Science and R&D

India has positioned itself as among the top five nations in the field of space exploration.

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Last Updated: April 19, 2018

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Science & Technology Industry Analysis

Latest update: April, 2018

India’s R&D investments increased to US$ 71.48 billion in 2016 from US$ 66.49 billion in 2015.
R&D investments have helped Indian companies to overcome tight competition with affordable products internationally.

Note: R&D - Research and Development
Source: Nature Magazine, Battelle

Robust growth in India's Engineering exports over the years

India’s share of global R&D spending rose to 3.67 per cent in 2016 from to be at 3.53 per cent in 2015. It is further expected to rise to 3.75% in 2017.
As of March 2017, World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) stated that India is emerging as a leader in frugal and demand driven innovation among various countries across the globe.
In May 2017, the central government has introduced various startup intellectual property protection schemes with an aim to ease patent filing for startups and promote awareness and adoption of IP rights. 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.

Notes: R&D - Research and Development, IPR - Intellectual Property Rights, IP - Intellectual Property

Robust growth in India's Engineering exports over the years

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Last Updated: April, 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 and ranks 12th in terms of the number of patents filed with 24,898 patents filed in FY17. 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. The number of Indian scientists coming back to India to undertake research opportunities has risen from 243 between 2007-12 to 649 between 2012-17.

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. More than one-third of the top 1,000 global R&D spenders have centres in India. The number of projects funded under the Nano mission has increased from 38 in FY15 to 56 in FY16 to 67 in FY17, mission aims to develop infrastructure for nano science and technology research. 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. 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.