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

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 426
TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.02.2010

NATIONAL SCIENCE POLICY
426. SHRI WAKCHAURE BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM:
Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has formulated any "National Science Policy";
(b) if so, the salient features of the said Policy; and
(c) the manner in which the people are likely to be benefitted from this Policy?

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 PENSION; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN)

(a) Yes Madam. There is a National Science and Technology Policy, 2003.

(b) The policy outlines the objectives and commitments of India to participate as an equal and vigorous player in harnessing advances in Science and Technology for the benefit of all mankind. Strategy and implementation plan have also been enumerated. The approach to Governance of Science and Technology systems and commitment to increase the level of investment into Science and Technology to 2% of GDP have been articulated. Strategies and plans for optimal utilization of physical and knowledge resources, priorities for development of innovative

technologies, enabling new funding mechanisms for basic research, attraction of talent to research through Human Resource Development initiatives, promotion of innovation, establishment of systems for mitigation and management of natural hazards, generation of intellectual property rights and creation of awareness amongst people about the use and benefits of science and technology have been stated.

(c) The Government has enacted a legislation to establish a National Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) for funding basic research. The Government has also launched a new scheme "Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)" for attraction of talent to Science and retention in research.

Major programmes for mitigation and management of natural hazards have been commissioned. A State-of-Art Early Tsunami Warning facility has been established. Decade of 2010-20 has been declared as the Decade of innovations by the Government of India.

Various programmes to connect knowledge creation with health creation as well as technologies for social and public good have been initiated. Aspects like food and nutrition security, affordable human healthcare, energy and environment security form integral part of the Government's Science and Technology agenda. These programmes are likely to benefit people both directly and indirectly. Programmes like Open Source Drug Discovery, vaccine research, Science and Technology inputs to agriculture, solar energy research initiative and improved agro-meteorological services are some indicators of Social Contract of Science and Technology.