Published on 17 Feb 2025
India’s scientific and technological landscape has witnessed substantial growth in recent years, with notable advancements across various fields.
Recent Major R&D Achievements in India
✔ Biotechnology
● Covaxin Development: Rapid development and production of indigenous vaccines during the Covid-19 pandemic.
o Example: Covaxin by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR.
● Vaccine Maitri Initiative: Contribution to global vaccine supply through large-scale production and export.
✔ Renewable Energy
● Solar Power Advances: Achieved record-low costs in solar power technology.
o Example: Kayamkulam Floating Solar Power Plant in Kerala.
● Green Hydrogen Research: Pioneering advancements in green hydrogen technologies for clean energy.
✔ Agriculture
● High-Yielding Crop Varieties: Development of climate-resilient and biofortified crop varieties.
o Example: Indian Council of Agricultural Research developed 109 varieties of 61 crops.
✔ 5G and 6G Technology
● Indigenous 5G Development: Development of completely indigenous 5G technology.
● 6G Research: Preparation for next-generation wireless technology.
o Example: Nokia's 6G Lab in Bangalore.
✔ Space Exploration
● Chandrayaan-3 Mission: Successful soft landing on the Moon's south pole.
o Example: India became the fourth country to achieve this milestone.
● Indian Space Policy 2023: New policy framework to boost space exploration and commercialization.
✔ Quantum Technology
● National Quantum Mission: Research in quantum computing, communication, and sensors.
o Example: I-Hub Quantum Technology Foundation at IISER Pune.
✔ Supercomputing
● PARAM Siddhi-AI: Development of one of the world's most powerful supercomputers.
● National Supercomputing Mission: Installation of high-performance computing systems across institutions.
✔ Genomics
● Genome India Project: Sequencing 10,000 Indian genomes to create a reference database.
● INSACOG: Monitoring and sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 virus variants.
✔ Nanotechnology
● Nano-Coated Magnesium Alloy: Development of biodegradable implants.
o Example: Developed by IIT Madras for orthopaedic treatments.
● IFFCO Nano Urea: World's first nanofertilizer for enhancing crop productivity.
✔ Robotics and Automation
● Polycentric Prosthetic Knee: Indigenously developed prosthetic technology.
o Example: "Kadam" by IIT Madras for enhanced mobility solutions.
Challenges Faced by R&D
✔ Funding Famine: Low investment in R&D compared to global standards.
● Example: India spent 0.7% of GDP on R&D in 2021, compared to the global average of 1.8%.
✔ Brain Drain: Loss of top researchers to better opportunities abroad.
● Example: 87% of Indian STEM PhD graduates in the US remain there.
✔ Bureaucratic Bottlenecks : Complex procedures and delayed fund releases hinder progress.
● Example: Importing scientific equipment takes 6-12 months in India.
✔ Disconnected Curricula and Industry Needs: Lack of alignment between academic training and industry requirements.
● Example: About 50% of graduates are not employable straight out of college.
✔ Publish or Perish: Focus on quantity of publications rather than impact.
● Example: India ranked third in research papers but 153rd in citations per paper.
✔ Gender Gap in STEM: Significant underrepresentation of women in scientific fields.
● Example: Only 35% of STEM students in higher education are women.
✔ Intellectual Property Conundrum: Low patent output compared to research output.
● Example: 58,503 patents filed in India in 2020–2021, lower than China or the US.
✔ Interdisciplinary Divide: Lack of collaboration across different research disciplines.
● Example: Limited progress in bioinformatics due to siloed departments.
Measures to Enhance R&D Capabilities
✔ Fund to Flourish: Increase public R&D spending and incentivize private investment.
● Example: Raise R&D spending to at least 2% of GDP and establish a national research foundation.
✔ Brain Gain Initiative: Attract Indian scientists working abroad with competitive offers.
● Example: Launch a "Reverse Brain Drain" program with research grants and flexible return policies.
✔ Industry-Academia Bridge: Strengthen collaboration between industry and academia.
● Example: Mandate 2% of CSR funds for joint research projects and establish innovation clusters.
✔ Quality Quest: Improve research quality and integrity through national programs.
● Example: Introduce a research integrity office and mandatory training for PhD students.
✔ STEM for All: Promote gender diversity and outreach in STEM fields.
● Example: Launch "Women in STEM" scholarships and establish STEM outreach centres.
✔ Innovation Incubators: Support commercialization of research through incubators and grants.
● Example: Create technology business incubators and an "Innovation Challenge" series.
✔ Global Research Connect: Foster international research collaborations and fellowships.
● Example: Establish joint research centres with global universities and fast-track visas for international researchers.
✔ Upgrading Research Infrastructure: Modernize research facilities and create national platforms.
● Example: Launch a "Research Infrastructure Modernization" program and establish a national research cloud.
✔ Interdisciplinary Nexus: Promote interdisciplinary research to tackle complex challenges.
PYQs
1. Discuss the work of ‘Bose-Einstein Statistics’ done by Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it revolutionized the field of Physics. (2018)
2. Scientific
research in Indian universities is declining, because a career in science is
not as attractive as are business professions, engineering or administration,
and the universities are becoming consumer-oriented. Critically comment. (2014)
Sci & Tech
Research and Development
Covaxin
Chandrayaan-3
Indian Space Policy 2023
National Supercomputing Mission
General Studies Paper 3
Science and Technology