GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.79
TO BE ANSWERED ON 17-02-2009

SPENDING ON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

79. SHRI S. AJAYA KUMAR:
     SHRI SWADESH CHAKRABORTTY:
     SHRI SUBHASH MAHARIA:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a) whether India's spending on Research and Development (R&D) is less as compared to other developing countries;
(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto and the reasons for less investment in R&D in the country;
(c) whether there is a demand from many quarters to increase the percentage of GDP spending on R&D;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the measures being taken by the Government in this regard;
(e) whether the number of scientists per million people in India is far below the other Asian countries;
(f) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the government thereto alongwith steps being taken to encourage scientific activities in the country; and
(g) the number of patent for new innovations granted to Indian scientists during each of the last three years and the current year?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES
(KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) to (d): According to the available official statistics, the expenditure on Research and Development (R&D) as percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in India is 0.88 %, which is higher as compared to most of the developing countries excepting China where it is 1.42% . The low investment in R&D in India as compared to China is mainly due to the lower contribution in R&D by the Industry.

To meet the demand for enhanced R&D in the country, the Government have taken several measures from time to time. These include formulation of S&T policies, setting up of autonomous research organisations and facilities in emerging and frontline areas, fiscal incentives and support measures to encourage investment on R&D in industry, national awards for outstanding R&D and encouraging public-private R&D partnerships. In addition, the Government have enhanced XI plan allocation for Scientific Departments to Rs.75,304.00 crores from 25,301.35 crores during X Plan.

(e) & (f): Yes, Sir. The detail of the number of scientists per million population as per the available official statistics for the select Asian countries is given below:

The Government from time to have initiated various schemes to attract andretain talent for enhancing scientific activities in the country. These include i) Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) ii) BOYSCAST fellowship iii) The Ramanujan Fellowship and iv) Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in Higher Educational Institutions (FIST).

(g) According to the available statistics, the number of patents for new inventions granted by Indian Patent Office to Indians during the last three years is 1907 in 2006-07, 1396 in 2005-06 and 764 in 2004-05.