(a) whether the gross domestic expenditure on research and development (R&D) in the
country has gone up from 0.72% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 1995 to just 0.88% of GDP
as on date;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether any special emphasis is given for R&D in Twelfth Plan Period; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES (S. JAIPAL REDDY)
(a) & (b): Yes Madam. According to the latest available Research and Development Statistics,
the Gross Domestic Expenditure on Research and Development (R&D) as percentage of Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) in the country increased from 0.69% in 1995 to 0.88% in 2007-08 mainly due to
significant rise in the national R&D expenditure over the years. Details annexed.
(c) & d): The Government aims at increasing the total R&D expenditure as percentage of GDP
to 2% by the end of XII plan period from the current level of about 0.9 percent. This is more
than double the expenditure over the past years and represents a significant allocation of
resources considering the overall resources of the country. The Government proposes to achieve
the targeted goal during the XII Plan period through various measures such as policy changes,
increase in investment in R&D including by Industry and Strategic sectors, expansion of basic
science infrastructure, aligning S&T to development needs like food and health care, evolving
new models of public-private partnership in scientific research, encouraging international
collaboration, etc.