new delhi

A decision announced last week by the Indian government to limit the opportunities for promotion for scientists working outside the ‘strategic’ departments of space, atomic energy and defence has provoked an angry reaction among affected researchers.

Researchers working in these three areas will continue to enjoy a fast-track promotional system, but those in the eight ‘non-strategic’ government departments, such as biotechnology, industrial research, and oceanography, will have to wait between three and five years before being assessed for promotion to the next grade.

The announcement was made by the Department of Personnel after the rejection of a suggestion from a national pay commission that scientists in all government agencies should enjoy a uniform pay structure and promotional opportunities. The Joint Action Forum, which represents researchers in the eight non-strategic scientific departments, says the government is legitimizing a caste system in Indian science.