Professor Anant Sudarshan of the University of Warwick has criticized the UK's academic salaries, describing them as uncompetitive and a factor driving top talent away. Sharing his views on X (formerly Twitter), Sudarshan pointed out that low wages, especially for contractual staff, are making UK academia less appealing compared to institutions in India.

Sudarshan disclosed difficulties in recruiting eligible candidates for the UK’s high-potential visa program, as salaries are often lower than those offered by Indian universities. "A government university in India is willing to pay slightly more in absolute terms," he stated, despite the UK's relative advantage in purchasing power parity (PPP).

He warned that while the UK still holds general appeal, it is becoming less attractive for the world's top academic talent. Contractual teaching positions in the UK offer around £30,000 ($31,204) annually, which, when adjusted for PPP, falls below the income of certain short-term project roles in India.

The remarks sparked criticism, with some accusing Sudarshan of favoring international hires over domestic candidates and questioning his loyalty to UK academia. In response, he clarified that his concerns were about low salaries across the board, not related to nationality or origin.

The discussion has intensified scrutiny of UK academia. One commenter questioned why anyone would choose the UK over the US, Australia, Europe, or India, highlighting challenges like inadequate pay, safety concerns, and declining quality of life.