# To be economic superpower, India must fix talent flight like China 2026-08-10T02:53:12+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Singapore’s first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew warned that not attracting the best into government yields second-rate results. As India approaches its 80th year of Independence, it faces a similar challenge: retaining talent from Isro, the Army, IITs, and IIMs. The private sector offers higher salaries and long-term contracts, while government rules on retirement and red tape remain colonial-era constraints. China tackled this by launching over 200 programmes, including the “1,000 talent plan” and Qiming scheme, offering scientists millions in grants, VIP facilities, and family support. India’s defence exports have risen to $4.5 billion, and Isro scientists now contribute to private ventures like Skyroot Aerospace, but a composite structure linking government, corporate, and startup sectors is still missing. ## Coverage - hindustantimes.com Tags: brain drain, China talent schemes, IIMs, IITs, ISRO, talent retention Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/to-be-economic-superpower-india-must-fix-talent-flight-like-china/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/to-be-economic-superpower-india-must-fix-talent-flight-like-china/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.