UNESCO Science Report Finds India’s investment in Research Unsatisfactory

What is the News? The UNESCO Science Report(USR) has been released.

About UNESCO Science Report(USR):

• UNESCO Science Report is a global monitoring report. It is published every five years by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization(UNESCO).
• Objective: The report monitors trends in science governance worldwide to identify which development path countries are following.
• Latest Report: The latest edition was published with the title ‘The race against time for smarter development’. The report has an exclusive chapter on India.

UNESCO Science Report(USR) on India:

 India’s Investment in Research:

• India’s investment in research and development(R&D) remains unsatisfactory.
• The gross domestic expenditure on research(GERD) has been stagnant at 0.7% of the GDP for years. However, in absolute terms, the research expenditure has increased.
• India also has one of the lowest GERD/GDP ratios among the BRICS nations.
• Target: The Science and Technology Policy of 2003 fixed the threshold of devoting 2% of GDP to research and development (R&D) by 2007.
  • However, the target has not been achieved and is being extended again and again.

Density of Scientists and Engineers:

• In 1990, the density of scientists/engineers engaged in R&D in India per 10,000 of the labour force stood at 10.
• This has now marginally increased to just 11 in 2018. This is too low when compared to 50 in China, 130 in Japan, and 180 in South Korea.

R&D by Government and Private Sector:

• Research and Development(R&D) in the government sector has been declining steadily since 2015.
• On the other hand, the share of private business enterprises in R&D has increased to 42%.
• Moreover, investment in R&D by foreign multinationals is on the rise. Ir accounts for as much as 16% of private-sector investment in R&D in 2019.

Scientific Publications:

• There has been an increase in scientific publications by Indian researchers on cutting-edge technologies. Total publications have risen from 80,458 in 2011 to 1.61 lakh in 2019.
• However, patenting by domestic corporations, research institutes, universities, and individuals remain low in India.

Recommendations:

• The report underscores the need for ‘policy bridges’ for developing a more effective interaction between foreign and local research firms.
• The report has also called for improved linkages between the start-up ecosystem and manufacturers. It will push technological development in sectors where India enjoys a global presence.

Source: The Hindu