A new Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy (STIP) was launched at the crucial point in mid-2020 as India and the globe realign in the context of the COVID-19 crisis.
By creating a nurturing environment that encourages research and innovation on the parts of both individuals and organizations, the new Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy seeks to achieve significant improvements through short-, medium-, and long-term mission mode initiatives.
The strategy seeks to make the Indian STI ecosystem competitive on a global scale by identifying and addressing the ecosystem’s strengths and limitations in order to promote socioeconomic growth in the nation.
The six-month STIP 2020 formulation process has been divided into 4 strongly connected tracks:
Track I: It entails a protracted process of public and expert consultation via Science Policy Forum, a platform specifically designed for collecting feedback from wider public and expert pools both during and after the policy-drafting process.
Track II: It consists of expert-led, topical discussions that provide the policy formulation process with evidence-based suggestions. For this, 21 specific theme groupings have been formed.
Track III: It calls for in-depth departmental and state-level interaction with Ministries and States.
Track IV: It is a multi-stakeholder dialogue at the highest level.
STI Policy: History
- Scientific Policy Resolution 1958: The first significant scientific policy in India may be found in that year. SPR 1958 served as the cornerstone for India’s scientific endeavors and mindset.
- Technology Policy Statement 1983: Technology self-reliance via the support and advancement of indigenous technology was the main component of TPS 1983. The use of indigenous technology will increase the utilization of regional (human and material) resources while reducing vulnerabilities in key areas.
- Science and Technology Policy 2003: Its main objectives were to achieve fair and sustainable development as well as to stay competitive in a world that is becoming more globalised. In order to increase investment to 2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it advocated for significant investment in the research and development industry.
- Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy 2013: The 2010–2020 decade has been designated as an innovation decade. It was accepted that a change to a knowledge-based economy was required to maintain global competitiveness. This policy statement was an important first step in creating a strong national innovation ecosystem.
STI Policy: Challenges
- Limited Funding: Any policy needs adequate funding for the implementation of it. So allocating funds can be challenge especially in a country like India which is still developing.
- Regulation and Policy Frameworks: It can be difficult to create regulations and policies that strike a balance between innovation and the needs of the general population. Careful analysis and stakeholder involvement are necessary to strike the ideal balance between fostering innovation and defending public safety, consumer rights, and ethical issues. It can be difficult to navigate legal and regulatory obstacles, ensure compliance, and adjust to changing technology.
- Management of Intellectual Property: Promoting innovation and luring investment need the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR). IPR management and enforcement, however, can be challenging, particularly in new industries with nascent legislation.
- Monitoring and evaluation: To evaluate the efficacy and efficiency of STIP projects, it is essential to develop relevant metrics, indicators, and assessment frameworks. Evaluating the results and effects of technological advancements, innovations, and legislation may be difficult.
STI Policy: Way ahead
The first meeting of the National Advisory Committee of the National Initiative on Science, Technology and Innovation Statistics (NISTIS) discussed the way forward for the initiative.
- The STI will bring about magnificent improvements in every aspect of life through a variety of new items for everyday use, quick communication technology, quick transportation, a variety of medications, medical devices, machinery, and services, meteorological services, and modernized seeds generated through scientific research.
- In the future, we must improve agricultural production, biodegradable/recyclable product manufacture, green and clean processes, and other functionally enhanced systems.
- The standard of life and economic circumstances will significantly improve as a result of scientific advancements, technical advances, and rising technology development. The expanding economy is greatly impacted by building up a large pool of human resources with scientific and technological expertise.
- Promoting STI and exceptional contributions to scientific advancement, cutting-edge technology, and game-changing innovations in a number of fields, including healthcare, industrial development, nuclear research, military empowerment, and energy, would assist in achieving the millennium development goals in the new global order.
