MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES (S. JAIPAL REDDY)
(a) & (b): According to the latest available official statistics, the expenditure on Research
and Development (R&D) as percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in India is 0.88%. Public
expenditure on R&D as percentage of GDP in most countries is in the range of 0.7 – 1.0% which
is similar to the public investment in India (0.65%). However, the private investment on R&D
as percentage of GDP in India is 0.23% which has not kept pace with many other countries.
(c) & (d): Details of Government expenditure incurred on R&D during the last decade are annexed.
The Research and Development Support in Indian S&T system has enhanced the Indian capability and
global visibility in research and has driven level of funding support system per scientist to
critical levels. According to the bibliometric study conducted by Thomson Reuters in 2012,
India’s global share in the field of scientific research has gone up from 2.2% in the year
2000 to 3.5% in the year 2010. R&D support by the government has led to the establishment
of Science and Engineering Research Board, Induction and implementation of new Programme
called Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) for attracting youth
to study science and choose research as career, Promotion of University Research and
Scientific Excellence (PURSE), Consolidation of University Research, Innovation and
Excellence (CURIE) for women universities, Mounting of Nano mission & Water Technology
mission, National programme on Vaccines, Special thrust on innovation by launching National
Innovation Fund, Special schemes and fiscal benefits for industrial R&D and Technology
Business Incubators etc. The Government has taken a number of steps to encourage research
and development in the country and to speed up the pace of development in S&T. These
measures include increase in plan allocations for Scientific Departments, setting up of
new institutions for science education and research, creation of centres of excellence
and facilities in emerging and frontline areas in academic and national institutes,
induction of new and attractive fellowships, strengthening infrastructure for Research
and Development (R&D), encouraging public-private R&D partnerships etc. Several new
programmes in this regard have been launched during the XI plan period. The Planning
Commission constituted a Steering Committee for planning the accelerated development
of S&T. Further a road map and a concept note for changing the policy environment
for increased participation of private sector into R&D is also being planned.
