(a) whether the academic/R&D institutions of the country have updated information and details regarding all existing national and international patents, patent applications and research papers and if so, details thereof;
(b) the mechanism in place to prevent repetition and wasteful research works in the country; and
(c) the details regarding new initiatives being taken to promote research works in the country in this modern age of stiff competition and IPR regime?
MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES AND MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)
(a) Yes Madam, the academic /R&D instituions of the country have updated information and details regarding all existing national and international patents, patents applications and research papers. The Information about national and international patents and patent applications is available free of cost on the internet on the websites of the natioanl patent offices of various countries.
(b) A peer review mechanism is in place to prevent repetition and wasteful research work in the country. The committees which recommend sanctioning of projects are inter departmental which helps in prveventing repetition & wasteful research.
(c) The Government has taken various new measures to encourage research works in the country. These measures include higher allocation for scientific research including setting up of new instituions for science education and research, creation of centers of excellence and facilities in emerging and frontline araes in academic and national institutes, induction of new and attractive fellowships such as providing fellowships for teachers, PhD students, overseas exposure to PI’s. The Government has also initiated new programmes for Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence (TARE), Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship (OVDF), SERB Distinguished Investigator (DIA) and Augmenting Writing Skills for Articulating Research (AWSAR).The R&D information in Universities is being strengthend to make them internationlly competitive. The Government is also encouraging public private partnerships, national awards for oustanding R&D, Kindling an innovative spirit among Scientists to translate R&D leads into scalable technologies, Creating Technology Incubation Centre, Technology Enabling Centre and Technology Demonstration Centre, promoting strong linkages with advanced countries, including participation in mega international science initiatives and implementing selected National Flagship Programmes which have direct bearing.
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