The problem with India’s science management

Sustained economic progress which can satisfy national ambition is invariably fuelled by scientific advances translated into deployable technologies. Alive to this reality, the government is overhauling India’s science establishment, which includes setting up the new National Research Foundation and restructuring the Defence Research and Development Organisation. An outsized role by scientists The defining feature of India’s science administration is the centrality of its senior scientists. The basic assumption behind the outsized role played by scientists in Indian science administration is that a good scientist will also be a good science administrator. As India remoulds its science establishment, one must really question the utility of scientists being given administrative tasks, whether as additional assignments or as full-time vice-chancellors or directors.