H-1B, and the Challenge of Retaining Talent at Home

A better education system, an ecosystem of entrepreneurship and a geopolitical vision can stem ‘brain drain’.

The $100,000 fee for H-1B visa processing is a nail in the coffin of the rapidly dying idea of an “open world” as we know it.

Even for those who secure the visa, the journey is rarely smooth: a long wait for a green card, followed by the distant promise of citizenship. This has already been the reality for lakhs of Indians in the US, and America is not alone. Across the developed world, rising protectionism and anti-immigrant sentiment have hardened borders and eroded the opportunity of global mobility. Even if policies soften in the future, the scars will remain, shaping the decisions of the next generation of aspirants.

With its young demographic and a fast-growing economy, India undoubtedly holds immense promise. But demographics and growth alone will not automatically keep talent at home. If we are to truly reap the benefits of our people staying back, we must create the right conditions here — and that requires bold moves.

First, we must delegate power and fix our cities. The quality of life in Indian cities is abysmal. For the elite, gated societies mimic developed country suburban lifestyles, but they are often just “golden cages”. Just outside lie broken roads, polluted air, poor waste management, and a dearth of public spaces. Municipal governments remain weak, overpowered by State administrations.

To improve the living situation in our cities, we must devolve real authority to local governments and empower mayors and councillors. Thriving cities are engines of ideas and energy, and they will remain magnets for young people seeking both opportunity and freedom.

Higher Education Thrust

Second, we need to turbocharge our higher education ecosystem. India has over 1,100 universities and nearly 55,000 colleges, yet only a handful feature in global rankings. India’s vast scale means little if its institutions cannot compete on quality. A country of India’s size requires both strong public universities and top-tier private institutions. We must de-bottleneck approvals, give independence to university administrators and encourage private capital and philanthropy, while dramatically increasing investment in research and development.

Recent reforms such as the National Education Policy 2020 and initiatives like the Institutions of Eminence scheme are steps forward, but far more is needed.

Third, we must broaden and deepen entrepreneurship. Government programmes such as Startup India have provided momentum. But real entrepreneurial energy goes beyond unicorns: it includes MSMEs, service-sector innovation, and local enterprises. To unleash this, we must tackle the everyday challenges that entrepreneurs face: access to affordable credit, slow and fragmented regulatory processes, permits and compliance involving layers of bureaucracy, and corruption.

Fourth, we must think geopolitically. Through Global Capability Centre (GCC) policies, States are already attracting multinational companies to set up operations here. We now need to push further: create incentives for global R&D centres to move here, allow them to bring in top international experts under a special visa regime, and ensure Indian professionals can access these cutting-edge ecosystems without leaving home. India can learn from the experience of Israel and Singapore in this area.

For too long, the aspirations of India’s middle class have been outward-looking. If we want to reshape these ambitions, it is not enough that young Indians find themselves unwelcome elsewhere. They must also find a reason to dream here. They need the sidewalks they can walk on, campuses where their ideas can flourish, and entrepreneurial ecosystems that let them fly. Only then will India’s brightest truly choose to stay — not by default, but by conviction.

Aparajita Bharti & Rohit Kumar are the founding partners of The Quantum Hub (Public Policy Firm).