Science and R&D

India ranked 13th in Nature Index 2017 based high quality research in natural sciences.

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Last Updated: August 20, 2018

Science & Technology Industry Analysis

Latest update: August, 2018

India's share of global R&D spending rose to 3.64 per cent in 2016 from 3.48 per cent in 2015. It is further expected to rise to 3.75 per cent in 2017.
To facilitate protection and commercialising of IPRs, these schemes will be providing access to high-quality Intellectual Property services and resources. Moreover, under these schemes, the central government bears the fees of the facilitators for patents, trademarks or designs that a startup may file. Startups only have to bear the cost of the statutory fees payable.
India was ranked 13 in CY 2017 by Nature Index, which publishes tables based on counts of high-quality research outputs based on natural sciences in the previous year.

Notes: CAGR - Compound Annual Growth Rate, PPP - Purchasing Power Parity, R&D – Research and Development, E – Estimate, F – Forecast
Source: R&D Magazine, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, CIA Fact Book, OECD, Department of Science and Technology

Cumulative Foreign Direct Investments in scientific instruments increased to US$ 260.46 million in December 2017 from US$ 10.81 million in FY08, leading to significant amount of technology transfer through industrial acquisitions.
For instance, Lupin’s total number of patent filings reached 2,837 in FY17 up from 600 in FY08. In FY17, the company filed 39 formulation patents, 128 API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient), 42 in the field of biotech and 103 NDDD patent applications.
As of January 2017, Indian inventors contributed 658 patents to IBM, to help global software giant top the list for US patent recipients in 2016. IBM filed a total of 8,088 US patents, followed by Samsung Electronics in the 2nd position, with 5,518 patents.

Notes: NDDD–Novel Drug Discovery and Development, FY18*-Up to December 2017
Source: Reserve Bank of India, Department Of Industrial Policy and Promotion(DIPP)

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Last Updated: August, 2018

India has a strong network of science and technology institutions and trained manpower. It has the third-largest scientific and technical manpower in the world with 162 universities awarding over 4,000 doctorates degrees and 35,000 post graduate degrees annually. India’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) increased from Rs 65,961.33 crore (US$ 14.07 billion) in 2011-12 to Rs 104,864.03 crore (US$ 16.27 billion) in 2016-17.

India is among the top-ranking countries in the field of basic research. In 2017, patent applications by Indian start-ups increased 15 times to 909 from 61 in 2016. India was ranked 13 in 2017 by Nature Index, which publishes tables based on counts of high-quality research outputs based on natural sciences in 2016. IBM’s India inventors contributed over 800 patents in year 2017, making India the second highest contributor after the US region. In May 2018, CISR was awarded Clarivate Analytics India Innovation Award 2018 in the Government Research Organizations Category.

India has been strengthening its position in research through investment. India‘s R&D globalisation and services market is expected to reach US$ 38 billion by 2020. India’s R&D investments are forecasted to increase to US$ 83.27 billion in 2018 from an estimated US$ 76.91 billion in 2017. In February 2018, the Union Cabinet has approved implementation of 'Prime Minister Research Fellows (PMRF)' scheme, which will promote the mission of development through innovation, at a total cost of Rs 1,650 crore (US$ 245.94 million) for a period of seven years beginning 2018-19.India is world’s third largest technology start up hub with incorporation of 1,000 new companies in 2017.The Government of India is extensively promoting research parks technology business incubators (TBIs) and (RPs) which would promote the innovative ideas till they become commercial ventures. In July 2018, Atal Innovation Mission along with MyGov launched “Innovate India Platform” with the aim of providing a common point for all the innovation happening across India.