Relevance for UPSC: GS Paper III (Science & Technology, Economy, Governance)
Source: The Hindu (opinion by Shashi Tharoor); Government R&D and patent data

Key Takeaways

  • India’s research deficit is structural and systemic.
  • Innovation reform is central to long-term economic and strategic strength.

Context

India’s aspiration to emerge as a global power and knowledge-driven economy depends critically on the strength of its research and innovation ecosystem. The article highlights a persistent gap between India’s demographic and intellectual potential and its actual research output and technological depth.

India’s Research Paradox

  • India has nearly 18% of the world’s population, but contributes only around 3% of global research output.
  • Gross Expenditure on Research and Development remains stuck at 0.6–0.7% of Gross Domestic Product, compared to:
    • United States (~3.5%)
    • China (~2.4%)
    • Israel (~5%)
  • Patent filings have increased, yet resident patents per million population remain low, revealing weak domestic innovation capacity.

Structural Challenges

  • Public-sector dominance in research funding, with limited private sector participation.
  • Weak academia–industry linkages, resulting in poor commercialisation of research.
  • Brain drain, as top researchers migrate to countries offering better funding and infrastructure.
  • Fragmented institutions, procedural delays and short-term funding cycles discourage breakthrough research.

Why It Matters for India

A fragile research base undermines technological sovereignty, limits competitiveness in frontier sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, defence and clean energy, and risks confining India to a technology-import dependent growth model.

Way Forward

  • Increase research spending towards 2% of Gross Domestic Product.
  • Adopt mission-mode research in strategic areas through national missions.
  • Incentivise private sector-led research and deep-tech start-ups.
  • Reform universities to function as research-intensive institutions with global collaboration.

One-line wrap: India’s global ambitions will remain unrealised unless its research ecosystem is fundamentally strengthened.

UPSC Value Box

For Mains (2–3 points)

  • Governance & Economy: Strong research capacity is essential for productivity growth, industrial competitiveness and strategic autonomy.
  • Society: Innovation-driven growth creates high-quality jobs and reduces brain drain.

Analytical Insight + Way Forward

  • Challenge: Chronic underinvestment and weak private participation limit India’s innovation depth.
  • Reform: Shift to mission-oriented, publicly funded but privately led research with predictable financing and industry–academia collaboration.

Q. “India’s aspiration to become a global power is constrained by weaknesses in its research and development ecosystem.” Examine and suggest reforms.

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