DST Secretary Abhay Karandikar speaks at a workshop held in collaboration with FICCI in Mumbai on the Nationwide Science and Know-how (S&T) Survey 2024-25. Photograph: Particular association
The Division of Science and Know-how (DST), Authorities of India, has emphasised the necessity to improve R&D spending and improve non-public sector participation to realize the 2047 imaginative and prescient.
In keeping with DST, India’s gross analysis and growth expenditure (GERD) continues to hover round 0.64% of GDP, nicely beneath the worldwide common of round 1.8%.
Alternatively, {industry}’s contribution to the entire is about 36%, a lot decrease than in developed international locations, the place non-public corporations typically contribute 50-70% or extra.
Talking at a workshop on Nationwide Science and Know-how (S&T) Survey 2024-25 held in Mumbai in affiliation with FICCI, DST Secretary Abhay Karandikar pressured that attaining India’s imaginative and prescient of a developed India requires placing analysis and innovation on the heart of the nation’s progress story, not simply in universities and institutes however throughout industries and start-ups.
“For India to realize its imaginative and prescient of Vikshit Bharat, analysis and innovation should be on the coronary heart of the expansion story, not simply in universities and institutes, however throughout industries and start-ups. The Nationwide Science and Know-how Survey offers us a basis of info to border efficient insurance policies, shut gaps and design plans that actually foster innovation-led progress,” mentioned Professor Karandikar.
“We are not looking for this research to be seen as a compliance train. Fairly, this research ought to be seen as a collaborative effort to map nationwide obligations, India’s contribution to R&D, and determine areas the place non-public funding can develop. The insights we collect will immediately assist us design higher establishments and incentives that may profit each the {industry} and the nation,” he added.
He additionally highlighted key authorities interventions such because the Rs 1,000-crore Analysis, Improvement and Innovation (RDI) Fund, Anusandhan Nationwide Analysis Basis (ANRF), Mission Mode applications comparable to Nationwide Quantum Mission, NM-ICPS and AI Mission.
Vivek Kumar Singh, Senior Advisor, NITI Aayog, mentioned, “The Nationwide Science and Know-how Survey is not only an information train however the basis of evidence-based science coverage in India. Dependable and well timed R&D knowledge will assist us design higher applications, appeal to extra {industry} participation and strengthen India’s place in world innovation indices.”
“India stands at this time at a tipping level the place industry-led R&D, college collaboration and authorities reforms are converging. Now could be the correct time to scale up the depth of innovation and transfer from analysis to actual merchandise and from the lab to the market,” he added.
Murtaza Khorakiwala, Managing Director of Wockhardt and Senior Member of FICCI, mentioned, “If an Indian firm can develop a world-class antibiotic at one-tenth the price of the world, it proves our nation’s innovation potential.” What we’d like now’s the correct ecosystem, monetary incentives, sooner regulatory pathways, stronger mental property safety, and higher university-industry collaboration to make India a world innovation powerhouse.
