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

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2552
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22-07-2009

SLOW PROGRESS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
2552. SHRI JAI PRAKASH AGARWAL:

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

(a) whether India ranks low in the World in the field of scientific research and development;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) the number of patents for new inventions applied for by the Indian scientists in comparison to scientists of the developed and developing countries; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to speed up the slow progress in this field?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN)

(a) & (b): India's position globally in the field of scientific research, as measured by the number of research papers published has improved from 13th position in 1996 to 12th position in 2001 & further to 10th position in 2006 as per the Scopus International database. The growth rate of research papers published during the period 1996 to 2006 is 7.0% which is higher than the world average of 4.1%. In research productivity per dollar and full time equivalent of scientist, India ranks high.

(c) During the year 2007-08, the number of applications for Indian Patents for new inventions made by Indian scientists/institutions/entities was 6040, whereas, the corresponding number of applications by scientists/institutions/entities from the rest of the world was 29,178.

(d) The Government have taken various measures for the promotion and growth of scientific research in the country. These measures include, setting up of new institutions for science education and research, creation of centres of excellence and facilities in emerging and frontline areas in academic and national institutes, induction of new and attractive fellowships such as INSPIRE, strengthening infrastructure for R&D in universities, encouraging public-private R&D partnerships, national awards for outstanding R&D etc. Accordingly, the Government have enhanced XI Plan allocation for Scientific Departments to Rs. 75,304.00 crores from Rs. 25,301.35 crores during X Plan.