Lok Sabha Question No. 5397 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-25
Subject: Promotion of Scientific Temperament, Research and Innovation in the Country
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Ms Sayani Ghosh

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5397 ANSWERED ON 25/03/2026

## PROMOTION OF SCIENTIFIC TEMPERAMENT, RESEARCH

## AND INNOVATION IN THE COUNTRY

## 5397.  MS SAYANI GHOSH:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- whether the Government has laid down any national goals or targets for scientific innovation and technology development for the coming years and  if  so,  the  details  thereof,  including  focus  areas  such  as  emerging
- (a) technologies, indigenous innovation, or strategic sectors;
- (b)      the  public  investment  made  in  scientific  research  and  innovation during the last five years, as a percentage of GDP and in absolute terms;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  examined  the  adequacy  of  current investment  levels  in  science  and  research  in  comparison  with  leading innovation-driven economies;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  or  is  implementing  any schemes  or  programmes  aimed  at  promoting  scientific  temper,  rational thinking and evidence-based reasoning among citizens;
- (e) if  so,  the  details  of  such  schemes/programmes  including  their objectives, target groups (students, teachers, general public) and modes of implementation; and
- (f) the funds allocated, released and utilised under these schemes during the last five years, year-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The  Government  of  India  has  outlined  broad  national  goals  for scientific innovation and technology development through various missionmode programmes, institutional reforms, policy reforms and enhanced R&D investments. The focus areas include: the new and emerging technologies like quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity,  Internet  of  Things  (IoT),  robotics,  medical  devices  and

diagnostics,  cyber-physical  systems,  electric  mobility,  critical  minerals, geospatial  technologies,  carbon  capture,  utilization  and  storage  (CCUS), biotechnology, biomanufacturing,  synthetic biology,  circular  economy technologies, clean energy technologies, blue economy, space technologies,  semiconductor,  etc.  These  objectives  are  being  pursued through  key  initiatives  like:  ₹1.0  lakh  crore  Research,  Development  and Innovation (RDI) Fund; Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF); National Missions such as National Quantum Missions (budget outlay: Rs. 6,003.65 crore), National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems  (budget  outlay  Rs.  3,660  crore),  India  Semiconductor  Mission (budget outlay Rs. 76,000 crore), etc.; enabling policy frameworks like the National Geospatial Policy 2022, Indian Space Policy 2023, BioE3 Policy 2024,  etc.;  Technology-led  innovation  programmes  such  as  National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) programmes, Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), TIDE 2.0 (Technology Incubation and Development  of  Entrepreneurs),  etc.   All  these  measures  aim  to  boost technology development, foster industry partnerships and enhance private sector participation in national R&D to overall strengthen R&D ecosystem of the country.

(b) to (c): The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has been conducting National S&T Surveys to collect data on investment and human resource devoted to science and technology activities in the country. Based on survey data, the department brings out national research & development statistics. As per the 'Research & Development Statistics, 2022-23' report, the investment in science and research in terms of Gross expenditure on Research & Development (GERD), which include both public and private R&D investment, has been consistently increasing over the years and more than doubled from Rs. 60,197 crore in 2010-11 to Rs.1,27,381 crore in 202021. India occupies 7 th  position in terms of GERD (in billion current PPP$) ahead of the United Kingdom, Russia, Brazil, Italy, Canada, Spain, Australia, etc.  The details of public investment in research and development are as under:

| Year                                 | 2016-17                                  | 2017-18   | 2018-19   | 2019-20   | 2020-21   |
|--------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Public Investment in R&D (Rs. Crore) | 63974.5571969.1582250.1987813.4780992.83 |           | 0.4       | 0.4       |           |
| % share of GDP                       | 0.4                                      | 0.5       |           |           | 0.4       |

(d) to (e): The Government is implementing various schemes/programmes  like  National  Council  for  Science  and  Technology Communication  (NCSTC),  INSPIRE-MANAK  (Million Minds  Augmenting National  Aspiration  and  Knowledge),  Council  of  Scientific  and  Industrial Research (CSIR)-Jigyasa 2.0; and Atal Tinkering Labs under Atal Innovation Mission to promote scientific temper, rational thinking and evidence-based reasoning among citizens. These programmes aim to popularise science, build scientific awareness and enable informed decision-making in society.  They target students, teachers, researchers and the general public through  activities  such  as  science  fairs,  outreach  campaigns,  media communication, innovation projects and capacity building. Implementation is carried out through grants to institutions, State S&T Councils, NGOs and academic bodies for project-based activities. Some of the key initiatives undertaken  under  these  schemes/programmes  include:   organisation  of India International Science Festival (IISF) and National Children's Science Congress; Initiative in Research and Innovation (IRIS) in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) programme which scouts for the students to do research based projects; public outreach program like low-cost teaching aid workshops;  Science,  Technology,  Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine (STEMM) demonstration activities; mobile science exhibitions; celebration of National Science Day and National Mathematics Day;  industry  visits  of  students;  INSPIRE-MANAK  for  young  students  to attract them to study science and pursue research career; establishment of Atal Tinkering Labs in schools across the country; etc. In addition, DST has recently initiated two new programs titled 'Samvaad' to provide experiential learning  of  students  enrolled  in  STEMM  courses  in  higher  education institutions and Science and Technology Communication Tools to encourage the development and implementation of innovative communication  tools  to  disseminate  scientific  knowledge  in  engaging manner. Overall, a multipronged approach involving communication, education  and  community  engagement  is  being  followed  to  inculcate scientific temper across the country. The fund released/utilized under these programmes are as under:

(Rs. Crore)

| Year          |   2020-21 2021-22 |   2020-21 2021-22 |   2022-23 |   2023-24 |   2024-25 |
|---------------|-------------------|-------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| NCSTC         |             38.68 |              52.6 |     86.54 |     52.63 |     35.67 |
| INSPIRE-MANAK |             51.55 |              56.1 |     51.5  |     53.72 |     58.29 |

*****