**Executive Summary**
This report details the Government of India’s strategic initiatives and financial investments aimed at fostering scientific innovation and research as of March 2026. It highlights a significant increase in Gross Expenditure on Research & Development (GERD) and outlines mission-mode programs targeting emerging technologies. Key objectives include strengthening the R&D ecosystem through policy reforms, institutional grants, and educational schemes designed to cultivate scientific temperament.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Strategic Missions and Funding**
* Establishment of a ₹1.0 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
* Significant budgetary outlays for specialized missions: India Semiconductor Mission (₹76,000 crore), National Quantum Mission (₹6,003.65 crore), and National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (₹3,660 crore).
* Implementation of technology-led innovation programs including NIDHI, BIRAC, Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), and TIDE 2.0 for entrepreneurship.
**Policy Frameworks and Focus Areas**
* Adoption of modern policy frameworks: National Geospatial Policy 2022, Indian Space Policy 2023, and BioE3 Policy 2024.
* Focus on emerging sectors such as AI, machine learning, robotics, electric mobility, critical minerals, space technologies, and green energy.
* Emphasis on fostering industry partnerships and enhancing private sector participation in national R&D.
**R&D Statistics and Investment**
* India’s GERD more than doubled from ₹60,197 crore in 2010-11 to ₹1,27,381 crore in 2020-21.
* India ranks 7th globally in terms of GERD (in billion current PPP$).
* Public investment in R&D as a percentage of GDP has remained steady at approximately 0.4% to 0.5% between 2016 and 2021.
**Educational Outreach and Scientific Temperament**
* Utilization of schemes like NCSTC, INSPIRE-MANAK, and CSIR-Jigyasa 2.0 to promote rational thinking and scientific awareness among citizens.
* Expansion of Atal Tinkering Labs in schools and the introduction of the ‘Samvaad’ program for experiential learning in STEMM courses.
* Execution of public outreach through science fairs, mobile exhibitions, and the celebration of National Science and Mathematics Days.
**Impact Analysis**
**Students and Researchers**
**Impact**
They benefit from increased access to research-based projects, innovation labs, and financial scouting through programs like IRIS and INSPIRE-MANAK. Higher education students gain experiential learning through the new ‘Samvaad’ initiative.
**Action Required**
Students should actively participate in STEMM demonstration activities and apply for project-based research scouting programs.
**Academic Institutions and NGOs**
**Impact**
These entities serve as the primary implementation partners for government schemes, receiving grants to conduct science fairs, outreach campaigns, and capacity-building projects.
**Action Required**
Institutions must develop and implement innovative communication tools to disseminate scientific knowledge and manage government-funded project activities.
**Private Sector and Industry**
**Impact**
The private sector is being integrated into the national R&D ecosystem through enhanced funding opportunities and policy frameworks designed to foster industry-government partnerships.
**Action Required**
Industries should increase participation in national R&D efforts and leverage technology incubation programs like TIDE 2.0 and iDEX for innovation development.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Science and Technology (DST): The primary department responsible for conducting national S&T surveys, bringing out R&D statistics, and implementing scientific communication and experiential learning programs.
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF): A major institutional initiative designed to provide strategic direction and funding for research and development across India's scientific ecosystem.
Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund: A ₹1.0 lakh crore initiative aimed at boosting technology development, industry partnerships, and private sector participation in national R&D.
Atal Innovation Mission: A flagship national initiative focused on fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, notably through the establishment of Atal Tinkering Labs in schools.
INSPIRE-MANAK: A key scheme (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge) designed to attract young students to study science and pursue research careers through innovation-led awards.
Ministry of Science & Technology
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: PROMOTION OF
SCIENTIFIC TEMPERAMENT, RESEARCH AND
INNOVATION IN THE COUNTRY
Posted On: 25 MAR 2026 5:48PM by PIB Delhi
The Government of India has outlined broad national goals for scientific innovation and technology
development through various mission-mode 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.
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 2020-21. India occupies 7th 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) 63974.55 71969.15 82250.19 87813.47 80992.83
% share of GDP 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4The 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 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
NCSTC 38.68 52.60 86.54 52.63 35.67
INSPIRE-MANAK 51.55 56.10 51.50 53.72 58.29
This information was given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology
and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and
Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on
Wednesday.
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NKR/G
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