Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Role of Private sector in RandD;
Why in the News?
The establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation and its funding structure clearly signals the government’s intended direction.
Research Policy in India
- Shift Towards Corporatisation: The Indian government’s approach encourages research institutions to generate revenue through external sources, moving away from reliance on public funding.
- This trend aligns with the 2015 Dehradun Declaration, which advocated for marketing patents to self-finance research initiatives.
- Focus on Market-Driven Research: The ANRF aims to align research outcomes with market needs, promoting the idea that scientific advancements should have immediate applications.
- This is evident in the emphasis on prototype development, which assesses the marketability of research products, which was highlighted in the 2024 Budget speech.
- Integration of Industry and Academia: The ANRF is designed to forge collaborations between research institutions and the private sector by earmarking a substantial portion of its funding (approximately 72%) from private sources, bridging the gap between scientific research and commercial application.
| Note: The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) is a significant initiative in India’s research landscape, established under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023. |
Funding Mechanism of ANRF
- Budget Allocation: The ANRF will be allocated ₹50,000 crore over five years, with a significant portion expected to come from non-government sources, including industry and philanthropic contributions.
- Governance Structure: The ANRF will be governed by a board that includes industry representatives and experts, ensuring that funding decisions align with market demands and technological advancements.
What are the signals despite the stated objective of ANRF? (challenges)
- Potential Undermining of Curiosity-Driven Research: The private sector does not want to fund basic research because it has no immediate commercial applications which ultimately leads to a decline in foundational scientific exploration.
- Public Funding Concerns: The government’s expectation for private sector funding raises questions about the sustainability of public investment in research.
- The current ratio of public funding for science research in India (0.6% to 0.7% of GDP) is significantly lower than that of countries like South Korea (around 4.8% of GDP).
India’s Achievements Despite a Low GDP Investment in R&D:
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Comparison with Other Countries
As of 2023, India’s gross expenditure on R&D stands at approximately 0.64% of its GDP.
- United States: The U.S. invests about 3.46% of its GDP in R&D
- South Korea: South Korea leads with an impressive 4.8% of GDP allocated to R&D.
- Germany: Germany’s R&D spending is around 3.1% of GDP.
- China: China’s investment in R&D is approximately 2.4% of GDP.
- Taiwan: Taiwan also invests around 3.77% of its GDP in R&D.
Way Forward:
- Strengthening Public Funding for Basic Research: To ensure a balanced research ecosystem, the government should increase public investment in foundational scientific research.
- Enhancing Industry-Academia Collaboration: The government should facilitate stronger partnerships between research institutions and the private sector while maintaining a focus on both applied and basic research.
Mains PYQ:
Q What are the research and developmental achievements in applied biotechnology? How will these achievements help to uplift the poorer sections of the society? (2021)
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