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

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.385
TO BE ANSWERED ON 18-02-2009
STEPS TO ENHANCE THE STRENGTH OF SCIENTISTS
385. SHRI MOINUL HASSAN:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government is aware that as per the Research and Development Statistics 2004-05, the number of scientists per million people in India is only 110 and per capita spending on R&D is $ 3.53 which is far below than many other countries in Asia; and
(b) if so, what steps have been taken to enhance the strength of scientists and per capita R&D expenditure in India?

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

(a) According to the latest R&D Statistics 2007-08, the number of scientists per million people in India is 140 and per capita spending on R&D is US $ 5.90 which is ahead of most of the Asian countries excepting China, Japan and Korea.

(b) The Government have taken various steps to enhance per capita R&D expenditure in India and attract scientific talent for research. These measures include higher allocation for scientific research from Plan to Plan, 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, BOYSCAST etc, strengthening infrastructure for R&D in universities, offering attractive salary packages along with incentives, 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.