**Summary:**
India's Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) as a percentage of GDP was 0.66, 0.66, and 0.64 during 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21, respectively. While GERD has more than doubled from ₹60,196.75 crore in 2010-11 to ₹127,380.96 crore in 2020-21, GDP has increased more than 2.5 times during the same period. India's GERD as a percentage of GDP remains below the global average and lower than countries like China, South Korea, and the US. A contributing factor is the relatively low investment by India's private sector in GERD, accounting for approximately 36%, compared to over 70% in the aforementioned countries.
In 2024-25, the budgetary allocation and utilization under major Department of Science and Technology (DST) funded schemes were as follows (in ₹ Crore): Science and Technology Institutional and Human Capacity Building (Allocation: 543.91, Utilisation: 542.38), Research and Development (Allocation: 49.13, Utilisation: 48.41), Innovation, Technology Development and Deployment (Allocation: 326.21, Utilisation: 325.56), National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical System (Allocation: 815.00, Utilisation: 715.97), National Quantum Mission (Allocation: 86.00, Utilisation: 62.36), VigyanDhara (Allocation: 330.75, Utilisation: 271.98), and National Super Computing Mission (Allocation: 242.80, Utilisation: 221.00). The total allocation was ₹2393.80 crore, with a total utilisation of ₹2187.66 crore.
To streamline fund disbursement, the government introduced new fund flow mechanisms like Central Nodal Agency (CNA) and Hybrid Treasury Single Account (Hybrid TSA). Challenges during the transition were addressed through measures such as advance grant releases for fellowships, helpline desks, and stakeholder training.
The government is implementing schemes to promote scientific research and improve funding mechanisms in State universities and higher education institutions, including Fund for Improvement of Science and Technology Infrastructure (FIST); Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facilities (SAIF); Sophisticated Analytical Technical Help Institutes (SATHI); Consolidation of University Research through Innovation and Excellence in Women Universities (CURIE); Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE); ANRF-Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) Program; and Department of Biotechnology-Boost to University Interdisciplinary Life Science Departments for Education and Research (DBT-BUILDER) programme. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) also supports research proposals from central/state universities and R&D institutions through its Extramural Research Scheme.
This information was provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on August 7, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Science Technology: The Indian government ministry responsible for science and technology policies and initiatives.
Gross Expenditure on Research and Development GERD: A measure of total R&D spending as a percentage of GDP.
DST: Department of Science and Technology, a department within the Ministry of Science and Technology.
National Mission on Inter Disciplinary Cyber Physical System: A government initiative focused on advancing cyber-physical systems.
National Quantum Mission: A government mission focused on quantum technologies and research.
Central Nodal Agency CNA: A fund flow mechanism introduced by the Government to avoid parking of funds.
Fund for Improvement of Science and Technology Infrastructure FIST: A scheme to improve science and technology infrastructure in academic institutions.
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space
Ministry of Science & Technology
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: R&D INVESTMENT IN
INDIA
Posted On: 07 AUG 2025 3:27PM by PIB Delhi
As per the latest available R&D statistics, the total R&D expenditure measured in terms of Gross Expenditure
on Research and Development (GERD) as a percentage of GDP is 0.66%, 0.66% and 0.64% during 2018-19,
2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively.
The Gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) in the country has been consistently increasing over the years and
has more than doubled from Rs. 60,196.75 crore in 2010-11 to Rs. 127,380.96 crore in 2020-21, while, during
the same period, GDP has increased more than 2.5 times from Rs. 77,84,115 crore to Rs. 1,98,00,914 crore.
Therefore, India’s GERD as a percentage of GDP remained between 0.6% to 0.7% which is below global
average and lower than countries like China, South Korea and US. Another factor contributing to this is the
relatively low investment by India’s private sector in GERD, accounting for only around 36%, whereas in the
aforementioned countries, private sector contributions is more than 70%.
The budgetary allocation and utilization under major DST funded schemes for scientific innovation and
research institutions during 2024-25 is as under:
(Rs. in Crore)
S . 2024-25
Scheme
No. Allocation Utilisation
Science and Technology Institutional and Human
1 543.91 542.38
Capacity Building
2 Research and Development 49.13 48.41
3 Innovation, Technology Development and Deployment 326.21 325.56
National Mission on Inter Disciplinary Cyber Physical
4 815.00 715.97
System
5 National Quantum Mission 86.00 62.36
6 VigyanDhara 330.75 271.98
7 National Super Computing Mission 242.80 221.00
Total 2393.80 2187.66
To avoid parking of funds, the Government has introduced new fund flow mechanisms like Central Nodal
Agency (CNA), Hybrid Treasury Single Account (Hybrid TSA). These transitions during the last three years
led to some difficulties in disbursement of grants. However, the government has addressed these challenges
through prompt measures such as release of advance grant for fellowships, setting up of helpline desks to
address the queries and training the stakeholders about the new system. With the new mechanism now fully
operational, the disbursement process has been streamlined, and grant are being released on time.
The government has been implementing several schemes/programmes to promote scientific research and
improve funding mechanisms in State universities and higher education institutions by strengthening science
& technology (S&T) infrastructure and research capabilities. Some of the key schemes/programmes include:Fund for Improvement of Science and Technology Infrastructure (FIST); Sophisticated Analytical Instrument
Facilities (SAIF); Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes (SATHI) which can readily be
accessible to Academia; Consolidation of University Research through Innovation and Excellence in Women
Universities (CURIE) to support research infrastructure in women universities; Promotion of University
Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE); ANRF-Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research
(PAIR) Program to boost the research capability of those institutions where research is at a nascent stage but
which have the potential to perform well, in a mentorship mode by pairing them with well-established top-tier
research institutions in a hub and spoke framework; Department of Biotechnology-Boost to University
Interdisciplinary Life Science Departments for Education and Research (DBT-BUILDER) programme.
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), under its Extramural Research Scheme, provide
support to research proposals from central/state universities and R&D institutions in frontier areas of science
and technology.
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science
and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of
Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
***
NKR/PSM
(Release ID: 2153547)