Meritocracy, in practice, means the selection of the “best and the brightest” for positions of power and authority, and is usually supposed to be independent of age. The antonyms for meritocracy are nepotism, favoritism, preferential treatment and privilege. The opportunities for leading medical institutions in India are usually given to individuals based on considerations other than their personal merit. In India, “age” is usually synonymous with “wisdom”. Unfortunately, while experience and performance are important, nothing can really ensure that age will necessarily endow anyone with the skills required of becoming more productive or efficient to propel the country forward in a fast moving field of modern medical research.

doi : 10.5214/ans.0972.7531.2009.160202