A - Preamble
B - Policy Objectives
C -
Strategy and Implementation Plan
Science and Technology Governance and Investments
Optimal Utilization of Existing Infrastructure and Competence
Strengthening of the Infrastructure for Science and Technology in Academic Institutions
New Funding Mechanisms for Basic Research
Human Resource Development
Technology Development, Transfer and Diffusion
Promotion of Innovation
Industry and Scientific R&D
Indigenous Resources and Traditional Knowledge
Technologies for Mitigation and Management of Natural Hazards
Generation and Management of Intellectual Property
Public Awareness of Science and Technology
International Science and Technology Cooperation
Fiscal Measures
Monitoring
The New Vision
Science and technology have profoundly influenced the course of human civilization. Science has provided us remarkable insights into the world we live in. The scientific revolutions of the 20th century have led to many technologies, which promise to herald wholly new eras in many fields. As we stand today at the beginning of a new century, we have to ensure fullest use of these developments for the well being of our people.
Science and technology have been an integral part of Indian civilization and culture over the past several millennia. Few are aware that India was the fountainhead of important foundational scientific developments and approaches. These cover many great scientific discoveries and technological achievements in mathematics, astronomy, architecture, chemistry, metallurgy, medicine, natural philosophy and other areas. A great deal of this traveled outwards from India. Equally, India also assimilated scientific ideas and techniques from elsewhere, with open-mindedness and a rational attitude characteristic of a scientific ethos. India’s traditions have been founded on the principles of universal harmony, respect for all creation and an integrated holistic approach. This background is likely to provide valuable insights for future scientific advances. During the century prior to Independence, there was an awakening of modern science in India through the efforts of a number of outstanding scientists. They were responsible for great scientific advances of the highest international caliber.
In the half century since Independence, India has been committed to the task of promoting the spread of science. The key role of technology as an important element of national development is also well recognised. The Scientific Policy Resolution of 1958 and the Technology Policy Statement of 1983 enunciated the principles on which the growth of science and technology in India has been based over the past several decades. These policies have emphasized self-reliance, as also sustainable and equitable development. They embody a vision and strategy that are applicable today, and would continue to inspire us in our endeavors.
With the encouragement and support that has been provided, there is today a sound infrastructural base for science and technology. These include research laboratories, higher educational institutions and highly skilled human resource. Indian capabilities in science and technology cover an impressive range of diverse disciplines, areas of competence and of applications. India’s strength in basic research is recognized internationally. Successes in agriculture, health care, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, nuclear energy, astronomy and astrophysics, space technology and applications, defense research, biotechnology, electronics, information technology and oceanography are widely acknowledged. Major national achievements include very significant increase in food production, eradication or control of several diseases and increased life expectancy of our citizens.
While these developments have been highly satisfying, one is also aware of the dramatic changes that have taken place, and continue to do so, in the practice of science, in technology development, and their relationships with, and impact on, society.
Particularly striking is the rapidity with which science and technology is moving ahead. Science is becoming increasingly inter- and multi-disciplinary, and calls for multi-institutional and, in several cases, multi-country participation. Major experimental facilities, even in several areas of basic research, require very large material, human and intellectual resources. Science and technology have become so closely intertwined, and so reinforce each other that, to be effective, any policy needs to view them together. The continuing revolutions in the field of information and communication technology have had profound impact on the manner and speed with which scientific information becomes available, and scientific interactions take place.
Science and technology have had unprecedented impact on economic growth and social development. Knowledge has become a source of economic might and power. This has led to increased restrictions on sharing of knowledge, to new norms of intellectual property rights, and to global trade and technology control regimes. Scientific and technological developments today also have deep ethical, legal and social implications. There are deep concerns in society about these. The ongoing globalisation and the intensely competitive environment have a significant impact on the production and services sectors.
Because of all this, our science and technology system has to be infused with new vitality if it is to play a decisive and beneficial role in advancing the well being of all sections of our society. The nation continues to be firm in its resolve to support science and technology in all its facets. It recognizes its central role in raising the quality of life of the people of the country, particularly of the disadvantaged sections of society, in creating wealth for all, in making India globally competitive, in utilizing natural resources in a sustainable manner, in protecting the environment and ensuring national security.
Recognizing the changing context of the scientific enterprise, and to meet present national needs in the new era of globalisation, Government enunciates the following objectives of its Science and Technology Policy:
To ensure that the message of science reaches every citizen of India, man and woman, young and old, so that we advance scientific temper, emerge as a progressive and enlightened society, and make it possible for all our people to participate fully in the development of science and technology and its application for human welfare. Indeed, science and technology will be fully integrated with all spheres of national activity.
To ensure food, agricultural, nutritional, environmental, water, health and energy security of the people on a sustainable basis.
To mount a direct and sustained effort on the alleviation of poverty, enhancing livelihood security, removal of hunger and malnutrition, reduction of drudgery and regional imbalances, both rural and urban, and generation of employment, by using scientific and technological capabilities along with our traditional knowledge pool. This will call for the generation and screening of all relevant technologies, their widespread dissemination through networking and support for the vast unorganized sector of our economy.
To vigorously foster scientific research in universities and other academic, scientific and engineering institutions; and attract the brightest young persons to careers in science and technology, by conveying a sense of excitement concerning the advancing frontiers, and by creating suitable employment opportunities for them. Also to build and maintain centres of excellence, which will raise the level of work in selected areas to the highest international standards.
To promote the empowerment of women in all science and technology activities and ensure their full and equal participation.
To provide necessary autonomy and freedom of functioning for all academic and R&D institutions so that an ambience for truly creative work is encouraged, while ensuring at the same time that the science and technology enterprise in the country is fully committed to its social responsibilities and commitments.
To use the full potential of modern science and technology to protect, preserve, evaluate, update, add value to, and utilize the extensive knowledge acquired over the long civilizational experience of India.
To accomplish national strategic and security-related objectives, by using the latest advances in science and technology.
To encourage research and innovation in areas of relevance for the economy and society, particularly by promoting close and productive interaction between private and public institutions in science and technology. Sectors such as agriculture (particularly soil and water management, human and animal nutrition, fisheries), water, health, education, industry, energy including renewable energy, communication and transportation would be accorded highest priority. Key leverage technologies such as information technology, biotechnology and materials science and technology would be given special importance.
To substantially strengthen enabling mechanisms that relate to technology development, evaluation, absorption and upgradation from concept to utilization.
To establish an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) regime which maximises the incentives for the generation and protection of intellectual property by all types of inventors. The regime would also provide a strong, supportive and comprehensive policy environment for speedy and effective domestic commercialisation of such inventions so as to be maximal in the public interest.
To ensure, in an era in which information is key to the development of science and technology, that all efforts are made to have high-speed access to information, both in quality and quantity, at affordable costs; and also create digitized, valid and usable content of Indian origin.
To encourage research and application for forecasting, prevention and mitigation of natural hazards, particularly, floods, cyclones, earthquakes, drought and landslides.
To promote international science and technology cooperation towards achieving the goals of national development and security, and make it a key element of our international relations.
To
integrate scientific knowledge with insights from other disciplines, and ensure
fullest involvement of scientists and technologists in national governance so
that the spirit and methods of scientific enquiry permeate deeply into all
areas of public
policy making.
It is recognized that these objectives will be best realized
by a dynamic and flexible Science and Technology Policy, which can readily
adapt to the rapidly changing world order. This Policy, reiterates India’s
commitment to participate as an equal and vigorous global player in generating
and harnessing advances in science and technology for the benefit of all
humankind.
Keeping in view these broad objectives, it is essential to spell out an implementation strategy that will enable identification of specific plans, programmes and projects, with clearly defined tasks, estimates of necessary resources, and time targets. Some of the key elements of the implementation strategy will be as follows: -
Suitable mechanism will be evolved by
which independent inputs on science and technology policy and planning are
obtained on a continuous basis from a wide cross section of scientists and
technologists. It will utilize the academies and specialized professional
bodies for this purpose. These inputs will form an integral part of the
planning and implementation of all programmes relating to science and
technology, as also in government decision making and formulation of policies
in socio-economic sectors.
A greater integration of the programmes
in socio-economic sectors with R&D activities will go a long way in
ensuring a wider, more visible and tangible impact. This will call for a
certain percentage of the overall allocation of each of the socio-economic
ministries to be devoted for relevant programmes and activities in science and
technology. The States will also be encouraged and assisted in the use of
science and technology for developmental purposes through mechanisms set up for
this, and in establishing linkages with national institutions for solving their
regional and locale-specific problems.
A concerted strategy is necessary to
infuse a new sense of dynamism in our science and technology institutions. The
science departments, agencies and other academic institutions, including
universities i.e. the science and technology system as a whole, would be
substantially strengthened, given full autonomy and flexibility, and
de-bureaucratized.
Mechanisms will be established to review
on a continuous basis the academic and administrative structures and procedures
in the science and technology system at all levels, so that reforms could be
effected to meet the challenges of the changing needs.
It will be ensured that all highly
science-based Ministries/Departments of Government are run by scientists and
technologists. All the major socio-economic Ministries will have high-level
scientific advisory mechanisms.
Government will ensure continued
existence of an Apex S&T Advisory Body which will assist in formulating and
implementing various programmes and policies. It will have appropriate
representation of industry leaders, leading scientists and technologists and
various scientific departments.
Government will make necessary budgetary
commitments for higher education and science and technology. It will, through
its own resources and also through contribution by industry, raise the level of
investment to at least 2% of GDP on science and technology by the end of the
Tenth Plan. For this, it is essential for industry to steeply increase its
investments in R&D. This will enable it to be competitive, achieve greater
self-reliance and self-confidence, and fulfill national goals.
Science and technology is advancing at a
very fast pace, and obsolescence of physical infrastructure, as also of skills
and competence, take place rapidly. Steps will be taken to network the existing
infrastructure, investments and intellectual strengths, wherever they exist, to
achieve effective and optimal utilization, and constantly upgrade them to meet
changing needs.
A major
initiative to modernize the infrastructure for science and engineering in
academic institutions will be undertaken. It will be ensured that all middle
and high schools, vocational and other colleges will have appropriately sized
science laboratories. Science, engineering and medical departments in academic
institutions and universities and colleges will be selected for special support
to raise the standard of teaching and research. To begin with, a significant
number of academic institutions, specially the universities, as also
engineering and medical institutions, would be selected for this support to
make an impact. Flexible mechanisms for induction of new faculty in key areas
of science would be developed. Constancy of support and attention will be
ensured over at least a ten-year period.
The setting up of more efficient funding
mechanisms will be examined, either by creating new structures or by
strengthening or restructuring the existing ones, for promotion of basic
research in science, medical and engineering institutions. In particular,
administrative and financial procedures will be simplified to permit efficient
operation of research programmes in diverse institutions across the country.
Creation of world
class facilities in carefully selected and nationally relevant fields will be
undertaken, to enhance our international competitiveness in areas where we have
strengths, opportunities or natural advantages. Indigenous expertise will be
used to the maximum extent possible. This would help in nurturing high quality
talent and expertise in experimental science and engineering.
The number of scientists and
technologists, while being large in absolute numbers, is not commensurate with
the requirements in quality and when measured on a per capita basis. The demand
is bound to increase in the coming years with more intensive activities
involving science and technology. There is need to progressively increase the
rate of generation of high quality skilled human resource at all levels. This
process would naturally entail reversing the present flow of talent away from
science, by initiating new and innovative schemes to attract and nurture young
talent with an aptitude for research, and by providing assured career
opportunities in academia, industry, Government or other sectors.In order to encourage quality and productivity
in science and technology, mobility of scientists and technologists between
industry, academic institutions and research laboratories will be ensured.
For building up the human resource base
in relevant areas, the agencies and departments concerned with science and
technology will make available substantial funding from their allocation.
Flexible mechanisms will be put in place in academic and research institutions
to enable researchers to change fields and bring new inputs into traditional disciplines,
and also to develop inter-disciplinary areas. There will be emphasis on a
continuing process of retraining and reskilling to keep pace with the rapid
advances taking place. Wherever considered necessary, training abroad will be
resorted to, so as to build up a skilled base rapidly.
Women constitute almost half the
population of the country. They must be provided significantly greater
opportunities for higher education and skills that are needed to take up
R&D as a career. For this, new procedures, and flexibility in rules and
regulations, will be introduced to meet their special needs.
New mechanisms would be instituted to
facilitate the return of scientists and technologists of Indian origin to
India, as also their networking, to contribute to Indian science and
technology.
Schemes for continuing education and
training of university and college teachers in contemporary research techniques
and in emerging areas of science will be strengthened and new innovative
programmes started.
It will also be ensured that higher
education is available to the widest possible section of creative students,
transcending social and economic barriers.
A strong base of science and engineering
research provides a crucial foundation for a vibrant programme of technology
development. Priority will be placed on the development of technologies which
address the basic needs of the population; make Indian industries — small,
medium or large — globally competitive; make the country economically strong;
and address the security concerns of the nation. Special emphasis will be
placed on equity in development, so that the benefits of technological growth
reach the majority of the population, particularly the disadvantaged sections, leading
to an improved quality of life for every citizen of the country. These aspects
require technology foresight, which involves not only forecasting and
assessment of technologies but also their social, economic and environmental
consequences.
The growth rate in productivity of the
Indian economy has been below its true potential, and the contribution to it of
technological factors is inadequate. Similarly, Indian exports today derive
their comparative advantage through resource and labour rather than through the
power of technological innovation. The transformation of new ideas into
commercial successes is of vital importance to the nation’s ability to achieve
high economic growth and global competitiveness. Accordingly, special emphasis
will be given not only to R&D and the technological factors of innovation,
but also to the other equally important social, institutional and market
factors needed for adoption, diffusion and transfer of innovation to the
productive sectors.
Intensive efforts will be launched to
develop innovative technologies of a breakthrough nature; and to increase our
share of high-tech products. Aggressive international bench-marking will be
carried out. Simultaneously, efforts will be made to strengthen traditional
industry so as to meet the new requirements of competition through the use of
appropriate science and technology. This industry is particularly important as
it provides employment at lower per capita investment, involves low energy
inputs, and carries with it unique civilizational traditions and culture. Value
addition, and creation of wealth through reassessment, redistribution and
repositioning of our intellectual, capital and material resource will be
achieved through effective use of science and technology.
Deriving value from technology-led
exports and export of technologies will be facilitated through new policy
initiatives, incentives and legislation. This will include intensive networking
of capabilities and facilities within the country.
Rigid Quality Standards, and Accreditation
of testing and calibration laboratories according to international
requirements, will be given an enhanced push to enable Indian industry to avoid
non-tariff barriers in global trade.
A comprehensive
and well-orchestrated programme relating to education, R&D and training in
all aspects of technology management will be launched. To begin with, Indian
Institutes of Management (IIMs), Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and
other selected institutions will be encouraged to initiate these programmes.
Innovation
will be supported in all its aspects. A comprehensive national system of
innovation will be created covering science and technology as also legal,
financial and other related aspects. There is need to change the ways in which
society and economy performs, if innovation has to fructify.
Every
effort will be made to achieve synergy between industry and scientific
research. Autonomous Technology Transfer Organizations will be created as
associate organizations of universities and national laboratories to facilitate
transfer of the know-how generated to industry. Increased encouragement will be
given, and flexible mechanisms will be evolved to help, scientists and
technologists to transfer the know-how generated by them to the industry and be
a partner in receiving the financial returns. Industry will be encouraged to
financially adopt or support educational and research institutions, fund
courses of interest to them, create professional chairs etc. to help direct
S&T endeavours towards tangible industrial goals.
There has to be
increased investments by industry in R&D in its own interest to achieve
global competitiveness to be efficient and relevant. Efforts by industry to
carry out R&D, either in-house or through outsourcing, will be supported by
fiscal and other measures. To increase their investments in R&D, innovative
mechanisms will be evolved.
Indigenous knowledge, based on our long
and rich tradition, would be further developed and harnessed for the purpose of
wealth and employment generation. Innovative systems to document, protect,
evaluate and to learn from India’s rich heritage of traditional knowledge of
the natural resources of land, water and bio-diversity will be strengthened and
enlarged. Development of technologies that add value to India’s indigenous
resources and which provide holistic and optimal solutions that are suited to
Indian social-cultural-economic ethos will be developed.A concerted plan to
intensify research on traditional systems of medicine, so as to contribute to
fundamental advances in health care, and leading to commercialisation of
effective products will be undertaken; appropriate norms of validation and standardization
will be enforced. A purposeful programme to enhance the Indian share of the
global herbal product market will be initiated.
Science and
technology has an important role in any general strategy to address the
problems of mitigation and management of the impacts of natural hazards. A
concerted action plan to enhance predictive capabilities and preparedness for
meeting emergencies arising from floods, cyclones, earthquakes, drought,
landslides and avalanches will be drawn up. Measures will be undertaken to
promote research on natural phenomena that lead to disasters and human
activities that aggravate them. This will be with a view to developing
practical technological solutions for pre-disaster preparedness, and mitigation
and management of post- disaster situations.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), have
to be viewed, not as a self-contained and distinct domain, but rather as an
effective policy instrument that would be relevant to wide ranging
socio-economic, technological and political concepts. The generation and
fullest protection of competitive intellectual property from Indian R&D
programmes will be encouraged and promoted.
The process of globalisation is leading
to situations where the collective knowledge of societies normally used for
common good is converted to proprietary knowledge for commercial profit of a
few. Action will be taken to protect our indigenous knowledge systems,
primarily through national policies, supplemented by supportive international
action. For this purpose, IPR systems which specially protect scientific
discoveries and technological innovations arising out of such traditional
knowledge will be designed and effectively implemented.
Our legislation with regard to Patents,
Copyrights and other forms of Intellectual Property will ensure that maximum
incentives are provided for individual inventors, and to our scientific and
technological community, to undertake large scale and rapid commercialization,
at home and abroad.
The development
of skills and competence to manage IPR and leveraging its influence will be
given a major thrust. This is an area calling for significant technological
insights and legal expertise and will be handled differently from the present,
and with high priority.
There is
growing need to enhance public awareness of the importance of science and
technology in everyday life, and the directions where science and technology is
taking us. People must be able to consider the implications of emerging science
and technology options in areas which impinge directly upon their lives,
including the ethical and moral, legal, social and economic aspects. In recent
years, advances in biotechnology and information technology have dramatically
increased public interest in technology options in wide ranging areas.
Scientific work and policies arising from these have to be highly transparent
and widely understood.
Support
for wide dissemination of scientific knowledge, through the support of science
museums, planetaria, botanical gardens and the like, will be enhanced. Every
effort will be made to convey to the young the excitement in scientific and
technological advances and to instill scientific temper in the population at
large. Special support will be provided for programmes that seek to popularize
and promote science and technology in all parts of the country. Programmes will
also be developed to promote learning and dissemination of science through the
various national languages, to enable effective science communication at all
levels.
A closer
interaction of those involved in the natural sciences and technology, social
sciences, humanities and other scholarly pursuits will be facilitated to bring
about mutual reinforcement, added value and impact.
Scientific research and
technology development can benefit greatly by international cooperation and
collaboration. Common goals can be effectively addressed by pooling both
material and intellectual resources. International collaborative programmes,
especially those contributing directly to our scientific development and
security objectives, will be encouraged between academic institutions and
national laboratories in India and their counterparts in all parts of the
world, including participation in mega science projects as equal partners.
Special emphasis will be placed on collaborations with other developing
countries, and particularly neighbouring countries, with whom India shares many
common problems. International collaboration in science and technology would be
fully used to further national interests as an important component of foreign
policy initiatives.
Innovative fiscal
measures are critical to ensure successful implementation of the policy
objectives. New methods are required for incentivising R&D activities,
particularly in industry. New strategies have to be formulated for attracting
higher levels of public and private investments in scientific and technological
development. A series of both tax and non-tax fiscal instruments have to be
evolved to ensure a leap-frogging process of development. The formulation of a
focused strategy and the designing of new methods and instruments requires
inputs from economists, financial experts and management experts and
scientists. For this purpose, the apex S&T advisory body will constitute a
dedicated task-force to suggest appropriate fiscal measures to subserve the
policy objectives.
Effective, expeditious,
transparent and science-based monitoring and reviewing mechanisms will be
significantly strengthened, and wherever not available will be put in place. It
will be ensured that the scientific community is involved in, and responsible
for, smooth and speedy implementation.
To build a new and resurgent India that continues to maintain its strong democratic and spiritual traditions, that remains secure not only militarily but also socially and economically, it is important to draw on the many unique civilizational qualities that define the inner strength of India; this has been intrinsically based on an integrated and holistic view of nature and of life. The Science and Technology Policy 2003 will be implemented so as to be in harmony with our world view of the larger human family all around. It will ensure that science and technology truly uplifts the Indian people and indeed all of humanity.