The return of young scientists from abroad to IIT-IIM has become a new phenomenon. For instance, Shilpa Satish, an assistant professor at IIM Kozhikode, decided to return to India to raise her child in the same educational environment that shaped her academic journey. She stated that she does not regret her decision, wishing for her child to grow up in Kerala, near the Vembanad Lake, in an atmosphere of family support. Furthermore, she aimed to contribute to the Indian public education system.
Shilpa received her PhD in Sociology from the University of South Florida, and much of her research focuses on the social and ecological landscape of Kerala. For her, returning to India did not mean abandoning a global career but rather having the opportunity to develop her research on ground she understands very well. However, she acknowledges existing issues within Indian institutions related to bureaucracy and the socio-cultural system.
Like Shilpa, many young Indian scientists who studied abroad are now building their academic careers in their home country.
Dominance of Youth in IIM Bangalore
IIM Bangalore is a prime example of this trend. This IIM, which has over 100 faculty members, is characterized by a high proportion of young talent. Of the total 150 faculty members, about 30% of professors are under 35 years old, whereas several years ago this figure was less than 10%. Many of these researchers completed their studies abroad but chose India over international opportunities.
Professor Saurav Mukhi, Dean of Human Resources and Organizational Behavior at IIM Bangalore, notes that this change reflects the evolution of the older IIMs. Previously, these institutions were primarily focused on teaching, but now their focus has shifted to publishing high-quality research to improve global rankings.
Professor Mukhi emphasizes that 'this change has increased the significance of the young faculty group. One cannot expect top-quality publications from a suddenly appointed senior professor who spent years in administrative duties.' Thanks to these changes, IIM Bangalore has risen seven places in the FT 2025 Masters in Management ranking, securing 21st place, which is attributed to improved research and growing international integration.
The influx of professors educated abroad benefits Indian institutions through international research collaboration, exposure to global methodologies, and strong scientific publications. However, Professor Mukhi clarifies that holding a foreign degree is not the sole selection criterion; priority is given to young specialists who are research-oriented and can advance the institute's research agenda.
From 'Brain Drain' to 'Brain Circulation'
The return of scientists from abroad to India is a new trend, although it cannot be considered a complete cessation of the long-standing 'brain drain' trend. Professor Anubha Agrawal from IIM-B believes that the research environment in India has significantly improved, even if the country lags behind Western nations in terms of funding and infrastructure. Western countries have invested enormous sums in research and infrastructure for decades, while most of the budget in India was spent exclusively on the education system.
Nevertheless, in institutions like IIM-B, young faculty members are now provided with significant academic freedom, reduced teaching loads, research grants, and funding to attend international conferences.
Impact of Visa Policy and Uncertainty
Kadar Nath Thakur, an assistant professor at MDI Gurgaon, highlights another aspect of this shift. He points out that the return to India is driven not only by the attractiveness of the country itself but also by external circumstances. Reduced research funding in the US and visa uncertainty in 2025 have left many Indian postdocs and PhD students in a dilemma regarding career building there. As a result, many scientists have chosen to return to India.
Moreover, India's rapidly growing consumer market, digital infrastructure (such as UPI), the gig economy, and the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) offer researchers new and practical topics for study.
The Challenge of Understanding the Indian Context in Teaching
While the arrival of young faculty contributes to research development, they also face a practical challenge: 'understanding the Indian context.' Professor Saurav Mukhi explains that a significant portion of IIM's revenue comes from executive education (courses for senior executives). These executives require not only theory but also practical understanding relevant to the Indian market and conditions. Young professors who returned after obtaining their PhDs abroad sometimes lack this local understanding, which is compensated for by specialized training centers established by the institutes.
Sebastian M.P., Director of IIM Kozhikode.
