Brain drain and retention of talent – UGC NET Question

Statements A and B accurately capture key aspects of brain drain in the context of higher education. Statement A correctly defines brain drain as outward migration of skilled persons seeking better prospects. B is true because retaining high-quality faculty and researchers is a major concern for Indian universities and research institutions. C is false since international mobility can also bring benefits such as remittances, networks and potential return migration. D is false because policies to attract or retain talent are closely tied to higher education and research planning. Thus, the correct combination is A and B only.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it identifies the two statements that genuinely represent the concept of brain drain and its challenge for Indian higher education. It excludes C and D, which oversimplify mobility as purely harmful and disconnect talent policies from educational planning.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it includes C, implying that international mobility is always harmful and devoid of benefits. This ignores the complex two-way flows of knowledge, collaboration and potential returnees, making the option inaccurate.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it combines B and D, thereby accepting D as correct. Since talent-return policies are indeed relevant to higher education and research systems, calling them unrelated is wrong. Hence this combination misclassifies a false statement as correct.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it treats all four statements as correct, thereby embracing the extreme positions in C and D. This ignores the nuanced impacts of mobility and the policy links between higher education and talent management.