S&T Policy Landscape in India

1. Foster Scientific Temper: Promote a scientific way of thinking and rational outlook among the populace (Article 51A(h) - Fundamental Duty).
2. Promote Research: Encourage and sustain pure and applied research in all branches of science and technology.
3. Ensure Adequate Scientists: Ensure a continuous supply of scientists and technologists and provide them with suitable conditions for work.
4. Integrate S&T with National Development: Apply scientific knowledge for defense, agriculture, industry, health, and economic development.

• State Patronage: Emphasized the government's primary responsibility to foster, promote, and sustain scientific research.
• Institution Building: Led to the establishment and expansion of national research laboratories (under CSIR), specialized institutions (e.g., BARC, IITs, AIIMS, DRDO), and universities.
• Focus on Basic Research: Stressed the importance of fundamental scientific inquiry as the bedrock for technological advancement.
• "Big Science" Approach: Prioritized large-scale, strategic projects like nuclear energy and space.

• Strong Foundation: Laid the robust institutional and policy framework for India's S&T ecosystem.
• Self-Reliance: Enabled India to achieve self-sufficiency in critical areas like food production (Green Revolution) and develop strategic capabilities (nuclear, space).
• Human Capital Development: Contributed to creating a large pool of scientific and technical manpower.

• Limited Focus on Commercialization: Less emphasis on translating research into industrial products and economic value.
• Public Sector Dominance: Did not adequately involve or incentivize the private sector in R&D.
• Bureaucratic Hurdles: Centralized decision-making and rigid structures sometimes hampered agility.
• Brain Drain: Insufficient opportunities compared to Western nations led to the emigration of skilled scientists.

Source: Government of India, Scientific Policy Resolution 1958; IGNOU: Science and Technology in India (MPA-016); Spectrum: A Brief History of Modern India.

1. Technological Self-Reliance: Develop indigenous technologies and efficiently absorb and adapt imported ones.
2. Optimal Utilization: Ensure optimum utilization of existing resources, traditional skills, and human capital.
3. Environmental Protection: Ensure technology development is consistent with environmental protection.
4. Promote Traditional Technologies: Revitalize and utilize indigenous technologies where appropriate.

• First dedicated Technology Policy: Explicitly addressed 'Technology' as a distinct policy domain.
• Emphasis on Applied Research & Development (R&D): Shift from primarily basic research to problem-solving and industrial application.
• Technology Assessment: Introduction of the concept of evaluating imported technologies and their suitability for India.
• Efficient Absorption & Adaptation: Focused on learning from imported technology and then indigenizing it.
• Environmental & Social Considerations: Integrated environmental protection and socio-economic objectives into technology development.

• Directed R&D: Led to more targeted R&D efforts in specific industrial sectors.
• Greater Realism: A more pragmatic approach to technology acquisition and indigenization.

Source: Technology Policy Statement 1983 document (Department of Science & Technology).

• Limited Impact of Liberalization: Pre-dates significant economic liberalization (1991), so its impact on private sector participation was still limited.
• Implementation Gaps: Challenges in actual technology absorption and commercialization persisted.

1. Harness S&T for Sustainable Development: Ensure food, health, and environmental security for all.
2. Encourage Innovation: Create an environment for innovation across sectors.
3. Strengthen Academia-Industry Linkage: Promote Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in R&D.
4. Attract Investment: Encourage increased private sector investment in S&T.
5. Global Competitiveness: Enhance India's position in the global S&T landscape.

• Emphasis on Innovation: Explicitly recognized the need to move beyond just S&T to innovation for societal benefit.
• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): Focused on effective management of IPR generated from public-funded research.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Stressed collaboration between government, academia, and industry.
• International Cooperation: Promoted international S&T collaboration and technology transfer.
• Nurturing Talent: Focused on attracting and retaining young talent in science.

• Shift towards Innovation: Marked a conceptual shift towards an innovation-driven approach.
• Private Sector Engagement: Signaled a greater role for the private sector in S&T.
• Increased Focus on IPR: Led to greater awareness and emphasis on patenting and commercialization.

Source: Science and Technology Policy 2003 (Ministry of Science & Technology).

• Implementation Deficits: Challenges in translating policy intent into widespread action, particularly in boosting private R&D investment.
• Fragmentation: S&T ecosystem remained somewhat fragmented.

1. Position India as a Global Leader: Enhance India's standing in global S&T.
2. Link S&T and Innovation to Inclusive Growth: Use innovation to address societal challenges (health, food, water, energy).
3. Promote a Culture of Innovation: Foster innovation from grassroots to corporate level.
4. Human Capital Development: Attract, retain, and nurture scientific talent.
5. Strengthen Science-led Innovation: Create a paradigm where science fuels innovation.

• "Innovation" in the Title: Signified the full integration of innovation as a core policy objective, distinct from just S&T.
• Inclusive Innovation: Emphasis on innovation that benefits all sections of society, including marginalized groups.
• Open Innovation: Encouraged collaborative innovation and knowledge sharing.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) & Philanthropy: Further strengthened collaboration models.
• Grassroots Innovation: Recognized and supported innovators at the local level.
• Role of States: Encouraged states to develop their own S&T policies.

• Inclusive Growth Focus: Clearly aligned S&T efforts with socio-economic development and inclusivity.
• Innovation Ecosystem: Paved the way for initiatives like the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), which significantly boosted the startup and innovation ecosystem.

Source: Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2013 (Department of Science & Technology).

• Limited R&D Expenditure: Despite the policy, India's Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) as a percentage of GDP remained low.
• Translational Challenges: Difficulties in converting research outcomes into marketable products persisted.