If DRDO wants to attract and retain the best engineering talent, it needs to offer more competitive salaries.
Students spend 3–4 years in college studying, building projects, preparing for GATE, and developing specialized skills. The reality is that many of the same candidates can earn significantly more in private tech and engineering companies.
Patriotism and the desire to serve the country are important, but career decisions are also financial decisions. When the pay gap becomes too large, talented graduates are naturally pulled toward opportunities that reward their skills better.
If India wants the very best minds working on critical defense technologies, compensation has to be part of the conversation.