Lok Sabha Question No. 2956 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Allocation of Funds for Science and Technology
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Sangeeta Azad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2956 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20/12/2023

Allocation of Funds for Science and Technology

## 2956. SHRIMATI SANGEETA AZAD:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ͪव£ान और Ĥौɮयोͬगकȧ मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a)        the  rationale  behind  India's  allocation  of  funds  for  Science  and Technology  in  view  of  significant  disparity  between  India's  allocation  and other  countries  like  Korea,  United  States  and  China  which  spend  a  much higher-percentage of their GDP;
- (b)        whether  it  aligns  with  India's  aspirations  in  the  field  of  science  and technology and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)        the  manner  in  which  the  Government plans to  address the concerns raised by the experts regarding the adequacy of the allocation with the slight increase  in  funding  for  the  Ministry  of  Science  and  Technology  especially considering the impact of inflation;
- (d)        the  mechanism  through  which  the  Government  plans  to  ensure  that funding  keeps  pace  with  inflation  to  maintain  the  momentum  in  scientificresearch; and
- (e)     the manner in which the Government aims to undertake its specific goals and projects with the help of the allocated funds to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and its effective utilisation?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

ͪव£ान और Ĥौɮयोͬगकȧ मंğालय क े  राÏयमंğी (èवतंğ Ĥभार)

(डॉ. िजतɅġ ͧसंह)

- (a)  &  (b)  The  government  allocates  funds  in  alignment  with  the  national aspirations and  priorities to strengthen  the  Science,  Technology  and Innovation (STI) ecosystem in the country. Some of the key efforts include

successive increases in allocations for  scientific  departments, creation  of centres of excellence in emerging areas, instituting research fellowships and R&D schemes, etc. In the recent years, the government has launched several new mission mode programmes such as National Super-computing Mission (NSM),  National  Mission  on  Integrated  Cyber  Physical  Systems  (NM-ICPS), National  Quantum  Mission  (NQM),  National  Deep  Ocean  Mission,  National Hydrogen Mission, etc. with the aim to provide technological leadership to the nation in emerging areas. Further, the government has initiated the roll out for  establishment of  an  Anusandhan National Research  Foundation (ANRF) with the aim to provide high level strategic direction for research, innovation and entrepreneurship in the fields of Science & Technology at a total budget of Rs. 50,000 crores for five years (2023-28), out of which a major share of around 70%, is estimated to come from non-government sources.

As  per  the  latest  available  R&D  statistics,  the  national  expenditure  on research and development (R&D) measured in terms of Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) has been continuously increasing over the years and has been more than doubled in last 10 years. However, India's GERD to GDP ratio remained at 0.6% to 0.7% which is relatively lower than other countries like Korea, US, China, etc. and is mainly attributed to inadequate investment by India's private sector into GERD.

(c)  to  (e)  The  government  carries  out  a  detailed  exercise  to  finalize  the allocation of budgets for Ministry of Science and Technology in alignment with the requirements, priorities and also to maintain the momentum in scientific research. For effective utilization of the budget allocations, the Government is implementing the Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework (OOMF) mechanism to set financial year-wise targets under each scheme/initiative against pre-defined indicators and accordingly monitor the progress/outcomes in a systematic and objective manner. The OOMF being implemented through NITI Aayog consists of a set of indicators that are used to measure the outputs and outcomes of government programs and initiatives. It also provides feedback on the effectiveness of its policies and programmes and helps in identifying areas for improvement.

The allocation of budgets for the Ministry of Science and Technology has been consistently increasing over the years.  The budgetary allocation i.e. Budget Estimate (BE) for Ministry of Science and Technology during last five years has increased by 25% from Rs.13056.24 crore in 2019-20 to Rs.16361.42 crore in 2023-24.

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