India needs to enhance scientific workforce to bridge gap with China, says Nuclear Scientist Dr VS Ramamurthy

Drawing a comparison between India and China’s scientific trajectory, renowned nuclear scientist Dr Valangiman Subramanian Ramamurthy pointed out on Jan 24 that both nations started on a similar footing after independence—India in 1947 and China in 1949.

Despite their different political systems, both countries faced challenges like large rural populations and poverty and progressed similarly in terms of GDP until 1990. But now India has only 200 scientists per million population while China has 500 per million. Attributing this partly to stagnation in India’s education system, Ramamurthy called for strengthening the education and research infrastructure to check brain drain.

In a chat with the Free Press, Dr Ramamurthy offered critical insights into India’s scientific progress, the challenges in education, and his personal experiences during pivotal moments in the country’s scientific history.

“Today, China has 500 scientists per million people, while India has only 200,” he said, emphasizing that this gap was a major reason for China’s rapid growth and its current competition with the United States. Dr Ramamurthy attributed part of this disparity to stagnation in India’s educational infrastructure.

He noted that in the 1960s, India had six IITs, which grew to just seven by 1990, despite growing population. “Our institutions did not grow proportionally to our population and that is why we face the challenges today,” he explained.

According to Dr Ramamurthy, the lack of expansion of premier institutions like IITs, IIMs and central universities has limited India’s capacity to produce enough scientists and researchers.

“Students will naturally go where opportunities exist. If they don’t find them here, they will leave,” he said, urging the country to invest heavily in education and R&D to create opportunities and retain talent.

Pokhran I nuclear test

Reflecting on a pivotal moment in India’s scientific history, Dr Ramamurthy recalled his experience during the Pokhran I nuclear test.

“We were staying in tents along with Dr Raja Ramanna and about 200 others. None of us knew exactly what to expect,” he said. Dr Ramamurthy, who served as a member of the design team of the first Indian nuclear experiment in Pokhran on May 18, 1974, reflected on a pivotal moment in India’s scientific history, recalling his experience during the Pokhran I nuclear test.

Describing the moment of the explosion, he recounted, “When the button was pressed, the earth went up and fell back again. It was an underground explosion—suddenly the ground surged and then settled. It was surreal. If I had told my wife what was going to happen, she might not have let me go!” Dr Ramamurthy also spoke warmly about his mentor, Dr Raja Ramanna, calling him an exceptional guide who had a unique approach to mentoring.

“He never judged whether you were right or wrong. Instead, he would ask, ‘Why do you want to do it?’ If you could explain your reasoning, that was enough for him,” he said. This approach, he explained, allowed for freedom and confidence in innovation.

Dr Ramanna believed in being convinced of one’s goals and pursuing them with determination, he said. “If someone proves you wrong, accept it. But don’t let others’ doubts stop you,” Dr. Ramamurthy said, summarizing his mentor’s philosophy.

Investments in education, research

Dr Ramamurthy emphasized that while India’s scientists were as capable as their global peers, the country needed to prioritize investments in education and research to bridge the gap with nations like China. He called for a stronger focus on expanding institutions and creating opportunities to ensure India’s scientific excellence in the future.