Status of R&D Ecosystem in India

• Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) has more than doubled in 2020-21 (Rs. 127,381 crore) from 2010-11 (Rs. 60,197 crore).
  • GERD is primarily driven by government sector including central government (43.7%), State governments (6.7%), Higher Education Institutions (8.8%) during 2020–21.

Significance of R&D in educational institutes

• Through R&D, educational institutions become incubators of creativity and innovation.
• Promotes curriculum development reflecting the needs of contemporary industries.
• Catalyses societal challenges by providing solutions to issues in healthcare, environmental sustainability etc. 

Challenges in R&D system in educational Institutes

• India spends 0.64% of GDP (2020-21) on R&D, much lower than major world economies i.e. South Korea (4.8%) and the United States (3.5%).
• Greater emphasis to teaching over research. 
• Low student enrollment in advanced programs (Total enrolment in Ph.D. stood at 2.12 lakh in 2021-22- as per All India Survey on Higher Education).

Recommendations to boost R&D culture

• University/Institute level: Establishing R&D committee/cell; improving infrastructure through PPP, etc. 
• State level: Financial and decision making autonomy to universities; aligning thrust areas of research with global/regional challenges; etc. 
• Centre level: Aligning R&D initiatives with National Educational Policy, 2020; granting special status to universities/institutes in distinctive geographical regions; etc.