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Source: The post is based on the article “On path of science” published in the Business Standard on 13th August 2022.
Syllabus: GS 3 – Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Relevance: About India’s 75 years of scientific advancements.
News: As the country celebrates 75 years of Independence, it’s time to introspect India’s scientific advancements and their benefit to the common people.
About India’s 75 years of scientific advancements
Since 1947, the country has emerged as a global power in space technology, nuclear power, and many other fields.
India’s probes to the moon and Mars, nuclear weapons, and strategic missile systems are praiseworthy achievements.
Along with that India also achieved self-sufficiency in foodgrain, medicines, and vaccines, and exemplary developments in communications and information technology.
Innovation: In the latest Global Innovation Index 2021, India ranked 46 among 132 countries, two notches above its 2020 position. India overperformed on innovation relative to its level of development for the 11th year in a row.
Agriculture: In 2021-22, India’s farm exports touched a record $50.21 billion. The country is among the 15 leading exporters of agricultural products.
“pharmacy of the world”: Local firms supply affordable drugs and vaccines to not only developing but also developed countries.
India’s successful vaccination drives – from against smallpox, to polio, and now Covid, besides the ongoing Mission Indradhanush – are prime examples of Indians’ trust in modern sciences.
IT industry and telecom revolution: Services firms in India, according to reports, are targeting record $350-billion exports in the current financial year, up 37%, year-on-year, despite global headwinds.
| Read more: SERB-SURE scheme launched to augment research capabilities in state universities and colleges |
How did India achieve these 75 years of scientific advancements?
Planning Commission: The Planning Commission was set up in 1950 and the first plan draft, presented in July 1951, included a chapter on “Scientific and Industrial Research”;
The chapter recognised 11 research institutes at the national level in a bid to lay the foundation of scientific research in the country.
Scientific Policy Resolution, 1958: It is India’s first major science policy. The plan realised “it is only through the scientific approach and method and the use of scientific knowledge that reasonable material and cultural amenities and services can be provided for every member of the community”.
Green Revolution: It was based on 1958 policy. After two successive years of drought, India was dependent on wheat imports and stared at yet another famine. The scenario drastically improved after M S Swaminathan – the father of the Indian Green Revolution – started to teach farmers to effectively increase yield with the help of high-yielding wheat and rice varieties, fertilisers, and advanced farming techniques.
IT and Telecom policy: India allowed domestic software firms to become globally competitive in the 1990s. This is the foundation of Digital India and associated socio-economic development.
| Read more: DRDO successfully test fires indigenously developed laser-guided ATGMs |
What should be done to improve 75 years of scientific advancements further?
Invest in R&D: According to a study by the NITI Aayog and the Institute for Competitiveness, India has among the lowest research and development (R&D) expenditures. Its R&D spending has decreased from 0.8% of GDP in 2008-09 to 0.7% in 2017-18.
Hence, India needs further investment and technological development to fulfil its missions like National Hydrogen Mission.
