Once again, we hear the promise of boosting the money India spends on research and development (R&D) from the current level of less than one per cent of its GDP to two per cent. Most recently, this found expression in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's inaugural address at the Indian Science Congress in Bhubaneswar. It bears recall that the Science and Technology Policy of 2003, unveiled by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, at that year's Science Congress, declared that the country's investment in s&t would be raised to at least two per cent of GDP by the end of the Tenth Plan (2002-07). In January 2007, Dr. Singh, inaugurating the Science Congress held at Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu, pushed the timeline for achieving that goal to “the next five years.” Now that those five years are up, the Prime Minister has extended the target date by another five years, with the goal to be met “by the end of the 12th Plan Period.” And so it goes on. India's R&D expenditure has risen from close to Rs.16,200 crore in 2000-01 to nearly Rs.37,800 crore seven years later, according to statistics published by Union Government's Department of Science and Technology. But in the face of a rapidly growing economy, such spending has remained at no more than 0.9 per cent of the GDP. China has clearly done much better, with its research outlay rising from 0.9 per cent of GDP in 2000 to 1.4 per cent by 2006 and reportedly making further progress after that.
The bulk of India's research funding continues to flow from the government. However, such funding as a proportion of the country's total R&D expenditure has fallen from over 80 per cent in 1990-91 to 66 per cent in 2007-08. Over the same period, research investments by business enterprises have risen from about 14 per cent to around 30 per cent. The pharmaceutical and automotive industries, in particular, have invested heavily. Besides, large multinationals and other foreign companies have been creating research facilities in India. According to one analyst, Reserve Bank of India data indicate that inflows of foreign exchange for R&D services have increased from $221 million in 2004-05 to $878 million in 2010-11. India's long-term competitiveness, however, rests on making sure that domestic industry does not lose out in the process. While the Prime Minister has called on industry to invest more in research, the government also needs to recognise its role in fostering indigenous capabilities. That requires making sure that the various arms of the government work together rather than at cross-purposes. This is something China appears to have mastered.
Keywords: Indian Science Congress, Research and Development
According to me only making investments in R&D is not going to serve the purpose. Instead equal attention should be given to monitor the implementation of the funds for right purpose.The progress of the research work should be monitored periodically.Tie-ups can serve the purpose up to certain extent but we should not neglect indigenous technology.If we want to be a superpower than we must rely on indigenously developed technology.Other countries share only their out dated technologies so, we should be able to develop a sound technology of our own.It is not that we have not been successful in that but a lot has to be done and for that effective government participation is also required.
I clearly disagree with Mahendra Verma's view. What is the harm if third class engineers with a second grade MBA degree are prospering in the so called IT companies? It is good that they are getting good job and leading a comfortable life.why should it in anyway affect people who want to continue with R&D instead o going by the visceral norms we should apply our own senses. India cannot becaome area leader in R&D without forged investemnnt from the government, positive campaign and lucrative job Opportunities for people who opt to R&D for their way of earning and living
Clearly, R&D is yet to find a place in Indian System and its GDP. It is very important for us to realise that with more investment in R&D, we can find even better ways to streamline processes reducing back-end cost in various economic sectors. This will not only improves efficieny in business but will also increase overall profit and growth completing the cycle by increase in GDP. Also, it will provide for the need of importing technology from other countries which comes at very high cost and manyatimes, with undesirable conditions from the seller's side. This will also intitate our young generation to think beyond salary structure and co-relate their interest with their career.
Research in S&T is a backbone of Indian industry. At the same time research in social sciences are equally important to eradicate the issues of poverty. The tribal research has been ignored and very little research work has been done. The government officials at the district levels do not cooperate. I have a PhD.entitled "Transformation of tribal Economy of the Dang district of South Gujarat" 2008.Now if I want to work with fresh data from the district it is very difficult as the district officials would not cooperate.Records are not provided to the researchers.
The promise of boosting the investment in R&D will stand out as a distant dream unless adequate steps are been taken by the government to offer lucrative careers for young graduates in the area of Science and technology. Conscious efforts should be taken by the government to improve the infrastructure facilities in R&D through Public - Private partnerships. Also children should be made aware of the importance of science and its prospects by conducting various awareness programs such as science fairs, scholarships etc. at school and college levels.
R & D level in India is decreasing while the other countries are increasing R & D expenditures. The R & D expendeture by public and private sectors as percentage of the GDP of the countries are Israel (4.86%), Sweeden (3.75%), Finland (3.46%) and US (2.82%) where as India (0.9%) lags behind other countries. The quality of R & D is poor in India. Enterprenuership is lacking. The merit system is threatened by reservations. The exit of the smart ones from India continues. Bureaucracy, politics, immitation and plagiarism dominate universities and government research institutions. The quality of the Ph.Ds is low. About 60% women Ph.Ds are unemployed for various reasons. The private sector R & D is almost non-existant. Indian researchers get better opportunities and recognition outside the country. Research is selective based on the grades at universities rather than enterprenuership. People like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have no opportunities in India, because they are college drop outs.
R&D is not able to get ample funds from the government whose main expenditure is going in fighting poverty. Existence of research in India today has diminished. Lack of research opportunities in Research and Development makes it a non profitable and non productive area in our education system. People of our country also aspires for a Nobel Prize. Science is all about research, unless a sound research is done we won't be able to make ourselves eligible for a Nobel Prize.
As long as untrained/disqualified faculties work in state universities (which get R&D funds from central) no matter what you suggest or yell will not change a bit. They lack in R & D knowledge completely. How can any state university professor who has not even visited or worked in Singapore or any country can train science Ph D. students. Quality assessments by UGC on university professors were never conducted and "so called science" Ph D degrees are worthless from India. Without conducting any experiments people are submitting PhD degrees and they end up as new faculties again in state/central universities. As long as this exist you will never see a change. Is there a central committee or UGC examined on the quality of R & D based research papers published by the so called professors and Ph D students. How can you expect from these people who do not have shame or desire to go upward movement of India. Do not compare China as it has MD PhD as research minister,Science magazine
Is money the big deal in boosting research ? I think the mind set has to change. For example in some parts of India it is like this that if you do not get into Eng/Med/.. you get into a Bachelor's degree in basic sciences. And I guess I should leave aside social sciences for that matter.
Politically motivated populist schemes do not allow the Government to spend more and more money on R and D.We also need more and more young and talented minds for our R and D.it is the duty of our universities to catch them young.That is not being done as many of our universities are not 'tuned' to do this. Corruption also plays a major rule in not utilizing properly and wisely even the earmarked funds.Allow more tax benefits to private investors when they willingly come forward to do R and D work.
Modern research can't be done in isolation or without huge funds to be supplied by the government or industry. When this has not been happening, how can you expect more research output? we have to encourage research orientation among students, reward the meritorious researchers and provide proper ambiance and recognition to them.Our people are doing wonderful work outside the country. Why can't we attract them back?When we instil nationalist spirit, our scientists and technologists can outsmart other countries including America. Let the government raise its share to five percent of GDP and brig back black money stashed away in other countries to give an impetus to research.
The inflow of foreign money in R&D in our country does not necessarily show the strengthening of our R&D power. In fact our potential in the research field is being used in favor of multinationals who are hardly concerned about the real developmental issues of this country. To harness the enormous potential in favor of our own development , the government must ensure its effective role as well as control over R&d sector.
Who is going to do research even if there is some amount of resource allocated. Why would youngsters, who worship cricket and bollywood, become serious thinkers and academics? How will you suddenly produce aspiring scientists and researchers from a society which amends rules to award cricketers, where film actors have temples and their birthdays celebrated with pomp and all over the media is full of their praise. People should just chant the holy names of filmactors, politicians and cricketers--for all their educational, medicinal, security and everyday needs. That is the best. Or maybe import some real humans from the west, they will do some worthwhile thinking for you.
The growth of nation depends upon growth it achieved in the field of science.Today in our country developments of science in our country means the developments made in the field of rockets and technology.More publicity and encouragements are given to this field.The achievements in other branches of science are not projected well in the public domain.The research and developments in the field of science such as medicine,chemistry etc are also to be publicized well to motivate the younger generation of our country.We have to aim an all round development of science in our nation and to integrate the people in each and every corner to it.For it public funding is necessary. Enhancing Private funding is not a panacea in this regard that we have seen our country now.
If a densely populated country like China can devote a research outlay of 1.4 per cent of their GDP, what prevents India from realising a better level of investment in Research and Development in the country? The repeated postponements by the government in materialising the target unveils its scant respect for genuine involvement in R&D. Moreover, our Universities also fail to patronise a conducive atmosphere to promote serious reserch facilties for the scholars.
To become number one country in many areas need to spend more amounts in R&D. Now US is having fear of China in beating Sceince and Technology in coming years and imagine the amount spending in research and development and taken the measures of promoting the quality of research papers and filing patents. Still India is logging behind in filing patents and producing more citing researching papers though we have many more national importance institutes across the country. If country doubles its present spending of R&D budgest certaibly can retains its talent and can away from brain drain and migrated to offshore in hunting good career and prospects. Its not only the centerl government duty and respective states to create an worldcalss research and development institutes with the help of privae players to contribute to the country in front of R&D sector to boost intellectual economy.
It is nice to hear that Govt is paying attention to R&D funding. Although it may be the culture that needs a fix. From experience of some of the people i know, they are targeted negatively for doing good work in many prestigious labs in the country. It is so sad to hear about how there has been a negative campaign against a friend who published in nature and science. This mentality has nothing to do with the funding.At least there should be some genuine forums, a scientific culture, recruitment at all levels and ages, not only through seniority, and if the non performers are asked to leave their permanent jobs they would have to focus on working rather than politicking against colleagues who work. The Government should make scientific positions as non permanent, where tenure can be tracked and your position is renewed only if you have made a substantial contribution (howsoever defined). Only then, we will get genuine scientific talent who work rather than permanent job seekers.
This is really tempting issue which is neglected since many years.The whole concern may never depend on the fund only it's just an integral part.Indian economy is booming now a days but our fresh graduate contineuously leaving our country and remaining are enticed by handsom packages, so who will lead the R&D?
Government has to wake up and make conscious effort before we loose edge over other countries. In addition to encourage enterprising to invest in R&D. Government has to design new plans to make universities to work closely with the corporate houses to boost the research activity
How can we invest in R&D when top talent is leaving the shores? Indian Netas and
Babus are not competent enough to think for the long term... main aur meri is all
they know. To invest in R&D the country will need to identify talent (based on merit),
give them the correct tools and frameworks which are relevant in the industry and
then give them a chance to expand their ideas and implement them - including the
probability of failure. Unfortunately, entrepreneurship is throughly discouraged by
the policy, procedures, neta and babu giri and infrastructure. Sorry to say, Indian
talent is more recognised overseas and where there is a chance to prove and
succeed, talent moves there. Just look at the DRDO story to give an idea of R&D and
their productivity or usefulness.
Public investment in R&D is very much needed as private investment
usually go in the greener sectors of the economy and lagging sectors
like agriculture remain missed out. Hence, govt. investment is necessary
to produce innovations there and increase incomes, quality of products
and standard of living.
Large funds alone cannot promote R&D. India's research output was qualitatively much better when it was much 'poorer'. Its affluence has given given wrong signals to the young. Basic sciences, such as physics and mathemetics, so essential for a strong engineering and technichnology base are neglected. Many colleges have closed down classes for these subjects at graduate level due to lack of student interest. You cannot blame the students when they see even third class engineers with a second grade MBA degree prospering in the so called IT companies! Unless the social mindset chanes, India cannot becaome areal leader in R&D.
We still believe in tie-ups. This culture has to change.
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