(a) India’s current position at international level in the matter of research in
science and technology;
(b) whether it is a fact that India’s global research output was just 3.5% in 2010
as per Thomson Reuters Report;
(c) if so, the details thereof including the key findings of the said report and
the reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to increase the share of India
in global research output?
MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES (S. JAIPAL REDDY)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House
STATEMENT AS REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 275
FOR 12.12.2012 REGARDING “GLOBAL RESEARCH OUTPUTâ€
(a) India ranks ninth in the world with respect to the scientific publications in Science
Citation Index (SCI) journals as per the UNESCO Science Report 2010.
(b) & (c): Yes Madam. As per the Thomson Reuters Report 2012, India’s share in global research
output is about 3.5 per cent. The key findings of the report are:-
# India’s volume of research publications has shown a consistent increase during the
last decade.
# The total number of research publications has increased from 106,456 during 2001-05
to 177,208 in 2006-10. This amounts to an increase of about 66% during the five year period
or an average growth rate of about 13% per year.
# India’s largest global share of publications was in the field of Chemistry (6.5%)
followed by Materials Science (6.4%), Agricultural Sciences (6.2%), Pharmacology & Toxicology
(6.1%) while the relative share in the field of Physics was 4.6% and Engineering 4.2%.
# The citation impact of research publications attained a level of 0.68 during 2006-10.
Publications in the field of Engineering, Physics, Materials Sciences and Computer Sciences
received higher number of citations while the field of Psychiatry/Psychology (0.99- close to
world average) received the highest citations.
(d) The Government has taken various measures for the promotion and growth of scientific
research in the country. These measures include successive increase in plan allocations for
Scientific Departments, setting up of new institutions for science education and research,
creation of centres of excellence for research and facilities in emerging and frontline S&T
areas in academic and national institutes, establishment of new and attractive fellowships,
strengthening infrastructure for Research and Development (R&D) in universities, encouraging
public-private R&D partnerships, recognition of R&D units and national awards for outstanding
R&D for industries etc.