Workshop by DST and FICCI stresses need for industry data to shape evidence-based policies and boost innovation
New Delhi, The Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) jointly organized a workshop on India’s National Survey of Resources Devoted to Scientific and Technological Activities for 2024-25. The discussion underscored one central point: India’s science and technology ecosystem cannot progress without stronger participation from the private sector, especially through accurate and timely data sharing.
The workshop gathered representatives from government, industry, academia, and international organizations, all emphasizing the value of reliable data in shaping evidence-based policies. Dr. Arvind Kumar, who heads DST’s National Science, Technology & Management Information System (NSTMIS), called on industries to actively contribute, noting that the survey’s impact depends on higher response rates and better data quality. He compared India’s scenario with advanced economies, where private companies account for 70–75% of R&D spending, while in India, the share is just 36.5%. India currently spends around 0.64% of GDP on R&D, though total spending has more than doubled in the past decade—from about ₹60,000 crore in 2010-11 to over ₹1.27 lakh crore in 2020-21.
Highlighting government efforts, Dr. Kumar pointed to the proposed ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development & Innovation (RDI) Fund. The fund will provide long-term, low-cost financing for companies and startups in areas like clean energy, AI, robotics, quantum computing, medical technology, and digital agriculture, aiming to reduce risks and encourage private R&D investment.
Other speakers stressed both challenges and solutions. Vinay Kumar of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research noted that despite India having over 3 lakh registered firms, only about 40,000 are tracked for R&D activity. He urged companies to see data submission as a national responsibility. UNESCO’s Shailendra Sigdel underlined the need for incentives and adherence to global standards, warning that poor data weakens outcomes. Former NSTMIS chief Dr. Praveen Arora echoed the concern, recommending simplified survey formats and assurance of confidentiality to win industry trust.
Industry voices brought practical insights. IBM India’s Sankalp Sinha emphasized clearer definitions in R&D reporting and wider access to survey results. Forus Health’s S. Venkatakrishnan argued for long-term R&D investment in critical sectors and suggested turning data submission into a collaborative exercise. From the pharma sector, Mankind’s Ayekansh Tyagi suggested linking data submission to eligibility for grants, using student interns for data collection, and drawing lessons from China’s fiscal incentives and supply-chain models.
The workshop concluded with broad agreement: India needs more private sector participation and better-quality data in its national S&T survey to design effective policies, strengthen innovation, and support the country’s growth goals.
National S&T Survey
Managed by DST’s NSTMIS, the survey collects data on scientific and technological resources—mainly R&D—across public and private sectors. The 2024-25 survey will cover about 8,000 organizations, including multinationals, universities, research institutions, NGOs, and SIROs. Conducted online, it uses standardized questionnaires on expenditures, manpower, and institutional details, with secure login systems to ensure authenticity.
