The Indian Science Congress has, over the years, petered into an annual science mela . Now in its 101st session, it has lost its sheen as the biggest forum for scientists to announce their achievements.
The Prime Minister’s annual address has become predictable and repetitive. When Manmohan Singh said India should increase its expenditure on research and development in science and technology to 2 per cent of GDP at the Jammu session on Monday, he was repeating his own assertion made umpteen times during his 10-year tenure. The country’s R&D spend at present stands at 0.9 per cent — behind Brazil, Russia and China, and way behind Japan, the US, Germany, Australia, France and Canada.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee had declared in 2000 that R&D investments would be hiked from the 0.86 per cent then to 2 per cent in five years. It seems like a joke now. Interestingly, in the same period (2000-2015), China doubled its R&D spend to around 1.6 per cent of GDP.
There is no denying the need to substantially increase investments in R&D if India is to rise in the global comity of nations. However, prevailing trends do not raise such hopes — the R&D spend target for the 12th Plan stands at 2 per cent! CNR Rao, only the second scientist to be conferred the Bharat Ratna and chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee to several prime ministers, openly lamented that funding for research was woefully short of the requirement.
The increasing hold of the bureaucracy and the dwindling tribe of top scientists is another worry. During the days of Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi there were giants like Homi Bhabha, HN Sethna and SS Bhatnagar who enjoyed considerable freedom in pursuing their aspirations. This continued with APJ Abdul Kalam, R Chidambaram, UR Rao, MS Swaminathan and RA Mashelkar to an extent.
The profile of the S&T Ministry at the Centre has dimmed over the years. S Jaipal Reddy, Kapil Sibal and Murli Manohar Joshi, the last few ministers did not focus on S&T. All that the department gets is a routine, incremental budgetary hike.
Different scenarioWhile this is the case for S&T, critical demand and national interests ensure there is adequate R&D funding for defence, nuclear science and space. Moreover, the Prime Minister himself oversees these sectors through a minister .
Urging the private sector to increase spends in R&D has been the refrain for over a decade. To be fair, the private sector has been increasing its spends, especially in the pharmaceuticals and automotive sectors. R&D centres of multinationals, which are estimated to be over a thousand, draw a higher level of investment. Collaborative research between industry and academia depends on the competitive environment and the global aspirations of the industry.
The government needs to push policy reforms, incentivise industry and create a conducive environment for the growth of innovation and research. The 150 per cent tax deduction on R&D spend by industry, special incentives, the technology development fund, and innovation policy are in place, but the effect has not been noteworthy. It is time for both government and industry to translate intent into action if India is to join the league of developed nations.
The Mars orbiter, the GSLV missions, and the success of the inter-continental missile, Agni-V, are inspiring examples.