<h2>Overview of Recent Science & Technology Initiatives</h2>
<p>The <strong>Ministry of Science & Technology</strong> has launched a suite of mission‑mode programmes, policy reforms and funding mechanisms to accelerate scientific temper, research and innovation across the country. The thrust areas span emerging technologies such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, cyber‑physical systems, clean energy and biotechnology.</p>
<h3>Key Developments</h3>
<ul>
<li>Creation of a <span class="key-term" data-definition="Research, Development and Innovation Fund – a ₹1 lakh crore fund aimed at strengthening the national R&D ecosystem, supporting both public and private research (GS3: Economy)">RDI Fund</span> to catalyse industry‑academia partnerships.</li>
<li>Launch of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="National Quantum Missions – a set of programmes with a budget of ₹6,003.65 crore to develop quantum technologies, crucial for future computing and security (GS3: Economy)">National Quantum Missions</span>.</li>
<li>Inauguration of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="India Semiconductor Mission – a ₹76,000 crore programme to build a domestic semiconductor design and manufacturing ecosystem, reducing import dependence (GS3: Economy)">India Semiconductor Mission</span>.</li>
<li>Roll‑out of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber‑Physical Systems – a ₹3,660 crore initiative to integrate computing, networking and physical processes for smart infrastructure (GS3: Economy)">National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber‑Physical Systems</span>.</li>
<li>Policy frameworks such as the <strong>National Geospatial Policy 2022</strong>, <strong>Indian Space Policy 2023</strong> and <strong>BioE3 Policy 2024</strong> to provide regulatory support for emerging sectors.</li>
<li>Technology‑led innovation programmes: <span class="key-term" data-definition="NIDHI – National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations, a DST scheme that funds early‑stage technology start‑ups and proof‑of‑concept projects (GS3: Economy)">NIDHI</span>, <span class="key-term" data-definition="BIRAC – Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, a DBT agency that funds biotech R&D and start‑ups (GS3: Economy)">Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)</span>, <span class="key-term" data-definition="iDEX – Innovations for Defence Excellence, a programme that encourages defence‑related innovations by students and MSMEs (GS3: Economy)">Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)</span>, and <span class="key-term" data-definition="TIDE 2.0 – Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs, a DST incubation scheme supporting deep‑tech start‑ups (GS3: Economy)">TIDE 2.0</span>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Important Facts & Figures</h3>
<p>According to the <strong>Research & Development Statistics, 2022‑23</strong>, total GERD (public + private) rose from ₹60,197 crore in 2010‑11 to ₹1,27,381 crore in 2020‑21, placing India 7th globally in PPP terms. Public R&D expenditure (in crore rupees) was:</p>
<ul>
<li>2016‑17: 63,974.55 (0.4% of GDP)</li>
<li>2017‑18: 71,969.15 (0.5% of GDP)</li>
<li>2018‑19: 82,250.19 (0.4% of GDP)</li>
<li>2019‑20: 87,813.47 (0.4% of GDP)</li>
<li>2020‑21: 80,992.83 (0.4% of GDP)</li>
</ul>
<p>Science outreach funding (in crore rupees) under major schemes:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="key-term" data-definition="NCSTC – National Council for Science and Technology Communication, a DST body that promotes scientific awareness through festivals, fairs and media (GS3: Economy)">NCSTC</span>: 2020‑21 – 38.68, 2021‑22 – 52.60, 2022‑23 – 86.54, 2023‑24 – 52.63, 2024‑25 – 35.67.</li>
<li><span class="key-term" data-definition="INSPIRE‑MANAK – Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge, a programme to attract school‑going students to science careers (GS3: Economy)">INSPIRE‑MANAK</span>: 2020‑21 – 51.55, 2021‑22 – 56.10, 2022‑23 – 51.50, 2023‑24 – 53.72, 2024‑25 – 58.29.</li>
</ul>
<h3>UPSC Relevance</h3>
<ul>
<li>Understanding the scale of <span class="key-term" data-definition="GERD – Gross Expenditure on Research & Development, the aggregate public and private spending on R&D, a key indicator of a nation’s innovation capacity (GS3: Economy)">GERD</span> helps answer questions on India’s position in global innovation rankings.</li>
<li>Mission‑mode funding (e.g., Quantum, Semiconductor, Cyber‑Physical Systems) illustrates the government’s strategic use of targeted budgets – a recurring theme in GS3 questions on industrial policy.</li>
<li>Outreach schemes like <span class="key-term" data-definition="Atal Innovation Mission – a flagship programme that establishes Atal Tinkering Labs in schools to foster hands‑on STEM learning (GS3: Economy)">Atal Innovation Mission</span> and <span class="key-term" data-definition="INSPIRE‑MANAK – see above (GS3: Economy)">INSPIRE‑MANAK</span> are relevant to GS4 (Science & Technology) and to questions on building scientific temper.</li>
<li>Policy documents (National Geospatial Policy, Indian Space Policy, BioE3 Policy) are examples of regulatory frameworks that can be cited in answers on sector‑specific governance.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>To sustain momentum, the government needs to (i) increase the public R&D share to at least 0.5% of GDP, (ii) streamline inter‑ministerial coordination for mission‑mode programmes, (iii) strengthen industry‑academia linkages through tax incentives and IP‑rights reforms, and (iv) expand grassroots science communication via digital platforms like the newly launched ‘Samvaad’ and Science & Technology Communication Tools. Continuous monitoring of fund utilisation and outcome‑based assessments will ensure that the ambitious targets translate into tangible innovations and a robust scientific temperament across Indian society.</p>
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