- India, ranked 38th in the Global Innovation Index 2025, contributes 3.5% of global research output, driven by institutions like ISRO, DRDO, and CSIR. Science and technology now anchor India’s $250 billion knowledge economy, advancing its goal of self-reliant, sustainable growth.
Achievements of Indian Scientists
- C.V. Raman (1930): Discovered the Raman Effect, earning India’s first and only Nobel Prize in Science while working entirely in India.
- Homi J. Bhabha: Founded the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and laid the foundations of India’s nuclear and atomic energy programme.
- Vikram Sarabhai: Known as the Father of the Indian Space Programme, established ISRO and promoted the use of space technology for national development.
- S. Chandrasekhar: Developed the Chandrasekhar Limit in stellar astrophysics; won the 1983 Nobel Prize (as a U.S. citizen of Indian origin).
- M.S. Swaminathan: Spearheaded the Green Revolution, ensuring India’s food security and transforming its agricultural productivity.
- A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: Advanced missile technology and indigenous defence systems, integrating science with national policy and development.
- Har Gobind Khorana: Synthesised the first artificial gene and won the 1968 Nobel Prize in Medicine, highlighting Indian contributions to molecular biology.
Achievements of Indian Institutions
- ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation): Achieved global acclaim for cost-effective space missions, including Chandrayaan-3 and Mangalyaan.
- IISc Bengaluru: Premier centre for fundamental research and cutting-edge innovation in physics, materials science, and engineering.
- IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology): Globally recognised hubs for STEM education, research, and technology-driven entrepreneurship.
- CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research): Network of 37 labs driving research in chemicals, energy, materials, and biotechnology.
- Serum Institute of India: World’s largest vaccine manufacturer, crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic through Covishield production.
- DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation): Pioneered indigenous missile, radar, and defence systems under projects like Agni and Tejas.
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC): Central to India’s nuclear technology and isotope applications in medicine and energy.
- National Innovation Foundation (NIF): Promotes grassroots and frugal innovations, integrating science with local problem-solving.
Barriers to India’s Scientific Excellence
- Bureaucratic Leadership: Leadership prioritises hierarchy over creativity, curbing institutional autonomy. E.g., Major CSIR projects face approval delays of over 12 months, discouraging innovation.
- Opaque Recruitment: Hiring is often driven by regional or personal bias rather than merit. E.g., Less than 5% of scientists under 40 in CSIR lead independent research projects (DST, 2024).
- Short-Term Funding Vision: Grants tied to immediate outcomes limit exploratory and long-term research. E.g., Grant release in India takes 3–4 times longer than in the US or EU systems.
- Risk-Averse Culture: Institutions penalise failure, pushing scientists to avoid ambitious projects.
- Overemphasis on Paper Count: Success metrics prioritise publications over patents or prototypes. E.g., India’s patent-to-publication ratio is 1:500, compared to 1:40 in the US.
- Gender Gap: Women constitute only 18% of Indian researchers (UNESCO, 2023).
- Limited Global Partnerships: Just 12% of Indian papers have foreign co-authors (Nature Index, 2024).
Way Forward
- Raise R&D Spending: Increase national R&D investment to 3% of GDP by 2030, with greater private participation. E.g. China’s 2006 Science & Innovation Plan, which spurred Nobel-grade breakthroughs.
- Transparent Hiring: Reform selection and promotion processes to focus on innovation potential. E.g. The Max Planck Society (Germany) model encourages early autonomy through independent fellowships.
- Empower Young Scientists: Open half of leadership positions (Directors, VCs, DST/DBT heads) to researchers under 50 years to enhance generational innovation.
- Shift to Impact Metrics: Evaluate performance through patents, prototypes, and translational research, not publication count. E.g.: UK’s Research Excellence Framework (REF).
- Interdisciplinary and Global Collaboration: Promote convergence research in AI, biotechnology, and materials science, and strengthen participation in Horizon Europe and the BRICS Science Network.
“Despite vast talent, India hasn’t produced a science Nobel in a century, reflecting systemic gaps. As PM Modi noted, ‘Science is the path to prosperity,’ enhanced R&D, merit-led leadership, and global collaboration can make India an innovation powerhouse.”
Reference: Indian Express
UPSC Mains PYQs – Theme – Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology
- [UPSC 2019] How has India benefited from the contributions of Sir M. Visvesvaraya and Dr M. S. Swaminathan in the fields of water engineering and agricultural science, respectively?
- [UPSC 2018] Discuss the work of ‘Bose-Einstein Statistics’ done by Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it revolutionised the field of Physics.
- [UPSC 2016] Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How has the application of this technology helped India in its socio-economic development?
PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 415
Approach
- Introduction: Write a contextual introduction about India’s scientific and technological progress, and also mention the key facts.
- Body: Write notable success in applied research, reasons why it lags in fundamental innovation and global recognition and suggest institutional reforms, funding models, and leadership to strengthen India’s sci-entific and technological excellence.
- Conclusion: Emphasis on a multi-pronged approach to become a superpower of the 21st century.
