The Government has taken a number of steps to provide better scientific environment for development and advancement of scientific research in the country. The Plan Allocation of scientific departments has been trebled from Rs. 25301.35 crore in the X Plan to Rs. 75304.00 crores in the XI Plan. The Government has recently established a Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) in the country as an autonomous body through an Act of Parliament. The creation of SERB, apart from significantly enhancing the level of basic research funding, shall also impart the necessary autonomy, flexibility and speed in shaping the research programmes and delivery of funds to researchers. In addition, some of the enabling mechanisms to improve the environment for research put in place by the Government include the following:

• Government has been encouraging R&D in industry by way of number of fiscal incentives. These include 100% write off of revenue as well as capital expenditure, 125% (enhancement proposed in the current Finance Bill to 175% from assessment year 2011-2012) weighted tax deduction for sponsored research, 150% (proposed enhancement to 200% from assessment year 2011-2012) weighted tax deduction for R&D to manufacturing companies approved by prescribed authority. Customs duty & Central excise duty exemptions are also given to encourage R&D.
• Establishment of incubation centres to nurture start-up companies and enable chances of commercialization;
• Enhancement of number of research fellowships and their emoluments.
• Institution of prestigious fellowships like
  • SwarnaJayanti Fellowship for outstanding young scientists,
  • Ramanujan and Ramalingaswami Fellowships to attract outstanding Indian scientists and engineers from all over the world to take up scientific research in our country
  • J.C Bose, Ramanna Fellowships to support active scientists and engineers;
• New institutes setup in the 11th Plan
  • Setting up of Indian Institutes of Science, Education and Research (IISERs) at 5 locations;
  • Institute of Advanced Studies in Science & Technology
  • Institute for Translational Research in Health Science & Technology
  • Stem Cell Research & Regenerative Medicine Centre etc.

• New programmes launched in the 11th Plan
  • Innovation for Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE);
  • Chair Professors in academic institutions & visiting Professorship programme
  • Nano Mission;
  • Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE)
  • National Knowledge Network;
  • Mega Facilities;
  • Open Source Drug Discovery;
  • Network Projects;
  • National Biotechnology Development Strategy;

The plan provides incentives, greater accountability, administrative efficiency and flexibility with conducive environment for R&D. Department of Health Research and Earth Commission have been set to improve the environment for R&D in the areas of health, earth and atmospheric sciences.

The action plans for S&T have been finalized taking into account the opinion of stake holders and scientists. Additionally, the competitive R&D funding is done based on the principles of peer review by experts involving evaluation and monitoring of R&D programmes. However, some of these programmes like INSPIRE, FIST etc. are implemented in consultation with the states which provide the information pertaining to the nature of support, nature of Institutions, number of students and their ranking etc.

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