India's defence laboratories are witnessing a 'reverse brain drain' with qualified India-born professionals in the US vying to join the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to work on cutting edge technologies.

"This trend has been seen in the last two years. About 10 people from the US have been joining DRDO each year and the trend is growing," DRDO Chief Controller (R&D) Dr W Selvamurthy told reporters in Bangalore on Thursday.

He said India-born professionals in the US were 'convinced' that they could take up research in areas like Nanotechnology, Biotechnology and Information Technology.

"We may have selected about 10 people each year but only after screening several applicants. DRDO has an ad-hoc scheme where we hire NRIs within three months of them applying for jobs," Selvamurthy said adding that besides returning home, the professionals are also looking at giving something back to the country.

DRDO employs about 30,000 people in 52 installations, including 7,000 scientists and 11,000 technical personnel. It has undertaken various human resource initiatives in the 10th five-year plan to attract the best talent and maintain the level of 7,200 scientists.

Last year, it hired 858 people, including from campuses and candidates who passed the Scientists Entry Test (SET exam).

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