India has a rich tradition and a treasure of scientific knowledge, wisdom, and culture. Classical scientific works were carried out in the Indian subcontinent in mathematics, astronomy, medicine and material science during early days that form a huge body of scientific heritage. India’s journey in the realm of science and technology has been marked by significant evolution, demonstrating a shift from traditional practices to a hub of modern innovation and research. This transformation is not only boosting internal capabilities but positioning India as a key player on the global stage.
The science and technology (S&T) sector has evolved over a few decades, with the country emerging as a global hotspot in research and innovation. With increased focus on deep science and tech, India enhances global competitiveness and shapes the socio-economic landscape. Attempts are made to foster a spirit of excellence and innovation especially amongst the youth, and nurturing an enabling environment and research culture to transform India into a developed nation by 2047.
INDIA’S NOBEL AND NATIONAL SCIENCE DAY
National Council for Science & Technology Communication, the apex body of Govt. of India, tasked to promote science communication and scientific temper among masses, received a letter from the public suggesting a ‘National Scientists’ Day’, in-line with the ‘National Teachers’ Day’. Taking cognizance, the council took initiative, and 28 February was designated as the National Science Day; it was first celebrated on 28 February 1987. Sir CV Raman made his discovery on ‘scattering of light’ public on 28 February 1928, for which he got the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. The discovery was named as ‘Raman Effect’.
Prof Raman was the first Asian and non-white to get a Nobel Prize in science, though Rabindranath Tagore had received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. The fact that India has not secured another Nobel in science after Raman, can be attributed to systemic, institutional, and attitudinal factors within India, including international politics. Many Indian-origin scientists won Nobel Prizes while working abroad, like Har Gobind Khorana, and Venkatraman Ramakrishnan. However, the quest for bringing Nobels in science to the glory of India is still on. National Science Day aims at celebrating, motivating and recognising research and innovation, besides connecting science to society..
LEGACY OF SCIENTIFIC EXCELLENCE
India’s journey in science and technology dates to early times, such as work of Aryabhata in mathematics and astronomy, Sushruta in surgery, and advanced metallurgy evident from the Iron Pillar in Delhi underscore nation’s prowess. In the pre-independence era, contributions of Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray, Satyendra Nath Bose, and Meghnad Saha, paved the way for a strong foundation of modern science. Scientific institutions like the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), 1909, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), 1942, India Meteorological Department (IMD), 1875, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), 1929, and Geological Survey of India (GSI), 1851, have created ground for research. Though, believably the British started institutions like GSI to serve their colonial goals!
Post-independence, institutions like Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), universities and national laboratories have become centres of excellence in research and education. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) were set up to bolster India’s scientific and strategic capabilities. Homi J Bhabha and Vikram A Sarabhai were instrumental in driving initiatives like nuclear science and space exploration. These efforts complemented and facilitated innovation across disciplines. Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research (IISERs) are recent additions.
POLICY FRAMEWORK
The foundation of India’s science and technology was laid post-independence by emphasising the importance of promoting scientific research and scientific temper. The state has played a crucial role in shaping the R&D landscape by creating policies and initiatives. If the country had to develop and progress, a strong indigenous S&T base had to be in place. Accordingly, a provision ‘to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of enquiry and reform’ was made as one of the ‘Fundamental Duties’ and incorporated in the Constitution of India.
The Science Policy Resolution (1958), and Technology Policy Statement (1983) have been the guiding forces for growth of Indian science and technology, until the full-fledged Indian Science & Technology Policy (2003) came, that gave a diverse and robust framework. Indian Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy (2013) focussed on academia, industry, and government collaboration. National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy (2020 Draft) emphasises inclusivity and democratisation of science.
KEY SECTORS DRIVING GROWTH
Several key sectors are driving transformation of India’s science and technology landscape, reshaping industries and creating opportunities for economic growth, like IT, biotechnology, renewable energy, space technology, and AI. Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a testament to India’s capability in fintech, financial inclusion and transforming transaction methods globally, including bigdata platforms like Aadhaar and Digi-Locker.
Images Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
India is amongst a few countries to have mastered the entire nuclear fuel cycle, from mining to reprocessing spent fuel to waste disposal, and developed capability of designing, building, launching and operating its own satellites for a range of applications. Recent breakthrough in space docking is a new feather in ISRO’s cap. India’s biotech and pharmaceutical industry is recognised as the world’s largest producer of generic drugs and vaccines. Swift development and mass production of Covaxin and Covishield highlighted biotech capabilities. India as ‘pharmacy of the world’, exported vaccines and medicines to over 150 countries.
India’s AI adoption is bolstered by initiatives like National AI Strategy and Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (CAIR). India chaired the Global Partnership on AI in 2024. AI and ML transform healthcare, agriculture, and education. AI-based healthcare diagnostics and smart agriculture make a significant social impact. As concerns of climate change and sustainability intensify, India makes strides in renewable energy. National Solar Mission and International Solar Alliance (ISA) are accelerating the global renewable energy grid. The EV sector is growing rapidly as companies invest in lithium batteries with recharge and reuse.
India is making strides in deep science involving fundamental research and disruptive innovations, such as nanotechnology and robotics. Quantum computing is gaining momentum, with initiatives like National Mission on Quantum Technologies & Applications, holding promise for breakthroughs in cryptography, optimisation, and simulation. Focus on deep tech, quantum computing, AI, and green technology, foster a vibrant startup ecosystem, including initiatives like Atal Innovation Mission, Make in India, Digital India, Startup & Standup India, Production-Linked Incentive, and Technology Business Incubators.
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
National Education Policy 2020 encourages learning by focusing on multidisciplinary, translational, disruptive, and collaborative research. India has one of the largest higher education systems with many universities and research institutes, and the third largest country having scientifically and technologically trained human capital. Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) aims to boost research and innovation by large-scale funding, catalysing a shift towards research-intensive industry-academia collaboration. Universities need a boost with financial and decision-making autonomy and aligning thrust areas of basic and applied research on global, and regional challenges, including skill enhancement.
India ranks third worldwide in scientific publications (2020). Indian Patent Office is the sixth amongst top 10 Patent Offices (WIPO 2022). India has achieved 39th position amongst 133 nations in the Global Innovation Index (2024). Though India granted over 1,00,000 patents in 2023-2024, many remain underutilised. Researchers per million inhabitants in India are 260 (2020), whereas China has 1,602 (2024).
GLOBAL COLLABORATIONS
International collaboration, with BRICS, QUAD and other fellowships, help in enhancing scientific exchange and capacity building. It catalyses transformation from knowledge consumer to knowledge creator ecosystem. A blend of policy support, educational reform, and entrepreneurial spirit is not just transforming India but making global strides. Partnerships with the US, Russia, Japan, and EU are instrumental in pushing research frontiers in space, nuclear, and defence. Collaboration in healthcare helps combat tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV, and enables India to develop cutting-edge treatments and vaccines.
While India boasts several leading research institutions, often there is a lack of effective collaboration between academia, industry, and government, limiting the ability to translate scientific research into technology and marketable products. Unlike Nobel-winning research that involves interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge facilities, Indian research institutions lack coordination and funding needed to pursue complex projects.
INNOVATION AND STARTUPS
Recently, leading Indian companies in pharmaceutical, IT, biotechnology, and strategic manufacturing sectors have heavily invested in R&D. Startups play an essential role in the R&D ecosystem with burgeoning startup culture focusing on innovative AI-technologies, blockchain, and renewable energy. India is the world’s third largest startup ecosystem with over 100 unicorns, and 1,00,000 registered startups across diverse sectors like fintech, edtech, health-tech, and deep-tech, raising $24 billion funding in 2022.
India’s R&D ecosystem thrives on innovation clusters, incubation centres and accelerators fostering entrepreneurial ventures. Tech Parks like Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) provide infrastructure for IT. National Innovation Foundation (NIF) and Honeybee Network support grassroot inventors, traditional knowledge and inclusivity. Although there has been substantial investment in scientific infrastructure, building state-of-the-art facilities will be crucial for fostering cutting-edge research and breakthroughs.
SCIENCE GOVERNANCE
Indian science has a robust governance system supported at the highest level by the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology & Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC). Principal Scientific Advisor is another apex office to advise the Prime Minister and the Govt. of India. The Ministry of Science & Technology has Dept of Science & Technology (DST), Dept of Biotechnology (DBT), and Dept of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR). These departments have autonomous bodies, institutions and laboratories; CSIR, for example, comes under DSIR. There are other scientific ministries, higher learning centres, academies, international organisations, NGOs, science centres, and planetaria, including states’ and UTs’ R&D frameworks contributing to the R&D ecosystem.
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
Science communication is a crucial component of the R&D ecosystem. It translates complex scientific concepts into comprehensible language, enabling the public, policymakers, and stakeholders to understand. It fosters trust in science and helps demystify misconceptions. Scholarly communication is necessary among peers for new advances and further research. Public communication is essential to overcome issues of misinformation, disinformation and fake science news. Science communication is not just supplementary but a core enabler. The worldwide phenomenon of ‘declining interest in basic sciences’ amongst students is also common in India. Incidentally, science literacy in India is 3.4%, the USA 28%, and China 14.1% (CAST 2022). Science literacy in OECD nations is also increasing. Effective science communication can help address such issues.
SCIENCE EQUITY AND INVESTMENT
Science equity refers to the ecosystem of investors that seeks to create value from scientific discoveries. Liberalisation of the Indian economy and rise of IT and pharmaceutical sectors shifted focus on market-driven R&D. India’s Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) has increased with significant contribution from the public and private sector, emphasising strategic sectors like space, defence, healthcare, and renewable energy, with Rs 1,15,000 crore (US$ 14.5 billion) in 2023-24 across various ministries. R&D investment in terms of GDP remains low. India’s R&D expenditure is 0.67% of GDP, lower than countries like the US (2.8%), China (2.4%), Israel (4.9%), and Korea (4.2%). India must invest at least 2% of GDP in R&D by 2030.
As per DST’s ‘Research & Development Statistics 2022-2023’, GERD in India has been increasing and doubled from Rs 60,196.75 crore in 2010-2011 to Rs 1,27,380.96 crore in 2020-2021. However, India’s GERD percentage remained 0.67% only. As per UNESCO Science Report 2021, India accounts only 3.1% of world GERD in 2018.
Private-sector contributions remain limited compared to the US and China, underscoring need for greater industry participation, though private investment has increased towards venture capital and corporate funding for startup innovation. International collaboration supports partnership for co-funding and research exchange.
LOOKING AHEAD
Despite immense progress, challenges remain and require commitment to overcome them. Private sector’s investment in science is still low. Brain drain is quite visible, schemes like VAJRA may help bring talented individuals back. There are gaps in the innovation chain from idea to market, often due to bureaucratic hurdles or inadequate regulations. Nepotism, cutthroat competition, lack of interest and non-access to cutting-edge facilities fetter excellence. Let’s apply a land-to-lab approach to provide a two-way channel of technology adoption and solution.
Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, dedicated ‘CSIR Innovation Complex’ Mumbai with multi-organizational setup making India emerge as a global hub for startups, innovation, and international cooperation. This reflects transformative policies and initiatives to empower youth and drive self-reliance. The Indian Cabinet has approved continuation of three umbrella schemes, unified into one, ‘Vigyan Dhara’, to promote S&T capacity building and strengthen the R&D ecosystem. Leveraging demographic dividend, embracing disruptive technologies, and fostering a culture of innovation would help India emerge as a global leader in science and technology, contributing not only to her own growth but also to the betterment of humanity at large.
*Prof Manoj Kumar Patairiya has pursued his studies and research in biosciences. He has authored award winning books on biotechnology, do-it-yourself science activities, environment, science communication, and has two patents to his credit. Currently, he is a New Delhi-based science writer and Adjunct Professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies. He can be reached at manojpatairiya@yahoo.com
