Parliament flags IIT brain drain issue, Centre says it's a personal choice

With the migration of IIT graduates back in focus in Parliament, the Centre on Monday said pursuing higher education or employment abroad is a matter of individual choice rather than a reflection of systemic shortcomings.It added that decisions to move overseas are influenced by factors such as educational opportunities, affordability and career aspirations, while noting that many graduates return to India after gaining global exposure.GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO BRAIN DRAIN CONCERNSThe issue was raised in the Lok Sabha by Trinamool Congress MP Mala Roy, who sought details on IIT campus placements over the past three years, the number of graduates who secured jobs but later moved abroad, and the reasons behind their migration.Responding on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar addressed all three queries together but did not furnish data on the number of IIT graduates who went overseas after securing campus placements.Instead, he said pursuing higher education or employment abroad is "a matter of individual will and choice", influenced by factors such as affordability, access to education loans, exposure to foreign societies, and aptitude for specific fields of study.IITs STRENGTHENING PLACEMENT ECOSYSTEMThe ministry said IITs have undertaken several initiatives to improve placement outcomes and enhance students' employability. These include academia-industry conclaves, business summits, leadership talks, internships, industry-readiness programmes, soft skills workshops, mock interviews, and career development initiatives.According to the government, IITs are also leveraging their extensive alumni networks to strengthen ties with leading global companies and create better employment opportunities for students.PLACEMENTS DEPEND ON MULTIPLE FACTORSThe Centre noted that campus placement figures are influenced by a range of factors beyond recruitment demand. These include prevailing market conditions, students opting for higher education or research, and a growing preference for entrepreneurship and start-up ventures.The ministry added that a significant number of undergraduate students voluntarily choose not to participate in campus placements, instead pursuing off-campus recruitment opportunities or preparing for competitive examinations.It also highlighted that incubators and pre-incubators established across IITs are fostering technology-based start-ups, enabling graduates to emerge as job creators rather than job seekers.MANY STUDENTS RETURN AFTER OVERSEAS STINTSOn the question of students moving abroad, the government said international mobility for education and employment is influenced by a combination of economic, academic and personal considerations. These include affordability, access to bank loans, exposure to international societies, and interest in specialised areas of study.The ministry also stressed that overseas migration is often temporary, with many graduates returning to India after completing higher education or gaining short-term professional experience abroad.NEP FOCUSING ON GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESSReiterating its broader vision for higher education, the government said it recognises the realities of a global knowledge economy where international mobility is increasingly common.It added that the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has focused on improving access, equity, inclusivity and quality in higher education while promoting the internationalisation of Indian education.

The policy, the ministry said, aims to position India as a global education destination while equipping graduates to compete in an increasingly interconnected world.- EndsPublished By: Apoorva AnandPublished On: Jul 28, 2026 09:00 ISTREAD | Why a rocket scientist, tech architect and IIT director are fixing India's examsREAD | Technology is Non-Negotiable: IIT Madras chief on PM's NTA reform task force