Bangalore, June 7 Global recession has prevented a lot of DRDO scientists and engineers, who were otherwise drawn to lucrative prospects in abroad, from leaving their present jobs at the premier research and development organization of the country.

According to senior most officials of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the organisation's scientists and engineers have been put on new projects.

"There is one benefit. Our young scientists who earlier used to quit DRDO to take up job opportunities abroad are now staying back. This is beneficial for us. We have put them on new projects," said Dr. Prahlada, Chief Controller of the Research and Development (Aerospace), DRDO.

DRDO recruits at least 600 scientists every year. Until early last year, scientists after few years of experience used to go abroad to join private research centres for lucrative salaries and other attractive perquisites.

Following global downturn, many scientists and engineers are unsure of their fate in foreign countries and thus preferring to stay back in India.

Earlier, in DRDO, despite a contractual bond, the drop rate of scientists in the middle level ranged from 17 to 20 percent. (ANI)