India’s Achievements in Research Output

Source: The post India’s achievements in research output has been created, based on the article “India’s R&D funding, breaking down the numbers”published in “The Hindu” on 14th March 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- Science and technology-indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Indian economy- Government budgeting.

Context: The article discusses India’s commitment to research and development (R&D). It mentions a new government fund for innovation, compares India’s R&D spending with other countries. India’s Achievements in Research Output

What is the New Funding for Research and Development in India?

New Funding Announcement: The Indian government announced a corpus of ₹1 lakh crore in the 2024-25 interim Budget.

Purpose: This fund is aimed at bolstering the research and innovation ecosystem within India.

Slogan Change: Reflecting this focus, the government rebranded the slogan to ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan’.

Significance: It underscores the importance of research and innovation in development, technological advancement, and global competitiveness.

Background Data: India’s R&D expenditure increased from ₹6,01,968 million in 2010-11 to ₹12,73,810 million in 2020-21.

Comparative Perspective: Despite growth, India’s R&D spending as a percentage of GDP (0.64%) is lower than major economies like China, Germany, and the USA.

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What are India’s Achievements in Research Output?

PhDs Produced: India annually awards 40,813 PhDs, ranking third globally, after the United States and China.

Publication Count: In research publications, India also holds the third position globally, with over 300,000 publications in 2022.

Global Patent Grants: India secured the sixth position worldwide in patent grants, with 30,490 patents granted in 2022.

Intellectual Capital: This reflects India’s focus on fostering intellectual capital and its significant contribution to global research.

Research Ecosystem: These achievements highlight the strength and potential of India’s research ecosystem in various fields, despite lower R&D spending compared to some other countries.

What are the New Initiatives to Boost R&D in India?

National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP): Aims to promote technological progress and innovation, especially in private sector engagement.

Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Act: Enacted to catalyze research and innovation, focusing on development. The Act is designed to bridge India’s R&D investment gap and nurture a robust research culture within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

Challenges Addressed: The initiatives target equitable fund distribution, interdisciplinary collaborations, and maintaining global standards.

Strategy: These policies are intended to elevate R&D spending, guide research and innovation, and encourage private sector involvement, particularly in burgeoning industries.

Question for practice:

Examine the key initiatives and funding allocations aimed at boosting research and development (R&D) in India.