Is India Ready to Lead the World in Science & Technology? Evaluating Efforts and Challenges

Introduction:

PM Modi has set an ambitious goal of achieving Viksit Bharat,that is developed India by 2047,that marks 100 years of India’s independence.

But,without developing and nurturing the field of Science and Technology,which forms the heart of India’s economic growth and development,this goal will remain only a distant reality.

So, government boosted it’s efforts in this field, aiming to become a global leader in Science and Technology.

Significance of Science and Technology to INDIA:

1. Helps India in becoming self – reliant(Atmanirbar Bharat) and reduces it’s dependence on foreign countries.
2. Boosts economic growth and raises it’s GDP.
3. Increases innovation culture among youth and reap benefits of India’s demographic dividend.
4. Raises employment opportunities and helps in reducing unemployment rate.
5. Boosts productivity of Industries.
6. Makes agriculture sustainable and economically viable.

Challenges that are being faced by INDIA :

1. Insufficient government funding.

Eg ; India’s Gross Expenditure on Research and Development(GERD) as a percentage of GDP is 0.64% which is below global average.On the other hand China spends 2.6% and USA spends 3.5%.

• Low private sector investment.

Eg ; In India,it is 36% while in South korea,USA,it is more than 70%.

• Gaps in Industry – University collaboration.

Eg ; Apple,Google,IBM – Spends billions of dollars on research with universities.

• Gender gap

Eg ; 43% of Indian women in STEM courses,but only 27% in workforce.

• Brain drain – Talented students move to abroad.

Advantages that India already possess :

1. India’s expenditure on R and D rose from 60,196 crore in 2010-11 to 1.27 crore in 2020-21.

• Establishment of IIT Madras research park – Here companies work inside campus with teachers and students.
• India’s Semiconductor Mission – Joins universities and companies for chip making projects.
• India ranked 38^th globally in Global Innovation Index(GII) published by WIPO.
• India’s patent to GDP ratio grew from 144 in 2013 to 381 in 2023 showcasing significant economic growth.

Government Initiatives in this sector :

1. Launch of Research,Development and Innovation(RDI) scheme by DST,with an outlay of 1 lakh crore spanning from 2025-26 to 2030-31.
2. National Quantum Mission by DST,with an outlay of 6,000 crore spanning from 20223-24 to 2030-31.
3. Deep Ocean Mission by Ministry of Earth Sciences with an outlay of 4,077 crore over 5 years.
4. Digital Public Infrastructure(DPI) for seamless financial transactions.

Eg ; UPI,Digilocker

• BioE3 policy,2024 to raise innovation in the field of Biotechnology and to promote circular economy.
• iDEX under Ministry of Defence,supports startups and defence research.
• Raising investment on Research and Development.

Way Forward :

1. Bridging the gap between industries and universities.

Eg ; Shared labs + Facilities + Goals = Innovation + Invention

• Establishing more research parks like IIT madras.
• Announcing modern tax benefits regularly for research.
• Making companies set yearly research targets.

Eg ; Fixed amount of their earnings on research just like CSR

• Bridging the gender gap.

Eg ; Awareness campaigns on ill effects of patriarchy.

Conclusion :

If India turns science in to business following ethical principles alongside building strong,long – term university and industry collaboration,then we can become a global Science and Technology leader realising the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.

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