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11th September 2024 (9 Topics)

Research Ecosystem in India

Context

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there is a need to identify and remove obstacles in the research ecosystem of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while chairing the first meeting of the governing board of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). He further emphasised that research should be focussed on finding new solutions to existing problems and although these concerns could be global in nature, their solutions must be localised in accordance with Indian needs.

Need of strong research ecosystem

The significance of research and innovation cannot be overstated in fuelling:  Economic growth; Technological advancement and Global competitiveness. However, the ecosystem is suffering from various challenges/issues:

  • Low Funding: R&D funding in India is less than 1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is relatively low compared to global standards.
  • As per data from the National Science Foundation USA,
    • India’s spending on research and development is among the lowest in the world. In 2022, India spent 0.65% of GDP on R&D, which is lower than the BRICS nations and much lower than the world average of 1.8%. 
    • India ranks 3rd in the world for both scientific publications as well as for the number of PhD students.
    • India ranks 9th in citations, 6th in patent filings and 40th for innovation, which is a matter of concern.
    • India has one of the lowest Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) in the world, with only USD 43 per capita, according to the NITI Aayog’s India Innovation Index Report 2021.
  • Gap: India has over 4.3 crore students spread across 1,168 universities and 45,473 colleges. Centrally funded institutions like IITs and IIMs, though prestigious, enroll less than 1 per cent of the total student population.
  • Lack of Provisions: There are insufficient additional provisions for R&D in emerging sectors, hindering innovation in sunrise industries.
  • High Dependence on Grants: Many universities rely heavily on extramural support from agencies like the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). This dependency often compromises the quality of doctoral research due to fluctuating funding levels and reduced autonomy.
  • Brain Drain: A significant outflow of top talent to foreign countries results in a shortage of skilled professionals within India’s R&D sector, affecting the country's innovative capacity.
  • IPR Violation: Poor enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) discourages foreign investment in R&D, as investors are concerned about the safety and return on their innovations.
  • Outdated Curriculum and Pedagogy: Many universities continue to use outdated curricula centered around rote learning and job-oriented skills, which limits the effective utilization of research grants and the development of innovative capabilities.
  • Poor Private Sector Participation: Private sector contributions to R&D account for only 37% of total R&D expenditure in India, significantly below the 68% average in developed countries, resulting in underfunded and less dynamic research efforts.

Steps Taken by the Government to Boost Research and Development (R&D)

  • Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) was established to promote research and development and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s Universities, Colleges, Research Institutions, and R&D laboratories.
    • It acts as an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country.
    • The ANRF will launch programmes on solution-focussed research in mission mode in select priority areas like Electric Vehicle (EV) mobility, Advanced Materials, Solar Cells, Smart Infrastructure, Health & Medical Technology and Sustainable Agriculture and Photonics.
    • It has been decided to set up Centers of Excellence to support interdisciplinary research in humanities and social sciences.
    • The idea is inspired by the US National Science Foundation (NSF).
    • The decision to bring ANRF into action aligns well with the goals outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasised the need to make India a knowledge-based economy.
    • ANRF aims to consolidate research funding previously managed by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).
    • Structure and Leadership:
      • Governing Board (15 members): Headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as President, with Ministers of Science & Technology and Education as Vice Presidents. Includes Secretaries from key departments and advisors.
      • Executive Council: Chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser, consisting of Secretaries from various ministries and CEOs.
  • IMPRINT Initiative: The IMPacting Research, INnovation, and Technology (IMPRINT) scheme was launched in 2015 as a joint effort of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
    • It seeks to address critical engineering challenges by converting research into practical technologies in ten specific domains, thus bridging the gap between academia and industry.
  • National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP): This policy holds the potential to incentivise private sector engagement in India’s R&D ecosystem. 
  • Atal Tinkering Labs: Under the Atal Innovation Mission, this initiative by NITI Aayog aims to nurture young minds' curiosity and creativity.
    • The labs focus on imparting skills like design thinking, computational skills, and adaptive learning to students, fostering an innovative mindset from an early age.
  • IPR Laws and TRIPS Agreement: India adheres to the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), which establishes a comprehensive framework for intellectual property protection.
    • Domestic Legislation: The enactment of domestic IPR laws aims to promote innovation and safeguard intellectual property by addressing violations and fostering a robust IP environment.

Despite the comparatively lower share of GDP dedicated to R&D, India has emerged as a powerhouse in producing academic talent. Annually, India generates an impressive 40,813 PhDs and is in third place after the United States and China. 

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