India’s global position in the field of scientific research, as measured by the number of research papers published has improved from 13th position in 1996 to 10th position in 2009 as per the Scopus International database. The number of patent applications for new inventions filed at Indian Patent Office by the Indian scientists and the scientists of other developed and developing countries during 2007-08 was 6040 and 21978 respectively.

According to the available official statistics, India’s investment on R&D in science and technology as percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is lower compared to that of China, but it is higher compared to several developing countries.

The Government have taken various measures to increase the expenditure on Science & Technology in the Country. These measures include higher allocation of Rs.75,304.00 crores in XI Plan as compared to Rs. 25,301.35 crores in X Plan for 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 Junior Research Fellowships (JRF), Senior Research Fellowships (SRF) and INSPIRE, strengthening of infrastructure for R&D in universities, grants for industrial R&D projects, and national awards for outstanding R&D etc, encouraging public-private R&D partnerships and tax incentives for R&D.

Further, the Government have proposed to enhance the weighted deduction on expenditure incurred on in-house R&D and the weighted deduction on payment made to National Laboratories, research associations, colleges, universities and other institutions, for scientific research.

This was stated by Shri Prithviraj Chavan, the Minister of State (I/C) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences in the Lok Sabha today.

Source : Press Information Bureau
Date : April 28, 2010