How India’s government is shifting science research towards market-driven goals

Source: The post how India’s government is shifting science research towards market-driven goals has been created, based on the article “Hints of the corporatisation of science research in India” published in “The Hindu” on 14th August 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Science and Technology

Context: The article discusses how India’s government is shifting science research towards market-driven goals, reducing public funding, and increasing private sector involvement. It warns this could harm curiosity-driven research and academic freedom, risking long-term scientific progress.

For detailed information on Research and Development in India read this article here

What is the government’s approach to science in India?

1. The Indian government promotes a policy of “innovate, patent, produce, prosper” to guide scientific research. This approach encourages research institutions to generate revenue by marketing their expertise and developing marketable technologies.
2. The ‘Dehradun Declaration’ of 2015 set the foundation for this policy, urging research centers to self-finance through patenting and commercialization. This marked the beginning of the corporatization of science research in India.

How Does This Compare with Global Trends?

1. In the U.S., private funding for research is common in sectors like IT and pharmaceuticals. Private funding focuses on research that quickly leads to profitable products.
2. India invests about 0.6% to 0.7% of its GDP in public science research, significantly less than countries like South Korea, which spends 2% to 3% of its GDP.

What is the Role of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)?

1. Established under the 2023 ANRF Act, ANRF aims to enhance collaboration between research, academia, and industry.
2. It funds research with a focus on market-oriented projects, emphasizing prototype development.
3. ANRF has a budget of ₹50,000 crore over five years, with 72% expected from private sector contributions.
4. The foundation reflects the government’s shift towards reducing public funding and increasing private sector involvement in research.
5. ANRF’s focus on market-driven research aligns with the government’s goal to make research institutes more self-sustaining through commercialization.

What are the concerns about this policy?

1. The emphasis on market-driven research risks undermining basic science, which relies on curiosity and exploration without immediate commercial benefits.
2. Reduced public funding for basic science can weaken academic freedom and the autonomy of research institutes.

For detailed information on Science and Technology Initiatives in the Budget read this article here

Question for practice:

Examine how the Indian government’s shift towards market-driven goals in scientific research.