(a) whether it is a fact that India has the least number of full time researchers in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, compared to other developed nations;
(c) whether the Government has any plans to have partnership with industry for their research activities;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
(SHRI.Y. S. CHOWDARY)
(a) & (b): No Madam. As per UNESCO Science Report 2015, India has 1,92,819 full time researchers and stands among the top 10 leading countries in the world.
(c) to (e): Ministry of Science and Technology is partnering with industries through various initiatives in terms of research, technology development, commercialisation, product development, providing soft loans and human resources including policy and reform processes. These include formulation of new Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy 2013, Building Industrial R&D Promotion Programme (BIRD), Patent Acquisition and Collaborative Research & Technology Development (PACE), Promoting Innovation in Individuals Stat-ups and SMEs (PRISM), New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative(NIMTLI), Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme (BIPP), Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Research Programme (DRPP), Instruments Development Programme (IDP), Technology Development Board (TDB), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), National Mission on Nano Science and Nano Technology, Water Technology Initiative and Solar Energy Research Initiative, Prime Minister’s Doctoral Fellowship Scheme in collaboration with private sector etc, apart from recognition of R&D Units and national awards for outstanding R&D for industries.
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