India’s Research and Development Landscape

This editorial is based on “Perfunctory panacea: On the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar” which was published in
The Hindu on 12/08/2024. The article highlights the revamp of India's scientific awards, introducing the
Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) to replace the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards, while emphasizing that
enhancing funding and support for researchers is crucial for advancing science beyond mere recognition.

For Prelims: Covaxin, Vaccine Maitri, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Centre for Development of
Telematics, 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

The recent announcement of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) marks a significant shift in India's
approach to recognizing scientific excellence. Replacing the long-standing Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB)
awards, the RVP introduces a new framework for honoring scientists across various career stages and
disciplines. While this change aims to streamline and elevate the stature of scientific awards in India,
it also raises questions about the effectiveness of such recognition in addressing the fundamental
challenges faced by the country's research community.

Despite the government's efforts to boost scientific recognition, India's R&D landscape continues to
grapple with significant hurdles. The focus on awards and honors may be overshadowing the pressing
need for increased budgetary allocations, improved research infrastructure, and a more
conducive environment for scientific inquiry. As India aspires to compete on the global stage of
scientific innovation, it becomes crucial to address these underlying issues that hinder the progress of its
research ecosystem.

What are India's Recent Major R&D Achievements in Science and Technology?

Biotechnology: India's biotechnology sector demonstrated its prowess during the Covid-19
pandemic with the rapid development and production of indigenous vaccines.
Covaxin, developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR, showcased India's
capability in vaccine research and development.
The country's ability to manufacture vaccines at scale not only supported its own
vaccination drive but also contributed to global vaccine supply through initiatives like
Vaccine Maitri.
Renewable Energy: India has made remarkable progress in renewable energy research,
particularly in solar and green hydrogen technologies.
The country has achieved record-low solar power costs and is pioneering floating
solar projects like Kayamkulam Floating Solar Power Plant, Kerala.
 These advancements are crucial for India's ambitious renewable energy targets and its
goal of becoming a net-zero emissions country by 2070.
Agriculture: India has been making strides in agricultural biotechnology to enhance crop
resilience and productivity.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research has developed 109 high-yielding, climate-
resilient and biofortified varieties of 61 crops.
These innovations are crucial for ensuring food security and sustainable agriculture in the
face of climate change.
5G and 6G Technology: India has been actively working on 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 by translating research into practical technology.
Nokia established a 6G Lab at its Bangalore center to spearhead research in next-
generation wireless technology.
These efforts aim to position India as a leader in telecommunications technology and
reduce dependence on foreign vendors.
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 achieve a lunar landing and the first to reach the
Moon's south pole.
The mission demonstrated India's growing capabilities in space exploration, including
precision landing technology and lunar rover operations.
It also paved the way for future lunar exploration and potential resource utilization
missions.
Indian Space Policy 2023 and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-
SPACe) is a significant step in this direction.
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 cutting-edge field.
Supercomputing: India has made significant strides in supercomputing with the development of
PARAM Siddhi-AI, one of the most powerful supercomputers in the world.
It's being used for advanced research in artificial intelligence, scientific simulations, and big
data analytics.
The National Supercomputing Mission has also led to the installation of high-performance
computing systems in multiple institutions across the country, boosting research
capabilities in various fields.
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 crucial for personalized medicine and understanding genetic diversity in
India.
Indian researchers actively contributed to global efforts in genome sequencing of the SARS-
CoV-2 virus, helping track mutations and variants.
The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) played a key role in this
effort, sequencing thousands of samples by mid-2021.
Nanotechnology: Indian researchers have made significant progress in nanotechnology,
particularly in developing novel nanomaterials.
For instance, scientists at IIT Madras developed a nano-coated magnesium alloy that
can be used for biodegradable implants, potentially revolutionizing orthopedic treatments.
IFFCO Nano Urea (liquid) is the world's first Nanofertilizers which has been notified by
Fertilizer Control Order (FCO, 1985), Government of India.
Another team at IISc Bangalore designed a novel hydrogel to remove microplastics from
water.
Robotics and Automation: India has made significant progress in robotics, particularly in
healthcare applications.
 For instance, researchers at IIT Madras have launched India's first indigenously developed
Polycentric Prosthetic Knee called "Kadam”.
These innovations demonstrate India's growing capabilities in integrating robotics and AI
for practical applications.

Why India Still Lags Behind Research and Developments?

Funding Famine- The Resource Crunch in R&D: India's investment in R&D remains critically
low compared to glob al standards.
As of 2021, India spent just 0.7% of its GDP on R&D, significantly below the global
average of 1.8% and far behind countries like Israel (4.9%) and South Korea (4.6%).
This underinvestment translates to fewer grants, outdated equipment, and limited
resources for researchers.
The private sector's contribution to R&D in India is also low at about 37% of total R&D
expenditure, in contrast to the global trend, where business enterprises typically
contribute over 65% of R&D.
Brain Drain: India continues to face a significant brain drain, with many top researchers and
scientists leaving for better opportunities abroad.
A report by US-based think tank Centre for Security and Emerging Technology stated that
approximately 87% of Indian nationals who completed STEM PhD programmes in the
US between 2000 and 2015 were still living in the country
This exodus deprives India of its brightest minds, hindering the growth of a robust domestic
research ecosystem.
The lack of competitive salaries, limited research funding, and inadequate
infrastructure at home contribute to this ongoing challenge.
Bureaucratic Bottlenecks- Red Tape Strangling Innovation: The Indian research landscape
is often mired in bureaucratic processes that slow down progress.
Complex procurement procedures, delayed fund releases, and excessive
paperwork create significant hurdles.
For instance, it takes an average of 6-12 months to import specialized scientific equipment
in India, compared to 1-2 months in many developed countries.
Disconnected Curricula and Industry Needs: India's education system often fails to nurture
research skills and innovation mindset at early stages.
Economic Survey 2023-24 stated that about one in two graduates are not yet readily
employable straight out of college.
The disconnect between academic curricula and industry needs results in a shortage
of skilled researchers.
Moreover, the emphasis on rote learning over critical thinking and problem-solving in
schools hampers the development of research aptitude from an early age.
Publish or Perish-Quantity Over Quality in Research Output: While India's research output
has grown, concerns about quality persist.
India was the world's third-most-prolific publisher of research papers in 2022, but it
was ranked only 153rd for the number of citations it received per paper.
Gender Gap in STEM: India faces a significant gender disparity in scientific research. A study
conducted by UNESCO found that only 35% of STEM students in higher education in India
are women.
This underrepresentation is even more pronounced in leadership positions.
This gender gap not only deprives the field of diverse perspectives but also
represents a massive untapped talent pool that could significantly boost India's research
capabilities.
Intellectual Property Conundrum: India's performance in intellectual property creation remains
subpar compared to its research output.
According to the Indian Patent Office, 58,503 patent applications were filed in India
in 2020–2021, significantly lower than China or the US.
More critically, the patent grant rate in India is much less as compared to countries like
Japan and the US.
This low patent output not only reflects gaps in applied research but also results in missed
economic opportunities from potential commercialization.
Interdisciplinary Divide: Indian research often suffers from a lack of interdisciplinary
 collaboration.
This silo mentality hampers innovation, especially in emerging fields like AI,
biotechnology, and nanotechnology, which require integration of multiple disciplines.
For instance, while India has strong individual departments in computer science and
biology, the field of bioinformatics lags due to limited interdepartmental
collaboration.
This lack of cross-pollination of ideas significantly limits India's ability to tackle complex,
multifaceted research challenges.

What Measures can India take to Enhance its R&D Capabilities?

Fund to Flourish: Increase public R&D spending from the current 0.7% to at least 2% of GDP.
Implement tax incentives for private companies investing in R&D, offering tax deduction on
R&D expenditure.
Create a national research foundation to fund high-risk, high-reward projects.
Establish a sovereign innovation fund to support startups and research-intensive SMEs.
These measures would significantly enhance the financial ecosystem for research and
innovation in India.
Brain Gain Initiative: Launch a "Reverse Brain Drain" program offering competitive salaries
and research grants to attract Indian scientists working abroad.0
Implement a "Flexi-Return" policy allowing researchers to split time between Indian
and foreign institutions.
Establish a "Global Indian Scientist Network" to facilitate collaborations and knowledge
transfer. These steps would help India reclaim its intellectual capital and boost its research
capabilities.
Industry-Academia Bridge: Mandate that 2% of CSR funds be allocated to joint research
projects with academic institutions.
Establish sector-specific "Innovation Clusters" bringing together industry, academia, and
startups.
Implement a "Researcher-in-Residence" program for faculty to work in industry and
vice versa.
Create a national portal for industry to post research problems and academia to offer
solutions. These initiatives would strengthen the industry-academia linkage and drive more
applied research.
Quality Quest: Introduce a national research integrity office to monitor and promote ethical
research practices.
Implement a tiered journal ranking system to incentivize publication in high-impact
journals.
Establish mandatory research methodology and scientific writing courses for all PhD
students.
Create a national mentorship program pairing early-career researchers with eminent
scientists. These steps would help improve the overall quality and impact of Indian
research output.
STEM for All: Launch a "Women in STEM" scholarship program.
Implement gender-sensitive policies including extended maternity leave and childcare
support in research institutions.
Create research positions reserved for scientists for women.
Establish a national network of STEM outreach centers in rural and semi-urban areas. These
measures would help create a more diverse and inclusive research ecosystem in India.
Innovation Incubators: Establish technology business incubators in universities with a focus on
deep-tech startups.
Implement a "Lab to Market" grant program funding the commercialization of research
outcomes.
Create a national IP bank to facilitate easier licensing of patents to industry.
Launch an "Innovation Challenge" series with substantial prizes for solving key national
problems.
These initiatives would help translate more research into marketable innovations
and economic value.
Global Research Connect: Establish joint research centers with top global universities in priority
 areas like AI, quantum computing, and biotechnology.
Launch an "International Research Fellowship" program funding Indian researchers
annually for overseas projects.
Create a "Global Science Diplomacy" initiative to forge research partnerships aligned
with foreign policy objectives.
Implement fast-track visas for international researchers coming to India. These measures
would significantly boost India's participation in global scientific endeavors.
Upgrading Research Infrastructure: Launch a "Research Infrastructure Modernization"
program.
Establish national research facilities in frontier areas like particle physics, gene
editing, and advanced materials.
Create a national research cloud computing platform accessible to all accredited
researchers. Implement a shared equipment program to optimize utilization of high-end
scientific instruments. These steps would provide Indian researchers with world-class
facilities to conduct cutting-edge research.
Interdisciplinary Nexus: Establish Centers of Interdisciplinary Research Excellence
focusing on complex national challenges.
Implement a "Discipline Hopping" fellowship for researchers to work in fields outside
their primary expertise.
Create interdisciplinary PhD programs combining STEM with humanities and social
sciences.
Launch an "Convergence Research" grant program specifically for projects spanning
multiple disciplines.

Drishti Mains Question:

Discuss the current challenges and opportunities in India's research and development (R&D) sector. What
measures can be taken to enhance India's R&D ecosystem to drive innovation and global
competitiveness?

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)

1. NIF is an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology under the Central
Government.
2. 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:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) 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)
 (a) Literature

(b) Performing Arts

(c) Science

(d) Social Service

Ans: (c)

Q.3 Atal Innovation Mission is set up under the (2019)

(a) Department of Science and Technology

(b) Ministry of Labour and Employment

(c) NITI Aayog

(d) Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

Ans: (c)

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