Addressing the Impact of Low National R&D Expenditure on Brain Drain and Global Competitiveness

An analysis of the structural challenges facing India due to low national research and development (R&D) spending, which currently hovers around 0.64% of GDP. This severe underinvestment actively accelerates brain drain by depriving highly skilled technical professionals and researchers of competitive domestic opportunities. Consequently, it impacts how the nation and its citizens are perceived on the global stage. This issue serves as a call for a fundamental shift toward critical thinking, proactive policy adjustments, and strategic infrastructure funding to fully leverage the immense potential of the country's youth population.