Around 700 scientists quit DRDO in 6 years: AK Antony

, Dec 6: Almost 700 scientists have quit the Defence Research and Development Organisation (

) in the last six years. What is more significant is that it is mainly the younger scientists and not the senior ones who have left the organisation in search of better opportunities. The DRDO, the premier agency that develops military technology, has a network of over 50 labs and establishments across the nation.

Defence Minister AK Antony said, in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, on Wednesday that while 637 scientists quit the DRDO between 2007 and 2011, another 50 left the organisation till Oct 31 this year.

Antony said although people have shown personal reasons as the ground for quitting, it is believed that better opportunities available in other organisations and industries have actually encouraged them to make the move.

The DRDO, which has over 7,500 scientists working for it, is often criticised for its slow working pace that also affects the cost-effectiveness. Inside sources in the DRDO said more than the resignations it is the organisation's failure to attract quality scientists and engineers from premier institutes which is more worrying.

The Defence Minister, however, said that measures to rectify the trend have been put in place. The measures include quick promotions through assessments, two additional increments on each promotion, improved infrastructure facilities and opportunities to acquire higher qualifications at reputed institutes as DRDO-sponsored candidates.

Antony said the government was making every possible effort to provide performance-based incentive to DRDO scientists, similar to their counterparts in the department of atomic energy and ISRO.

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