The major problem remains that the current nature of academia is resistant to change and blocks visionaries. Until this system is dismantled and replaced with transparent hiring, merit-based funding, and visionary leadership, India will remain a land of potential, not of discovery
India hasn’t produced a Nobel laureate in science in almost a century now. The reason often cited for this predicament is that India doesn’t spend enough on research. Indeed, public investment in R&D must rise to at least 3 per cent of the GDP, as current levels remain modest. But is money really the only, or even the main, problem?
Leadership that prioritises control over creativity has turned many temples of science into bureaucratic fortresses. So, is the government responsible for this stagnation, or is academia to blame as well?
The answer, unfortunately, points to a crisis of leadership and vision within the system. Even a tenfold increase in funding will not bring transformation unless institutions are led by visionary scientists in the spirit of Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai.
The primary problem: How scientists are hired
India has a large pool of talented scientists, yet many of them are unable to secure academic positions. At the same time, our institutions are filled with faculty engaged in poor, incremental research. This raises some troubling questions: What criteria guide the hiring of scientists and faculty? Are they truly evaluated on quality and merit, or do connections, regional bias and patronage have an undue weight in these decisions? Is the faculty selection process transparent, fair, and merit-based, or are deep reforms needed to bring meaningful change?
The struggle does not end once a young scientist makes it to an institution. They often have to fight for every piece of equipment, every student, and every square foot of space. Valuable time which could be used for transformative research is instead expended on tackling internal politics and bureaucracy, particularly regional and disciplinary bias. . By the time they are settled, the drive to dream big is often lost.
The race for publications, awards, not for breakthroughs
In Indian academia, success is measured not by the quality or impact of your discoveries, but by the number of papers published and awards/medals collected. With several national academies and societies annually distributing a range of fellowships, medals, and awards, scientists chase citations, committees, and ceremonies, not ideas. The sScientists and researchers are often forced to participate in this race, willingly or otherwise. Those who opt out face real consequences, such as loss of funding, reduced visibility, and lack of institutional support. As researchers chase citations and committees, their resources are allocated elsewhere instead of tackling hard problems that could lead to Nobel-level breakthroughs.
The way forward: Let the ‘Gen Z’ lead
The problem is not limited to policies, but their makers. Indian academia is led by intellectuals who talk reform but fear meaningful change. While the wisdom and experience of senior leaders are invaluable, progress requires partnership with younger leaders who bring fresh ideas, urgency, and a global perspective.
This presents an opportunity to tap into the “Gen Z” of Indian academia, scientists aged 40 to 50 years, who are accomplished internationally yet still brimming with energy, ambition, and courage . The time is nigh to open up at least half of the leadership positions, including Directors, Vice-Chancellors, Secretaries of DST/DBT/CSIR/DAE, and the Principal Scientific Advisor’s office. This would mirror the transformation led by pioneers like Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai in the early years of Indian science. This could prove to be transformative in India’s road to meaningful scientific breakthroughs, which could open the road to a Nobel Prize.ystem thus rewards visibility over value and conformity over innovation. In a nutshell, meaningful change in scientific research in India requires academia to reform and align with the government’s vision of a self-reliant India
To its credit, the government has, in recent years, launched commendable initiatives for fundamental and translational research, start-ups, and innovation. At the same time, the government must continue to expand investment in research, aiming for 3% of GDP, and foster the inclusion of younger academic leaders who can drive this transformation with urgency and creativity.
The major problem remains that the current nature of academia is resistant to change and blocks visionaries. Until this system is dismantled and replaced with transparent hiring, merit-based funding, and visionary leadership, India will remain a land of potential, not of discovery.
Vivek Vijayrao Polshettiwar is a professor of chemistry at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai.
Source: Indian Express, 9/11/25
