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

RAJYA SABHA
STARRED QUESTION No. 183
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12-03-2008

LOW INVESTMENT IN R & D

183. SHRI N.R. GOVINDARAJAR:

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

(a) whether investment in Research and Development in Science and Technology in India remains below the required level as compared to the other developing countries;

(b) whether Government proposes to liberalize Research and Development system to enhance scientific activities in the country;

(c) whether Government has submitted any plan for Research and Development in Science and Technology to the Planning Commission; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES

(KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT AS REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 183 FOR 12-03-2008 REGARDING "LOW INVESTMENT IN R & D"_________

(a) According to the available official statistics, the expenditure on Research and Development (R&D) as percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in India is lower compared to that of a few developing countries like Brazil and China, but it is higher compared to several developing countries like Argentina, Cuba, Sri Lanka and Pakistan as at Annexure-A.

(b) The Government has liberalised R&D system to enhance scientific activities in the country in various ways. These include policy reforms, procedural reforms and organisational reforms such as 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.

(c) & (d): Yes, Sir. The Scientific Departments namely Department of Science & Technology, Biotechnology, Scientific & Industrial Research, Atomic Energy, Space and Earth Sciences have submitted their plan proposal to the Planning Commission for XI plan allocations. The XI plan allocation for Scientific Departments has increased to Rs.75,304.00 crores as compared to Rs. 25,301.35 crores during X Plan as at Annexure - B.

Annexure -A

Expenditure on R&D as percentage of GDP for Selected Counties, 2000-02

Source: UIS, UNESCO 2005 and World Development Indicators 2007, the World Bank
India - Research & Development Statistics, 2004-05 DST (GoI)
China excludes Hong Kong.

Annexure -B

Central Scientific Departments
X & XI Five Year Plan outlays/ Expenditure (In Rs. Crores)