Lok Sabha Question No. 5626 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-02
Subject: Global Innovation Index
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: SUDHEER GUPTA, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, NARANBHAI KACHHADIA, ANWHAR RAAJHAA, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., T. RADHAKRISHNAN, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY & PROMOTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5626. TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, THE 2 ND  APRIL,  2018.

## GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX

## 5626.  SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

SHRI A. ANWHAR RAAJHAA:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether the Government had set up a Task Force on innovation in a bid to enhance the innovation ecosystem and to improve the country's ranking in the Global Innovation Index (GII) and if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
- (b) the position of India's ranking in the list of Global Innovation Index during each of  the  last  three  years  and  the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the Government to improve its position in GII;
- (c) whether the lack of talent and inadequate skills is restricting business ability to innovate efficiency; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons  therefor  along  with  the  corrective measures taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## वाणिज् य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज् यमंत्री (श्री सी.आर. चौधरी) (SHRI C.R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a): Yes,  Madam.  A  Task  Force  on  Innovation  was  set  up  in  2016  to strengthen  the  eco-system  of  innovation  in  the  country,  and  to  improve India's  ranking  in  Global  Innovation  Index  (GII).  The  task  force  has suggested  measures  for  improving  India's  rank  in  each  of  the  82 indicators of GII. The recommendations include changes in methodology

from  perception-based  indicators  to  objective  ones,  promoting  industryacademia  collaboration  in  R&D,  emphasis  on  science  &  engineering education, improving business environment and ease of doing business, etc.

- (b): In the 2017 GII Report, India ranks 60 th on the GII out of 130 countries. This  is  an  improvement  of  21  places  from  the  81 st rank  in  2015,  and  6 places from the 66 th rank  in  2016.  Government  of  India  has undertaken various  steps  to  improve  India's  ranking  in  GII,  which  inter  alia  include steps  taken  to  strengthen  the  Intellectual  Property  Rights  (IPR)  regime and the innovation eco-system in the country, as also to improve the ease of  doing  business  climate  in  India.  Thus,  IP  processes  have  been  reengineered  and  manpower  augmented  to  reduce  the  backlog  in  IP applications.  The  Startup  India  initiative  also  includes  steps  to  support incubators and facilitation of startups. Research Parks have been set up for industry-academia collaboration in R&D. Various initiatives like simplification of process of registration of a company, implementation of the  Insolvency  and  Bankruptcy  Code, 2016,  Digital  India  and  Skill  India have also been undertaken.
- (c) & (d): The  ability  of  a  business  to  innovate  depends  on  a  number  of  factors, including  the availability  of  manpower  with  requisite  skills and talent. As such,  lack of talent and inadequate skills restrict the ability of a business to innovate and improve its efficiency. The Government of India has taken a number of steps to enhance the innovation eco-system in the country. The  Atal  Innovation  Mission  (AIM)  is  implemented  by  the  Niti  Aayog, under  which  incubators  and  tinkering  labs  are  established  /  upgraded across academic institutions. Under the Startup India initiative, funds are provided under the `Fund of Funds' through SIDBI to venture capital funds to  promote  innovation  and  startups.  In  addition,  other  initiatives  like National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) by the Department of Science & Technology, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna (PMKVY) and National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) by the Ministry of Skill Development etc. also contribute to skill upgradation and innovation in the country.

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