India's mammoth defence worry, DRDO faces shortage of 2,776 scientists

New Delhi: India’s premier defence and research organisation DRDO is facing a shortage of 2,776 scientists as there has been no enhancement of scientific manpower since 2001, the government said today. In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said while the number of projects has grown multi-fold in terms of size and technological complexity keeping in view India’s strategic and tactical defence requirements, the enhancement of scientific manpower has not happened.[caption id=“attachment_1826549” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Manpower shortage at DRDO. Image courtesy PIB[/caption] “The authorisation sanctioned in 2001 was only to cater for IX & X plan projects of DRDO. In this regard, a cabinet note for augmentation of additional 4966 posts, including 2776 posts of scientists, for DRDO has been initiated. “DRDO has been recruiting scientists against vacancies caused by retirements, superannuations, resignations, etc only as its authorisation of scientists has remained unchanged since 2001,” Parrikar said. After the approval of enhanced manpower, recruitment against additional 2,776 posts of scientists will be spread over five phases and 555 scientists would be recruited in the first phase, he said. PTI