Key Highlights of the Report
- India’s Global Research Output:
- 3rd globally (behind China and the USA) in scientific publications (2022).
- 1.10 lakh patents filed in 2024-25, with 62% by Indian residents.
- Indian Patent Office ranks 6th globally in resident patent filings.
- GERD Growth: Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) of India reached a record 0.84% of GDP (2023-24), up from 0.64% (2020-21).
- Overall, GERD more than tripled to ₹2.45 lakh crore (2023-24) from ₹79,356 crore (2013-14).
- Private Sector share: Rose to 45.2% (in 2023-24) from 32.2% (in 2020-21) with Transport, Pharma, Biotech & IT emerging as India's biggest R&D investors.
- Multinational Corporations (MNCs) accounted for 71.3% of business R&D in 2023-24 (up from 49.9% in 2020-21).
- Human Capital: India has ~5 lakh full-time equivalent researchers (354 per million population); women constitute 29% of the R&D workforce (up from 18.6% in 2020–21).
Way Forward
- Increase R&D Spending: Raise GERD beyond 1% of GDP, with a long-term goal of 2%.
- Broaden Private Participation: Incentivize MSMEs and more firms to invest in R&D.
- Promote Gender Inclusion: Enhance women's participation in industrial research through targeted policies.
- Strengthen Human Capital: Improve STEM education and expand doctoral fellowships to increase researchers.
- Expand Extramural Funding: Boost competitive funding and industry-academia collaboration for innovation commercialization.
