a-big-boost-for-scientific-research

Poor spending on R&D has been the bane of Indian science. The highly bureaucratised science administration, stifling regulations and failure to involve the private sector have long conspired to ensure that the country always lagged behind global leaders in innovative research.

 

India’s share of investment in R&D as a percentage of GDP is a paltry 0.65% while the advanced countries spend between 1.5% and 4.5%. The United States, Sweden, and Switzerland spend about 2.9%, 3.2% and 3.4%, respectively. China’s R&D expenditure stands at 2.68% of its GDP while Israel’s share is 4.5% the highest in the world. The gross underinvestment by India has traditionally resulted in fewer grants, outdated equipment, and limited resources for researchers.

 

A ray of hope

 

Against this gloomy backdrop, the NDA government’s announcement that it was close to finalising approvals for an ambitious Rs1 lakh crore fund—under the aegis of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)—provides a hope for the future. This fund is meant to stimulate private sector investment in core research and development.

 

No doubt, there have been schemes in the past to facilitate research and development, the unique feature of this scheme is that the funds — primarily in the form of virtually zero interest, long term loans — will be available to private companies to develop novel products and new intellectual property.

 

In a recent media interview, Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India, Ajay Sood, disclosed that the loan could be availed only if the private sector company or a consortium made a compelling case that the research would result in a commercial product. Interestingly, the proposals would be evaluated by a professional body and not the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The official revealed that a Cabinet note detailing the contours of the scheme, focus areas of technology was being prepared and would be available soon.

 

The low-interest loans will certainly give fillip to India’s research ecosystem, enabling companies to develop cutting-edge technologies that are commercially viable.

 

Flawed system

 

At present, the harsh reality is that the state-run universities and colleges, which are home to nearly 95% of the total number of students, have an abysmal record in terms of research capabilities that can be useful for the industry. Providing state support for scientific research to generate new knowledge and address societal problems has been the fundamental goal of science and technology policies since the adoption of the first Scientific Policy Resolution in 1958.

 

“The prevailing national research system faces multiple challenges — bureaucratic delays in the release of funds, a lack of transparency in the award of grants, restrictive procurement rules, taxation issues, problems in international collaboration, etc. The biggest hurdle is dwindling or stagnating levels of funding,” says eminent science writer Dinesh C Sharma.

 

Experts have emphasised the need to evolve new criteria for measuring research output. For a long time, scientists have followed the dictum of ‘publish and perish’, linking grants, promotions and awards to the number of research papers published. Similar situation is prevailing when it comes to patents. It is no use gathering more patents if they serve no economic value.

 

If India has to compete on a global scale, government funding must be ramped up significantly. Also, scientific institutions should be given freedom to operate independently, without any bureaucratic intervention, to foster an environment of creativity and innovation.

 

Despite being endowed with a large, youthful population, the country has struggled to retain its top scientific talent. To address the issue of brain drain, India must provide researchers and scientists with access to world-class facilities and resources. Without such infrastructure and an encouraging ecosystem, the best minds will continue to seek better opportunities abroad.

 

Emulating American model

 

The ANRF, originally announced in 2023, aims to close this gap, drawing inspiration from the United States' National Science Foundation (NSF). In the US model, after academic researchers have established a concept, the industry steps in to commercialise it. The ANRF wants to replicate this collaboration to ensure that research translates into real-world impact. 

 

This initiative signals a crucial shift in the country’s approach to scientific advancement — one that places the private sector at the forefront of the nation’s research ecosystem and will, hopefully, help in bridging the long-standing divide between academia and the industry.  The new scheme seeks to provide funding access to private companies with commercially viable research proposals.

 

Unlike traditional grant-based schemes, this initiative emphasises applied research with clear commercial potential. This focus on tangible outcomes may ensure that the investment translates into new products, patents and economic growth. However, its success will ultimately depend on effective implementation, transparent selection criteria and the ability to attract industry.

 

There is also a need to strengthen academia-industry collaboration, streamline bureaucratic hurdles and create incentives for long-term innovation rather than short-term gains. The ANRF must identify niche areas where India needs to develop research and technological capacity in short, medium and long terms — areas that need a major leap or just incremental improvements, technologies that require substantial and sustained funding, and areas not covered by ongoing academic efforts in research institutes or industrial firms. Such clear mapping of critical areas across sectors is a prerequisite to serving the twin objectives of deploying scientific research for societal needs and attaining technological capability.