Macro Level Variations in Employment Patterns of Indian Scientists—Some Social Psychological Interpretations

Abstract

The paper analyses the macro level data collected by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research along with census data in 1981 on the employment status of scientists in four fields of specialisation, namely, Agricultural Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Sciences and Medicine, with the objective of comparing their socio-psychological experiences. The employment status of scientists was analysed in terms of the field of specialisation, level of educational qualifications, sex, income, sector of employment, nature of work and length of experience. Percentages and rank order correlations were computed. The employment status of scientists was found to vary in terms of the field of specialisation. College graduates constituted the largest percentage of employed, unemployed, studentsltraineesl apprentices. Doctoral degree holders constituted a tiny fraction and most of them were employed for wages. In all categories of employed, percentages of females were much lower than that of males. The public sector was the largest employer. The private sector was limited in its scope and activities. Salary differentials were not significant between the two sectors. Males did not express different preferences of job types than females. Wage employed and self-employed were comparable in age and experience but differed in terms of the field of specialisation. Sex, length of experience and the field of specialisation had interactive effects on the employment status. Results were discussed and implications drawn for manpower development and employment policies.

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