India’s research and development (R&D) sector plays a crucial role in driving innovation and economic growth, yet it faces significant challenges. While the country has made impressive strides in fields like space technology, pharmaceuticals, and information technology, overall investment in R&D remains lower than in many other major economies. This has led to slower progress in scientific research and technological advancements. Improving the state of R&D in India requires increased funding, better infrastructure, and stronger collaboration between academia, industry, and the government. With these efforts, India can unlock its full potential and become a global leader in innovation.
Tags: GS – 3, Science & Technology– Indigenization of Technology– IT & Computers – Space Technology – RoboticsArtificial Intelligence
For Prelims: Indian Space Policy 2023, Chandrayaan-3, National Quantum Mission, PARAM Siddhi-AI, National Supercomputing Mission , IFFCO Nano Urea, GenomeIndia Project, Economic Survey 2023-24.
For Mains: India’s Achievements in Science and Technology. Status of Research and Development in India
Context:
- The introduction of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP), replacing the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) awards, reflects a shift in India’s approach to recognizing scientific achievement.
- While the RVP aims to enhance the prestige of scientific awards and cover various career stages and disciplines, it raises concerns about its impact on addressing broader challenges in India’s research sector.
- Despite efforts to boost recognition, India’s R&D environment still faces significant issues, such as inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, and a need for a more supportive research culture.
India’s Recent Major R&D Achievements in Science and Technology:
- Biotechnology:
- India’s biotechnology sector showcased its capability during the Covid-19 pandemic with the rapid development and production of indigenous vaccines.
- Covaxin, developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR, exemplifies India’s strength in vaccine research and development.
- The country’s large-scale vaccine manufacturing not only supported its domestic vaccination efforts but also contributed to global vaccine supply through initiatives like Vaccine Maitri.
- Renewable Energy:
- India has achieved remarkable progress in renewable energy research, particularly in solar and green hydrogen technologies.
- The country has reached record-low solar power costs and is pioneering floating solar projects, such as the Kayamkulam Floating Solar Power Plant in Kerala.
- These advancements are critical for India’s ambitious renewable energy targets and its goal to become a net-zero emissions country by 2070.
- Agriculture:
- India has advanced agricultural biotechnology to improve crop resilience and productivity.
- The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified varieties of 61 crops.
- These innovations are vital for ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agriculture amidst climate change.
- 5G and 6G Technology:
- India has been actively developing indigenous 5G technology and preparing for 6G.
- The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) has successfully developed and tested a completely indigenous 5G NSA Core.
- The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is implementing the “Digital Communications Innovation Square (DCIS)” Scheme to advance indigenous 5G and emerging technologies.
- Nokia has established a 6G Lab in Bangalore to lead research in next-generation wireless technology.
- Space Exploration:
- India’s space program achieved a historic milestone with Chandrayaan-3‘s successful soft landing on the Moon’s south pole region in August 2023.
- This made India the fourth country to land on the Moon and the first to reach its south pole.
- The mission demonstrated India’s growing capabilities in space exploration, including precision landing technology and lunar rover operations.
- Quantum Technology:
- India has made significant strides in quantum technology research with the establishment of the I-Hub Quantum Technology Foundation (I-Hub QTF) at IISER Pune.
- The National Quantum Mission and other initiatives aim to develop quantum computers, quantum communication systems, and quantum sensors, positioning India as a potential leader in this field.
- Supercomputing:
- India has advanced in supercomputing with the development of PARAM Siddhi-AI, one of the most powerful supercomputers globally.
- This supercomputer supports research in artificial intelligence, scientific simulations, and big data analytics.
- The National Supercomputing Mission has led to the installation of high-performance computing systems across multiple institutions in India.
- Genomics:
- The GenomeIndia Project, launched in 2020, aims to sequence 10,000 Indian genomes to create a reference database for the Indian population.
- This project is critical for personalised medicine and understanding genetic diversity in India.
- Indian researchers contributed significantly to global genome sequencing efforts of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) sequencing thousands of samples.
- Nanotechnology:
- Indian researchers have made notable progress in nanotechnology, including the development of novel nanomaterials.
- For instance, scientists at IIT Madras created a nano-coated magnesium alloy for biodegradable implants, and IFFCO introduced the world’s first Nanofertilizers.
- Another team at IISc Bangalore developed a novel hydrogel for removing microplastics from water.
- Robotics and Automation:
- India has made strides in robotics, especially in healthcare applications.
- Researchers at IIT Madras launched India’s first indigenously developed Polycentric Prosthetic Knee named “Kadam”.
- These innovations highlight India’s growing capabilities in integrating robotics and AI for practical applications.
Why India Still Lags Behind in Research and Development?
- Funding Famine – The Resource Crunch in R&D:
- India’s investment in R&D remains critically low, at just 0.7% of GDP as of 2021, compared to the global average of 1.8% and significantly below countries like Israel (4.9%) and South Korea (4.6%).
- This underinvestment results in fewer grants, outdated equipment, and limited resources for researchers.
- The private sector’s contribution to R&D in India stands at about 37% of total expenditure, while globally, businesses contribute over 65%.
- Brain Drain:
- India faces a substantial brain drain, with many top researchers and scientists moving abroad for better opportunities.
- A report by the Centre for Security and Emerging Technology indicated that about 87% of Indian STEM PhD graduates from the US between 2000 and 2015 remain there.
- This exodus deprives India of its brightest minds and hampers the growth of its domestic research ecosystem due to inadequate salaries, research funding, and infrastructure.
- Bureaucratic Bottlenecks – Red Tape Strangling Innovation:
- Bureaucratic inefficiencies in India hinder research progress through complex procurement processes, delayed fund releases, and excessive paperwork.
- For instance, importing specialised scientific equipment takes 6-12 months in India, compared to 1-2 months in many developed nations.
- Disconnected Curricula and Industry Needs:
- India’s education system often fails to nurture research skills and an innovation mindset early on.
- According to the Economic Survey 2023-24, about half of graduates are not employable directly after college.
- The gap between academic curricula and industry needs results in a shortage of skilled researchers and emphasises rote learning over critical thinking.
- Publish or Perish – Quantity Over Quality in Research Output:
- India is the world’s third-largest producer of research papers but ranks 153rd in citations per paper.
- This disparity highlights concerns about the quality of research output despite high publication rates.
- Gender Gap in STEM:
- India faces significant gender disparity in STEM fields, with only 35% of STEM students in higher education being women.
- This underrepresentation, especially in leadership roles, limits diverse perspectives and underutilised potential talent.
- Intellectual Property Conundrum:
- India’s performance in intellectual property creation is subpar compared to its research output.
- In 2020-2021, India filed 58,503 patent applications, much fewer than China or the US, and the patent grant rate is lower compared to countries like Japan and the US.
- This low patent output reflects gaps in applied research and missed commercialization opportunities.
- Interdisciplinary Divide:
- Indian research often suffers from a lack of interdisciplinary collaboration, limiting innovation in emerging fields like AI, biotechnology, and nanotechnology.
- The silo mentality within research institutions hampers the integration of multiple disciplines, impacting fields like bioinformatics where stronger interdisciplinary efforts are needed.
Measures to Enhance India’s R&D Capabilities:
- Fund to Flourish:
- Increase Public R&D Spending: Raise public R&D investment from the current 0.7% to at least 2% of GDP.
- Tax Incentives: Offer tax deductions for private companies investing in R&D.
- National Research Foundation: Establish a foundation to fund high-risk, high-reward projects.
- Sovereign Innovation Fund: Create a fund to support startups and research-intensive SMEs.
- Brain Gain Initiative:
- Reverse Brain Drain Program: Attract Indian scientists abroad by offering competitive salaries and research grants.
- Flexi-Return Policy: Allow researchers to split time between Indian and foreign institutions.
- Global Indian Scientist Network: Facilitate collaborations and knowledge transfer.
- Industry-Academia Bridge:
- CSR Fund Allocation: Mandate that 2% of CSR funds be allocated to joint research projects with academic institutions.
- Innovation Clusters: Establish sector-specific clusters bringing together industry, academia, and startups.
- Researcher-in-Residence Program: Facilitate faculty exchanges between industry and academic institutions.
- National Portal: Create a portal for industry to post research problems and academia to offer solutions.
- Quality Quest:
- National Research Integrity Office: Monitor and promote ethical research practices.
- Tiered Journal Ranking System: Incentivize publication in high-impact journals.
- Research Methodology Courses: Mandate courses on research methodology and scientific writing for all PhD students.
- National Mentorship Program: Pair early-career researchers with eminent scientists.
- STEM for All:
- Women in STEM Scholarships: Launch scholarships to support women in STEM fields.
- Gender-Sensitive Policies: Implement policies like extended maternity leave and childcare support in research institutions.
- Reserved Research Positions: Create positions specifically for women scientists.
- STEM Outreach Centers: Establish outreach centers in rural and semi-urban areas.
- Innovation Incubators:
- Technology Business Incubators: Set up incubators in universities with a focus on deep-tech startups.
- Lab to Market Grants: Fund the commercialization of research outcomes.
- National IP Bank: Facilitate easier licensing of patents to industry.
- Innovation Challenge Series: Launch competitions with substantial prizes for solving key national problems.
- Global Research Connect:
- Joint Research Centers: Establish centers with top global universities in areas like AI, quantum computing, and biotechnology.
- International Research Fellowship Program: Fund Indian researchers for overseas projects.
- Global Science Diplomacy Initiative: Forge research partnerships aligned with foreign policy objectives.
- Fast-Track Visas: Implement fast-track visas for international researchers coming to India.
- Upgrading Research Infrastructure:
- Research Infrastructure Modernization Program: Launch a program to modernise research facilities.
- National Research Facilities: Establish facilities in areas like particle physics, gene editing, and advanced materials.
- Research Cloud Computing Platform: Create a national platform accessible to all accredited researchers.
- Shared Equipment Program: Optimise the utilisation of high-end scientific instruments.
- Interdisciplinary Nexus:
- Centers of Interdisciplinary Research Excellence: Focus on complex national challenges.
- Discipline Hopping Fellowship: Enable researchers to work in fields outside their primary expertise.
- Interdisciplinary PhD Programs: Combine STEM with humanities and social sciences.
- Convergence Research Grant Program: Support projects spanning multiple disciplines.
Conclusion:
Enhancing India’s R&D capabilities requires a multifaceted approach, including increasing funding, attracting global talent, bridging industry and academia, improving research quality, and fostering diversity. By addressing these areas, India can strengthen its research infrastructure, drive innovation, and improve global competitiveness, ensuring a robust and dynamic scientific ecosystem that meets national and international challenges effectively.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims:
Q.1 Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding National Innovation Foundation-India (NIF)? (2015)
- NIF is an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology under the Central Government.
- NIF is an initiative to strengthen the highly advanced scientific research in India’s premier scientific institutions in collaboration with highly advanced foreign scientific institutions.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (a)
Q.2 For outstanding contribution to which one of the following fields is Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize given? (2009)
- Literature
- Performing Arts
- Science
- Social Service
Ans: (c)
Q.3 Atal Innovation Mission is set up under the (2019)
- Department of Science and Technology
- Ministry of Labour and Employment
- NITI Aayog
- Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Ans: (c)
Source: TH
FAQs
Q: What is the current state of research and development (R&D) in India?
Answer: The state of R&D in India is growing but still faces challenges. India has made significant strides in fields like space, pharmaceuticals, and information technology. However, overall investment in R&D remains lower compared to other major economies, and there’s a need for more focus on innovation and basic research.
Q: Why is R&D important for India?
Answer: R&D is crucial for India’s progress because it drives innovation, economic growth, and technological advancements. It helps solve local problems, creates jobs, and makes the country more competitive globally. Without strong R&D, India may struggle to keep up with rapidly changing global markets and technologies.
Q: What challenges does India face in R&D?
Answer: India faces several challenges in R&D, including limited funding, a lack of infrastructure, and a need for more skilled researchers. There’s also a gap between research institutions and industries, meaning that innovations often don’t reach the market. Additionally, bureaucratic hurdles can slow down the progress of research projects.
Q: What steps is the Indian government taking to improve R&D?
Answer: The Indian government is taking steps to boost R&D by increasing funding, promoting public-private partnerships, and encouraging startups. Initiatives like the “Make in India” campaign and the National Innovation Foundation aim to foster a culture of innovation. The government is also focusing on improving education and training to build a skilled workforce.
Q: How can the state of R&D in India be improved?
Answer: To improve R&D, India needs to increase its investment in research, build better infrastructure, and strengthen the link between academia and industry. Encouraging collaboration between universities, research institutions, and businesses can help turn ideas into real-world applications. Additionally, simplifying regulations and offering incentives for innovation can further accelerate R&D progress.
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