The Ministry of Science & Technology has mobilised a ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund and launched mission‑mode programmes—including the National Quantum Missions, India Semiconductor Mission and Cyber‑Physical Systems Mission—to boost R&D and emerging technologies. Parallel outreach schemes such as NCSTC, INSPIRE‑MANAK and the Atal Innovation Mission aim to nurture scientific temper and STEM skills, while public R&D spending has hovered around 0.4% of GDP, positioning India 7th globally in GERD.
Overview of Recent Science & Technology Initiatives The Ministry of Science & Technology 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. Key Developments Creation of a RDI Fund to catalyse industry‑academia partnerships. Launch of the National Quantum Missions . Inauguration of the India Semiconductor Mission . Roll‑out of the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber‑Physical Systems . Policy frameworks such as the National Geospatial Policy 2022 , Indian Space Policy 2023 and BioE3 Policy 2024 to provide regulatory support for emerging sectors. Technology‑led innovation programmes: NIDHI , Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) , Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) , and TIDE 2.0 . Important Facts & Figures According to the Research & Development Statistics, 2022‑23 , 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: 2016‑17: 63,974.55 (0.4% of GDP) 2017‑18: 71,969.15 (0.5% of GDP) 2018‑19: 82,250.19 (0.4% of GDP) 2019‑20: 87,813.47 (0.4% of GDP) 2020‑21: 80,992.83 (0.4% of GDP) Science outreach funding (in crore rupees) under major schemes: NCSTC : 2020‑21 – 38.68, 2021‑22 – 52.60, 2022‑23 – 86.54, 2023‑24 – 52.63, 2024‑25 – 35.67. INSPIRE‑MANAK : 2020‑21 – 51.55, 2021‑22 – 56.10, 2022‑23 – 51.50, 2023‑24 – 53.72, 2024‑25 – 58.29. UPSC Relevance Understanding the scale of GERD helps answer questions on India’s position in global innovation rankings. 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. Outreach schemes like Atal Innovation Mission and INSPIRE‑MANAK are relevant to GS4 (Science & Technology) and to questions on building scientific temper. 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. Way Forward 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.
The Government’s mission‑mode approach aligns with the UPSC emphasis on strategic industrial policy, aiming to bridge the R&D gap, reduce import dependence in high‑tech sectors and nurture a scientific temperament through outreach. Increasing GERD and public R&D share is crucial for moving India up the global innovation ladder while supporting sustainable economic growth.
UPSC Syllabus Connections
Essay•Science, Technology and SocietyGS3•Developments in science and technology and their applicationsGS2•Government policies and interventions for developmentEssay•Education, Knowledge and CulturePrelims_GS•Science and Technology ApplicationsGS2•Issues relating to Health, Education, Human ResourcesPrelims_GS•National Current AffairsGS3•IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and IPRGS2•Development processes - role of NGOs, SHGs and stakeholdersEssay•Economy, Development and Inequality
Mains Answer Angle
GS‑3: Evaluate the effectiveness of mission‑mode programmes (Quantum, Semiconductor, Cyber‑Physical Systems) and the RDI Fund in enhancing India’s R&D ecosystem and scientific temper; discuss policy measures to raise public R&D spending to 0.5% of GDP.