Question : SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

(a) whether the number of scientific researches being carried out in the country is declining continuously;

(b) if so, the reasons thereof;

(c) whether earlier the contribution of India to the research being carried out around the world was nine percent and now the same has reduced to merely 2.3 percent;

(d) if so, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the steps being taken by the Government to increase India’s partnership and contribution at the international level and promote research works in the country as well?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (ASHWANI KUMAR)

(a) to (d): No Madam. India commanded a share of 3% in 1981 based on Database of Thomson Reuters. During 1981-2001, Indian share of scientific publications decreased gradually although there was a net increase in the number of publications. It reached a value of 1.83+0.01% in 2001 as measured by two independent databases. Since 2001, the number and global share of scientific research publications in the country has shown a continuous increase. India’s contribution to the World Publication output has increased from 1.83% in the year 2001 to 3.17% in the year 2010 as per the SCOPUS database and 3.6% in 2010 as per the Thomson Reuters database.

(e) The Government has taken several measures to increase India’s scientific contribution which includes strengthening of international Science and Technology (S&T) cooperation and joint development of technologies. Some of these measures include Indo-US Endowment Board, Indo-US Joint Centre for Clean Energy Research and Development, EU-India Joint Research Fund, Indo-Australian strategy Research Fund, Indo-UK Science and Innovation Council, establishment of Indo-German S&T Centre, Indo-Russian S&T Centre, Indo-Swiss Joint Research Fund, developing bilateral programmes on innovation and entrepreneurship, young research fellowships & visits abroad etc. Under various bilateral and multilateral S&T cooperation, India has developed a strategy reciprocity and parity for S&T partnership with nine countries and EU, with a total fund allocation of more than US$780 million each side. Further, several steps have been taken for the promotion and growth of scientific research in the country as well. These include successive increase in plan allocations for Scientific Departments at the rate of about 18-20% per annum, setting up of new institutions for science education and research, creation of centres of excellence and facilities in emerging and frontline areas in academic and national institutes, establishment of National Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), introduction of new and attractive fellowships such as INSPIRE, strengthening infrastructure for R&D in universities, encouraging public-private R&D partnerships, recognition for R&D units and national awards for outstanding R&D for industry etc.