(a) whether the spending on Research and Development is quite less as compared to our GDP and it is far below than 1% of our GDP presently and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(b) whether the Government is considering to provide more budgetary allocation for research work in the coming years; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
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) Yes Madam. As per the available statistics, India’s spending on Research & Development as percentage of GDP hovered around 0.88% during the last decade. In terms of gross expenditure on R&D (GERD), India is far ahead of many developed and developing nations. However, the private sector contribution in R&D as percentage of GDP in India is only one-third while two-third is being contributed by the public sector as against many emerging and developed countries where it is more than 50%.
(b) & (c): Yes Madam. There has been a significant increase in the research budget allocation of the S&T institutions under Ministry of Science and Technology over the years. A detail of the Budget allocated is as under:
(In Rs Crore)
Sl No Department/ Scientific Agency 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18
B.E. B.E. B.E. B.E
1 DST 3544.00 3835.70 4470.20 4837.35
2 DSIR/CSIR 3707.15 4031.00 4062.80 4446.00
3 DBT 1517.21 1625.14 1820.00 2222.11
Total 8768.36 9491.84 10353.00 11505.46
Source : Demands for Grants of Central Government, Expenditure Budget Vol II, GoI (various years)
Note : Total funds includes plan + non plan figures; B.E. - Budget Estimates
1. DST - Deptt. of Science & Technology.
2. DSIR/ CSIR - Deptt. of Scientific & Industrial Research/ Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research.
3. DBT - Deptt.of Biotechnology.
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