‘Funding crunch is disrupting research’

‘Funding crunch is disrupting research’

News-

1. An editorial published is the ‘Proceedings of the Indian National Academy of Sciences’ highlights the issue of poor funding in R&D.

Important Facts-

2. Issues:

• Funding for science has remained static at about 0.7% of the GDP for last 20 years.
• Untimely release of funds disrupts research work.
• There has been overemphasis on translational research and basic research has been neglected.
• Fund crunch has also been responsible for low morale among researchers.

3. Contrasting News:

According to Secretary of Department of science & Technology (DST):

• Funding for science has doubled in 2017-18 when compared to 2014-15.
• Funding has increased by 65% for Department of Biotechnology, 45% for Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and 90% for DST.