In a recent editorial dated 18 April 2024, Nature, deemed by common consensus, the world’s most respected science journal, alludes to India’s potential ascent as a science and technology powerhouse. This acknowledgment not only reflects India’s recent advancements but also hints at the vast possibilities awaiting realization. Describing India as one of the world’s most prolific countries in terms of research output, Nature underscores the nation’s readiness to step into the role of a science powerhouse.
‘This is not yet a given, but it can happen’, it says. Characteristically putative and linking the future to the outcome of the ongoing election, this appraisal must be viewed both as an honest assessment and a cautious forecast.
RECENT STRIDES IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
India has been making significant strides in various sectors, showcasing its emergence as a global power. For instance, in 2021–22, India ranked third globally in pharmaceutical production by volume, a testament to its leadership in providing affordable medicines and generic drugs, especially crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. It produced more than 2.2 billion doses of Covid vaccine for domestic use and also helped over a score of countries. Moreover, India achieved a historic soft Moon landing, becoming the fourth country to do so and the first near the lunar south pole. Its satellite technology also boasts the world’s largest constellation of remote-sensing satellites.
Image Courtesy: ISRO
India’s prowess in research is evident, trailing only behind the United States and China in terms of research output among countries. Over the past decade, the nation has witnessed a significant increase in educational and research institutions, including universities and Indian Institutes of Technology and Science Education and Research. Notably, these achievements were accomplished with a relatively low investment in research and development (R&D) compared to other high-income countries.
Concurrently, India has been stepping up her expenditure on R&D. The GERD (Gross Expenditure of R&D) more than doubled between 2010-11 (Rs 60,196 crore) and 20-21 (Rs 127,380 crore) with per capita spending (PPP) rising from $29 in 2007-08 to $42 in 2020-21.
STRATEGIC FOCUS ON INDIGENOUS INNOVATION
India’s strategic focus on self-reliance and indigenous innovation has been a driving force behind its domestic growth and global positioning. The nation is now poised to leverage its scientific and technological advancements across critical sectors such as pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, space technology, tele-communication, defence production, semiconductors, and renewable energy.
Expanding satellite services, investing in advanced propulsion technologies, and fostering start-ups can propel India into a more significant role in the commercial space market. Likewise, India’s successful campaign in getting 5Gi (Rural Broadband requirement) included in the global 5G, gets her a place in the World Telecom Standards Community, creating a wedge for licensing agreements of 5G technologies.
In the defence sector, initiatives like ‘Make in India’ are promoting indigenous manufacturing and innovation, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cybersecurity. The recent sale of missiles to the Philippines points to capabilities, once considered out of reckoning.
India’s semiconductor industry, aiming to address the global shortage, requires substantial investments in infrastructure, skilled labour, and R&D to become a leader in this critical sector.
Renewable energy technologies also hold immense potential for India, aligning with its commitments to sustainability and global leadership in areas like solar panels, wind turbines, and energy storage solutions.
HARNESSING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and patent registration are crucial for fostering innovation and attracting foreign investment, enhancing the global competitiveness of India’s key industries like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, semiconductors, and information technology. Effective IPR protection motivates inventors and reassures international businesses on the safety of their intellectual property.
India has made strides in strengthening its IPR framework to align with international standards, including reforms to comply with the World Trade Organization’s TRIPS agreement. Despite a notable increase to over 34,000 patent applications in 2021 as reported by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), India still trails behind global leaders like the United States and China, particularly in patent processing and litigation infrastructure. With China accounting for half of the roughly 3 million patents filed globally last year, the urgency for India to elevate its IPR strategies and execution is evident.
The National Intellectual Property Rights Policy and the creation of the Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) are significant steps toward enhancing IPR awareness among start-ups and SMEs. However, much work remains, especially in streamlining patent processes and improving awareness and utilization of IPR among businesses.
To catch up with global leaders, India must focus on modernizing patent processes, increasing professional training, and expanding access to resources for IPR litigation. Enhancing these areas will secure India’s intellectual property environment and support a thriving ecosystem of innovation and investment.
INNOVATION AND START-UP ECOSYSTEM — KEY TO SELF-RELIANCE
In the contemporary industrial vocabulary, the term ‘Jugad’ (जुगाड़) stands out as a quintessentially Indian contribution. Representing a form of innovation that maximizes resourcefulness through lateral thinking and ingenuity, Jugad is emblematic of the resilience and inventiveness inherent in Indian entrepreneurship and a fundamental trait and asset.
India has consistently improved its global innovation ranking. It has maintained its 40th rank among 132 economies in the Global Innovation Index 2023, as published by the World Intellectual Property Organization, ascending impressively from its 81st position in 2015.
As of 2023, India boasts over 112,718 government-recognized start-ups, a significant rise from around 50,000 in 2018. This surge highlights India as the third-largest start-up ecosystem globally, with over 100 among them qualifying as unicorns with a valuation of nearly $350 bn, with the distinct possibility of some of them becoming decacorns soon. These start-ups are spread across 763 districts in the country, clearly underlining this spatial significance.
ANUSANDHAN- NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION
‘The world’s most populous democracy and the fifth-largest economy has an opportunity to reimagine its science funding’, pleads Nature. It argues for greater participation of the private sector in India’s research spending and refers to the recent initiative of setting up a National Research Foundation.
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has been established by an Act of Parliament, subsuming the erstwhile Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) established by an earlier Act of 2008. The ANRF aims to seed, grow, and promote research and development (R&D) and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories. ANRF will act as an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP). ANRF will forge collaborations among the industry, academia, and government departments and research institutions, and create an interface mechanism for participation and contribution of industries and state governments in addition to the scientific and line ministries.
NRF budget envisions a spending of Rs 50,000 crores over five years, out of which a major share of Rs 36,000 crores, over 70%, is estimated to come from non-government sources, from industry and philanthropists, from domestic as well as outside sources.
“NRF will catapult us to the league of handful developed nations pioneering new research in new frontiers,” says Dr Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology.
The establishment of ANRF marks a significant milestone in India’s research and innovation ecosystem. By catalysing collaboration among industry, academia, and government institutions, ANRF is poised to accelerate India’s scientific advancements and technological breakthroughs. The substantial budget allocation, with a focus on non-governmental sources, reflects a paradigm shift towards a more robust and sustainable research framework.
INDIA’S DIPLOMATIC INFLUENCE THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
India’s transformation into a technological hub not only elevates its global status but also enhances its diplomatic reach. As it transitions from an agrarian to a tech-driven economy, India provides a successful model for other developing nations, demonstrating pathways to technological and economic independence.
STRENGTHENING TIES IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH
India’s technological advancements allow it to lead in various domains such as climate change, healthcare, and digital infrastructure, leveraging these strengths to foster deeper connections within the Global South. Some of the key strategies may include:
Developmental Models: India’s shift towards self-reliance and indigenous innovation offers a blueprint for similar advancements in the Global South, encouraging economic sovereignty without heavy reliance on Western technology.
Capacity Building: Through partnerships, India shares its expertise in IT, renewable energy, and pharmaceuticals, reinforcing its role as a leader while aiding development in partner countries.
Trade and Industry: Developing its high-tech industries allows India to provide cost-effective alternatives to Western and Chinese products, diversifying trade options and strengthening economic ties in the region.
Strategic Partnerships: Technological prowess in areas like space technology facilitates collaboration on projects like satellite launches, enhancing India’s diplomatic leverage.
Climate Leadership: Leading in renewable energy, particularly through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, India supports other nations’ sustainability efforts and asserts itself as a global environmental leader.
Healthcare Diplomacy: India’s role as a major pharmaceutical provider during the COVID-19 pandemic exemplifies its potential to influence global health diplomacy and support the Global South during health crises.
Digital Innovation: By advancing digital infrastructure and cybersecurity, India offers models for digital governance that can transform educational and business practices in the Global South.
Global Advocacy: Technological and economic progress equips India to advocate more effectively for fair trade and equitable growth on platforms like the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
India’s odyssey in science and technology heralds a new era of diplomatic clout and international leadership, driven by innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to sustainable development
This ascent provides her with substantial leverage to shape global dynamics, particularly in the Global South. This leadership, derived from advancements in technology and science, not only enhances India’s international stature but also contributes to a more balanced and multipolar world order, where the interests of developing nations are more prominently represented and respected.
*The writer, a Harvard educated civil servant, is a former Secretary to the Government of India. He also served on the Central Administrative Tribunal and as Secretary General of ASSOCHAM. He commands extensive expertise in the fields including Media and Information, Industrial and Labour Reforms, and Public Policy.
