quantum entanglement-based free-space quantum secure communication over distances exceeding one kilometer. This achievement positions IIT Delhi as a natural hub for a national FRO dedicated to quantum communication.

Four Guiding Principles of the FRO Model:

1. Provide globally competitive compensation by pooling financial resources.
2. Maintain a sharp strategic focus on developing sovereign capabilities in selected critical domains.
3. Establish a hybrid ecosystem that blends global expertise, indigenous knowledge, and industry resources.
4. Ensure institutional permanence through predictable funding mechanisms and clear talent pathways.

Conclusion:

India finds itself at a pivotal moment in its quest for technological sovereignty. Shifts in the global research landscape present a unique opportunity to attract and embed world-class researchers. Creating FROs is essential to build enduring capabilities that secure sovereign autonomy and foster economic competitiveness. Any delay risks losing a generation of scientific talent and increasing dependence on foreign powers. The choice is unequivocal: invest now in talent-centric critical technologies or accept long-term technological reliance.