India’s prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are globally renowned for producing top-tier engineering talent. However, a new debate has emerged around the mass migration of IIT graduates abroad, sparked by Dr. Deepessh Divaakaran, a Kochi-based deep-tech startup founder. In a viral LinkedIn post, Dr. Divaakaran described the phenomenon as “state-sponsored cognitive asset laundering.”

He claims that 30–36% of IIT graduates migrate to countries like the U.S., while only about 3% enter national research or defence institutions like DRDO, ISRO, or BARC. He also pointed out that over 60% of top 100 JEE rankers eventually settle overseas, raising questions about the effectiveness of public investments in India’s elite education system.

Who Pays the Price?

Dr. Divaakaran highlighted that the average IIT student receives ₹10–15 lakh in government subsidies during their academic journey. However, many of these highly skilled graduates choose to work for foreign corporations or pursue higher studies in the West. “We pay for the training. The West buys the mind,” he remarked, calling attention to how Indian taxpayers are inadvertently supporting foreign economies.

The term “cognitive asset laundering” refers to this process of training intellectual capital domestically only to see it benefit other nations, especially in high-tech sectors.

Proposed Solutions: Retain the Brain

Dr. Divaakaran didn’t just stop at criticism, he offered bold policy suggestions:

• Five-year national service bonds for IIT and publicly funded institution graduates.
• A National Brain Retention Plan offering career incentives and fast-track research roles.
• Restrictions on foreign firms hiring from IITs, unless they contribute to Indian R&D or innovation funds.

These proposals aim to ensure a fair return on public investment and build a stronger domestic research and innovation ecosystem.

The Broader Impact on India’s Innovation Ecosystem

While leaders like IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti have noted signs of a reverse brain drain in sectors like chip design, Dr. Divaakaran argues that India still lacks the infrastructure, pay scales, and research opportunities to keep top minds at home.

As India aspires to lead in technology, defence, and innovation, retaining homegrown talent is critical. Dr. Divaakaran’s remarks have sparked a much-needed national conversation about balancing individual freedom with national responsibility.

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