In the fascinating world of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), a mere two per cent of its brilliant minds hailed from the prestigious halls of elite engineering institutions, such as the revered Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT). This intriguing revelation came to light through a query filed under the Right to Information Act back in 2014, shedding a curious spotlight on the diverse tapestry of talents within ISRO’s ranks. During that period, V Adimurthy, the Senior Advisor to the Interplanetary Mission at the illustrious Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, astutely observed that even sectors as vital and expansive as roadways and railways failed to magnetize the coveted IIT graduates into their folds. This unique insight underscores the multifaceted nature of talent acquisition and the remarkable blend of skills that contribute to India’s remarkable journey into space exploration.
Established from the early 1950s onwards with a grand vision, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) embarked on a mission to cultivate “technology leaders” who would be the architects of India’s burgeoning industrial landscape. However, as we ponder the trajectory of their journey, it becomes increasingly thought-provoking to assess whether they have truly realized the lofty objectives that birthed them. Inspired by the venerable Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the IITs were meticulously designed to provide a comprehensive education encompassing not only the fundamental engineering disciplines but also a rich tapestry of pure sciences, the arts, and humanities.
These holistic offerings, presented as elective courses, added a distinctive dimension to the B.Tech program, challenging students to broaden their horizons beyond the confines of technology. The ensuing narrative of the IITs’ evolution prompts us to reflect on whether they have faithfully fulfilled their original purpose in shaping India’s technological landscape.
The foundational aspiration behind the establishment of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) was to mold graduates into well-rounded professionals who possessed not only technical prowess but also an expansive social vision crucial for steering a fledgling India towards progress. However, an intriguing revelation emerges when we scrutinize the academic journey of IIT students. It appears that the bouquet of courses offered, designed to enrich their educational experience, has led many to diverge from the “core” engineering subjects towards “non-core” engineering disciplines and, subsequently, onto paths less trodden – careers in finance, management, and administration. This intriguing phenomenon, illuminated by a comprehensive study of IIT Bombay’s students conducted by Namit Agrawal, Sailakshmi Sreenath, Shishir K. Jha, and Anurag Mehra from the Centre for Policy Studies at IIT Bombay, serves as a fascinating commentary on the evolving trajectories of IIT graduates. (Source: “Current Science, Vol 124, No: 2, 25/January/ 2023”).
In the complex tapestry of IITs’ academic evolution, the original intent of nurturing individuals with a holistic perspective on India’s development stands juxtaposed with the reality of students utilizing the diverse course offerings as a springboard to explore “non-core” engineering fields. This exploration ultimately leads many into the realms of finance, management, and administration. The profound implications of this educational journey, vividly highlighted in the study mentioned above, beckon us to question whether the IITs have evolved in a manner that aligns with their initial purpose or if they have inadvertently ventured into uncharted territories of career choices.
Consequently, the outcome of this educational diversification is readily discernible across various facets of India’s industrial landscape and its scientific and technical establishments, exemplified prominently by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Herein lies a paradigm shift: a significant reliance on the talents emerging from non-elite and less-endowed engineering institutions. Within the corridors of ISRO, this transformation is glaring, with a substantial majority of its engineers and scientists hailing from non-elite institutions, embodying the aspirations and abilities of the emerging middle classes in smaller towns.
While it’s undeniable that this shift in sourcing talent signals a profound and revolutionary societal development, it simultaneously offers a silver lining. The enduring successes of ISRO throughout the years serve as a resounding testament to the potency of this transformation. They underscore the idea that excellence transcends the boundaries of academic pedigree, embracing diverse talents and nurturing them to achieve remarkable feats in the realm of space exploration. ISRO’s triumphs, in essence, illuminate the rich tapestry of potential hidden within the broader educational landscape of India.
ISRO takes immense pride in its commitment to financial prudence, a cornerstone of its reputation as the provider of the world’s most cost-effective satellite launches. One notable contributor to ISRO’s cost-efficiency is the modest salaries its personnel accept in comparison to the corporate sector. Rather than chasing lucrative paychecks, ISRO’s dedicated professionals are driven by a profound passion for careers in science and technology, illustrating that their motivation transcends monetary rewards. This paradigm shift in priorities underscores the intrinsic value these individuals place on advancing the frontiers of science and technology. (Source: “Current Science, Vol 124, No: 2, 25/January/ 2023”).
In the wake of the Indian Institutes of Technology’s (IITs) inception, a conspicuous trend emerged. Graduating students began flocking abroad, primarily to the United States, for higher education, with a significant portion choosing not to return—a phenomenon aptly labelled the “brain drain.” Over time, this external brain drain subsided, only to be replaced by an internal counterpart. Engineering graduates, while remaining in India, diverged from core engineering roles, opting for careers in fields such as management, finance, software, analytics, and more, including prestigious government services like the Indian Administrative and Foreign Services. This shift in career choices, especially among non-computer Science and Engineering (CSC) students, reveals the evolving dynamics of the IITs’ graduates in the professional landscape.
Throughout the 1990s, as India’s economy surged, enticing opportunities beckoned in the softer, non-engineering sectors, prompting a strategic divergence. Within elite institutions like the IITs, a dichotomy between “routine” and “creative” jobs began to take root, with many considering shop floor work mundane and unexciting. Furthermore, venturing into startups within the core engineering domain proved challenging. The career choices of these students were significantly influenced by socio-cultural factors, including peer, parental, and societal pressures. While the initial entrance into engineering programs carried immense societal value, students often found themselves disengaged from core engineering subjects, leading to a disconnect between their academic pursuits and aspirations.
Namit Agarwal’s study, shedding light on these evolving career preferences among engineering graduates, revealed intriguing trends. Students in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Engineering displayed the strongest penchant for core engineering roles, while Mechanical Engineering graduates exhibited nearly equal interest in both core and non-core engineering positions. Conversely, students in larger engineering departments such as Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science leaned heavily towards non-core roles. Key determinants in career choices included factors like pay, career growth prospects, and flexibility. Recruiters in non-core sectors enticed graduates with competitive salaries and the promise of exposure to diverse industries—a compelling proposition.
Cultural, lifestyle, and personality development aspects also played pivotal roles in shaping career preferences. Opportunities for extracurricular activities were highly valued as essential components of personality development, with 54.4% of students emphasizing the importance of the “culture” surrounding their jobs. Non-core positions, often perceived as glamorous, exerted a magnetic pull on students eager to assume early responsibilities in their professional lives. This emphasis on extracurricular activities, however, sometimes left students underprepared for core engineering roles that demanded specialized domain knowledge.
Consulting, IT/software, and engineering continued to dominate the recruiting landscape, collectively constituting 40% of the job market. The allure of non-core positions was further accentuated by the significant salary differentials, often accessible primarily to Computer Science and Engineering students, which profoundly influenced career aspirations. These roles were enticing due to their demand for relatively generic skills, alleviating the need for specialized technical knowledge—a key consideration for students who had lost interest in core engineering careers.
Namit Agarwal and his research team posed a crucial question that merits attention: why invest extensively in engineering training if subsequent career choices do not align with core engineering roles? As a potential remedy, they advocated for the annual collection and analysis of placement data, enabling informed decisions regarding seat allocation, curriculum adjustments, the establishment of multidisciplinary programs, and enhancements to the placement process. This approach could facilitate a more rational and effective allocation of resources within engineering education.
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