India Ready To Take Steps Towards Becoming A Science Powerhouse, Says Leading Journal Nature

People watch a live stream of Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft’s landing on the moon, inside an auditorium of Gujarat Science City in Ahmedabad, India, August 23, 2023. (Reuters)

India stands at a critical juncture in the scientific revolution, poised to emerge as a global leader in groundbreaking research. This endorsement comes from none other than the leading science journal Nature, which underlines the vast potential of the world’s most populous country.

With the largest democracy gearing up for its seven-phase general election starting on April 19, the UK-based outlet, in a recent piece, highlighted the country’s capacity to transform its science funding landscape and propel itself into the cutting-edge sector. “Along with being an economic power, India is also more than ready to take the next step towards becoming a science powerhouse. This is not yet a given, but it can happen,” it argues.

This bullish view comes in the wake of the International Monetary Fund’s applause for India for maintaining fiscal discipline in an election year, saying that the Indian economy is doing well and continues to be the world’s bright spot. “At this point in time, India’s economy is doing well. Growth at 6.8 percent is very good. Inflation’s coming down. We have to make sure that inflation comes down to target and it is there on a durable basis. Macro fundamentals look pretty good,” Krishna Srinivasan, Director, Asia and Pacific Department, at the IMF said.

Untapped Potential of Science

Beyond economic prowess lies the untapped potential of India’s scientific community, says the science publication in an article published on April 16. This positive outlook comes as India stands among the world’s most prolific countries in terms of research output, after the United States and China. “From 2014 to 2021, the number of universities increased from 760 to 1,113. In the past decade, 7 more Indian Institutes of Technology — the country’s network of education and research centres — have been set up, raising the total to 23,” it adds.

Researchers have long advocated for greater autonomy and increased funding to bridge the glaring gaps in India’s research landscape. According to Nature, the key lies in fostering collaboration between the government, private sector, and academia to bolster science spending. Encouraging businesses to contribute more to research funding, akin to leading economies, could inject momentum into India’s scientific endeavors, according to the journal.

The article also notes India’s strides in the pharma sector, exemplified by the country’s role in supplying affordable medicines during the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, it highlights the country’s burgeoning academic infrastructure, with a surge in universities and research institutes, providing a solid foundation for future growth. Notably, the UK-based outlet also flags India’s current research spending, which remains disproportionately low. Standing at a mere 0.64% of GDP, high-income countries, in comparison, allocate around 2.7% of GDP to research and development.

One striking aspect of India’s research landscape, which the popular journal notes is the reliance on public sector funding, with minimal contributions from the private sector. Unlike comparable nations where private sector funding significantly drives research initiatives, India’s private sector remains underutilised. It says that the recent establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) signifies a step in the right direction, aiming to disburse funds from both governmental and non-governmental sources to bolster research efforts.