India’s Next-Gen Scientists: What Drives Their Curiosity?

India is witnessing a quiet but powerful shift — a surge of young minds choosing labs over lecture halls, research over routine careers, and curiosity over comfort. These next-gen scientists are stepping into fields as diverse as medical devices, nanotechnology, biosensors, and personalised medicine. But what truly drives their curiosity? What keeps them going through long experiments, failed trials, and the demanding pace of modern research?

A Hunger to Solve Real Problems

Today’s young researchers aren’t just fascinated by formulas; they are motivated by impact. Whether it’s developing affordable diagnostic tools, designing sustainable materials, or innovating in biotechnology, students want their work to matter.

Pankaj, a PhD scholar at NIPER-Ahmedabad and Apeejay Stya University alumni, reflects this sentiment clearly, “My research focuses on creating a cost-effective biosensor for early oral cancer detection. The idea that our work could help society is what keeps us going.”

For many, curiosity begins with a simple question — How can science improve everyday life?

Exposure That Sparks Exploration

Behind every curious researcher is a formative moment: a practical class that suddenly clicks, an industrial visit that opens a new world, or a lab demonstration that turns into a lifelong interest.

Visits to pharmaceutical companies, research institutes, and manufacturing plants give students a first-hand look into how theories become solutions. These experiences help young scientists connect dots between classroom learning and real-world challenges.

Mentors Who Fan the Flame

Great curiosity often grows under great guidance. Faculty members who encourage questions, challenge assumptions, and push students to think beyond textbooks play a key role in shaping future researchers.

Pankaj recalls how his teachers constantly motivated students to pursue higher studies, “From day one, our faculty reminded us that research is about asking why — and never stopping at the first answer.”

Such mentorship builds confidence and opens pathways students never imagined for themselves.

The Thrill of Hands-On Learning

Modern science education is moving beyond chalkboards. For many students, curiosity takes root when they first handle lab instruments, perform experiments, or troubleshoot a failed trial.

Whether it’s operating a tablet compression machine, testing dissolution apparatus, or running electrochemical studies, hands-on practice fuels a student’s desire to explore deeper. Once they realise science isn’t just about reading — it’s about doing — curiosity becomes a habit.