As per the Department of Science and Technology (DST) report “Research & Development Statistics 2022-23”, public expenditure in the country has shown an increasing trend. The Gross expenditure on R&D (GERD), which include both public and private R&D expenditure, 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 2020-21.

 

The Government has consistently increased the budget allocation to the scientific departments. The budgetary allocation (Budget Estimates) for six Major Scientific Agencies/Departments and some higher education institutions is at Annexure.

 

The systematic, sustained and enhanced public expenditure in R&D has significantly strengthened research capacity, human resource development, and state-of-the-art research infrastructure in the country. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has supported 3,285 academic departments under the Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure (FIST) programme and 91 universities under the Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) scheme. Additionally, 15 analytical facilities have been established through Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facilities (SAIF) and 5 national-level facilities through Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes (SATHI) centers. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under the Boost to University Interdisciplinary Life Science Departments for Education and Research (DBT-BUILDER) programme, has supported 45 universities and institutions, benefiting 2,500 faculty members and 15,000 postgraduate students. The Government has further strengthened the research ecosystem through fellowships such as Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE), INSPIRE Faculty, WISE–PhD, WISE–PDF, Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant and NPDF. These sustained investments have translated into improved global performance, with India ranking 38^th in the Global Innovation Index 2025, 6^th globally in patent filings (World Intellectual Property Organization Report 2024), 3^rd worldwide in research publications (Science & Engineering Indicators 2024, National Science Foundation), emerging as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, and improving its Network Readiness Index ranking from 79^th (2019) to 49^th (2024).

 

The government has taken several steps to encourage private sector participation, public-private partnerships and industry-academia collaboration in research and development with the aim to strengthen overall research and development ecosystem of the country. Some of the key measures/steps taken up by the government include: launch of ₹1.0 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund; establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF); National Quantum Missions (NQM); National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS); National Supercomputing Mission; etc. In addition, programmes have been implemented to foster science- and technology-based innovation and entrepreneurship in academic and research institutions, such as the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) programmes, Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), Technology Development Fund (TDF), and Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs (TIDE 2.0).

 

 

Annexure

 

Budget Allocation for Six Major Scientific Department/Agencies

  (Rs. Crore)

 

Source: Demands for Grants of Central Government, Expenditure Budget, GoI (various Years)

 

Budget Allocation for Some of the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) Involved in Scientific Research

(Rs. Crore)

 

Source: Demands for Grants of Central Government, Expenditure Budget, GoI (various Years)

 

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NKR/FK

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