National Policy for Science and Technology
The thrust of the Scientific Policy Resolution, 1958 was on capacity-building in advancement of science as the foundation for making a strong nation, which had just freed itself from the shackles of colonial domination . The focus of the Technology Policy Statement, 1983 was attainment of technological self-reliance and building of national strength by reducing vulnerability in strategic areas .
The Science and Technology Policy, 2003 launched a massive programme for attracting our best talents to the arena of research in basic sciences, so that India continues to earn respect in a competitive knowledge Society.
The Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP), 2013 has put our science, technology an innovation (STI) system as the driver for faster, sustainable and Growth-3/”>Inclusive Growth .
The latest policy envisages creation of a new STI ecosystem, which finds solutions to societal problems and facilitates the entire innovation chain from knowledge to wealth creation, while at the same time attracting best students to this area, ensuring a premier position for India in the scientific world.
Investments in Science and Technology
- Global investments in science, technology and innovation are estimated at $1.2 trillion as of 2009. India’s R&D Investment is less than 2.5% of this and is currently under 1 % of the GDP.
- Increasing Gross Expenditure in Research and Development (GERD) to 2% of the GDP has been a national goal for some time.
- Achieving this in the next five years is realizable if the private sector raises its R&D investment to at least match the public sector R&D investment from the current ratio of around 1 :3. The new paradigm is “Science technology and innovation for the people”.
Position in Research Publications
- The gross budgetary support for the science and technology sector has significantly increased during the last decade. The impact of such increase is becoming evident.
- India ranks ninth globally in the number of scientific publications and 12th in the number of patents filed. The Composite Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of Indian publications is around 12±1% and India’s global share has increased from 1.8% in 2001 to 3.5% in 2011.
- But the Percentage of Indian publications in the top 1 % impact making journals is only 2.5%.
- By 2020, the global share of publications must double and the number of papers in the top 1 % journals must quadruple from the current levels.
Key Elements:
- Promoting the spread of scientific temper amongst all sections of society.
- Enhancing skill for applications of science among the young from all social strata.
- Making careers in science, research and innovation attractive enough for talented and bright minds.
- Establishing world class Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE for R&D for gaining global Leadership in some select frontier areas of science.
- Positioning India among the top five global scientific powers by 2020.
- Linking contributions of science, research and innovation system with the inclusive economic growth agenda and combining priorities of excellence and relevance.
- Creating an Environment for enhanced Private Sector Participation in R&D.
- Enabling conversion of R&D outputs into societal and commercial applications by replicating hitherto successful models as well as establishing of new PPP structures.
- Seeding S&T-based high-risk innovations through new mechanisms.
- Fostering resource-optimized, cost-effective innovations across size and technology domains.
- Triggering changes in the mindset and value systems to recognize, respect and reward performances which create wealth from S& T derived knowledge.
- Creating a robust national innovation system
Focus of the Policy
- Facilitating private sector investment in R&D centres in India and overseas.
- Promoting establishment of large R&D facilities in PPP mode with provisions for benefits sharing.
- Permitting multi stakeholders participation in the Indian R&D system.
- Treating R&D in the private sector at par with public institutions for availing public funds. Bench marking of R&D funding mechanisms and patterns globally.
- Modifying IPR policy to provide for marching rights for social good when supported by public funds and for co-sharing IPRs generated under PPP.
- Launching newer mechanisms for nurturing Technology Business Incubators (TBls) and science-led Entrepreneurship.
- Providing incentives for commercialization of innovations with focus on green manufacturing Important Observations Policy places greater thrust on innovation, establishing research institutes and encourage Women scientists with an aim to position itself among the top five scientific powers in the world by 2020.
- It talks about modifying the intellectual property regime to provide for marching rights for social good when supported by public funds and co-sharing of patents generated in the public private PARTNERSHIP mode.
- Aims at producing and nurturing talent in science, to stimulate research in universities, to develop young leaders in the field of science and to reward performance.
- Seeks to create a policy environment for greater private sector participation in research and innovation and to forge international alliances and collaborations to meet the national agenda.
- Talks of raising gross expenditure in R&D to two per cent of GDP from the current one per cent in this decade by encouraging enhanced private sector contribution.
- Seeks to trigger an ecosystem for innovative abilities to flourish by leveraging partnerships among diverse stakeholders and by encouraging and facilitating enterprises to invest in innovations.
Criticism:
The policy hardly describes any structural or procedural changes which will achieve the grand goal of integrating science, technology and innovation to create value in an inclusive manner.
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Science and technology policy is a set of principles and guidelines that guide the development and use of science and technology in a country. The policy is designed to promote economic growth, social welfare, and national security. The policy is also designed to ensure that science and technology are used in a responsible and ethical manner.
The national policy of science and technology is developed by the government and is implemented by a variety of government agencies. The policy is also influenced by the private sector, academia, and the public.
The national policy of science and technology is constantly evolving as new technologies emerge and as the needs of the country change. The policy is also influenced by changes in the global environment.
The following are some of the changes that have been made to the national policy of science and technology in recent years:
- Increased emphasis on research and development
- Increased focus on commercialization of research
- Increased international cooperation in science and technology
- Increased emphasis on ethics in science and technology
- Increased emphasis on public engagement in science and technology
Increased emphasis on research and development:
The government has increased its investment in research and development (R&D) in recent years. This investment is designed to promote economic growth and innovation. The government has also made it easier for businesses to conduct R&D by providing tax breaks and other incentives.
Increased focus on commercialization of research:
The government has also increased its focus on the commercialization of research. This means that the government is working to ensure that the results of R&D are turned into products and Services that can be used by businesses and consumers. The government has done this by providing funding for start-ups and small businesses, and by creating tax breaks for businesses that invest in R&D.
Increased international cooperation in science and technology:
The government has also increased its cooperation with other countries in science and technology. This cooperation is designed to share knowledge and Resources, and to promote innovation. The government has done this by signing agreements with other countries, and by funding joint research projects.
Increased emphasis on ethics in science and technology:
The government has also increased its emphasis on ethics in science and technology. This means that the government is working to ensure that science and technology are used in a responsible and ethical manner. The government has done this by developing codes of ethics, and by funding research on the ethical implications of new technologies.
Increased emphasis on public engagement in science and technology:
The government has also increased its emphasis on public engagement in science and technology. This means that the government is working to ensure that the public is aware of the benefits and risks of science and technology, and that the public has a say in how science and technology are used. The government has done this by funding public Education programs, and by creating opportunities for the public to participate in scientific research.
The national policy of science and technology is an important tool for promoting economic growth, social welfare, and national security. The policy is constantly evolving as new technologies emerge and as the needs of the country change. The government is working to ensure that the national policy of science and technology is effective in meeting the challenges of the 21st century.
What is science and technology policy?
Science and technology policy is a set of government actions that influence the development and use of science and technology. It can include funding for research, regulation of new technologies, and education and training in science and engineering.
What are the goals of science and technology policy?
The goals of science and technology policy can vary depending on the country and the time period. Some common goals include:
- Promoting economic growth and development
- Improving public Health and safety
- Protecting the environment
- Advancing national security
How is science and technology policy made?
Science and technology policy is made by a variety of actors, including governments, businesses, universities, and non-governmental organizations. The process of making science and technology policy can be complex and often involves negotiation and compromise among different stakeholders.
What are some of the challenges facing science and technology policy?
Some of the challenges facing science and technology policy include:
- The rapid pace of technological change
- The increasing Globalization/”>Globalization-3/”>Globalization of science and technology
- The need to balance economic and social goals
- The need to address ethical issues raised by new technologies
What are some of the recent changes in science and technology policy?
In recent years, there has been a growing focus on the importance of science and technology for economic growth and development. This has led to increased funding for research and development, as well as efforts to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. There has also been a growing emphasis on the need to address ethical issues raised by new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and gene editing.
What are some of the future trends in science and technology policy?
Some of the future trends in science and technology policy include:
- The increasing importance of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies
- The growing role of data and analytics in decision-making
- The need to address the ethical and social implications of new technologies
- The need to ensure that everyone has access to the benefits of science and technology
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The National Science Foundation (NSF) is a federal agency that supports fundamental research and education in all fields of science and engineering. Which of the following is NOT a goal of the NSF?
(A) To advance the progress of science and engineering
(B) To promote the progress of education in science and engineering
(C) To foster and support research and education in all fields of science and engineering
(D) To promote the use of science and engineering for the general welfare -
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a federal agency that supports medical research. Which of the following is NOT a goal of the NIH?
(A) To improve the health of the people of the United States
(B) To conduct and support biomedical research
(C) To train biomedical researchers
(D) To provide information about biomedical research to the public -
The Department of Energy (DOE) is a federal agency that oversees the nation’s energy policy. Which of the following is NOT a goal of the DOE?
(A) To ensure the security of the nation’s energy supply
(B) To promote the development of new energy technologies
(C) To reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil
(D) To protect the environment from the effects of energy production and use -
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is a federal agency that is responsible for the nation’s civilian space program. Which of the following is NOT a goal of NASA?
(A) To explore the universe
(B) To develop new technologies for space exploration
(C) To promote the commercialization of space
(D) To protect the Earth from asteroid impacts -
The United States Department of Defense (DoD) is the federal agency responsible for the nation’s military. Which of the following is NOT a goal of the DoD?
(A) To provide for the common defense
(B) To deter aggression against the United States and its allies
(C) To prepare the armed forces for war
(D) To promote the development of new military technologies -
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the federal agency responsible for protecting the United States from terrorism and other threats. Which of the following is NOT a goal of the DHS?
(A) To prevent terrorist attacks
(B) To protect the nation’s critical infrastructure
(C) To respond to natural disasters
(D) To secure the nation’s borders -
The United States Department of State is the federal agency responsible for the nation’s Foreign Policy. Which of the following is NOT a goal of the State Department?
(A) To promote the national interest of the United States
(B) To protect the rights of American citizens abroad
(C) To promote Democracy and Human Rights around the world
(D) To negotiate treaties with other countries -
The United States Department of the Treasury is the federal agency responsible for the nation’s finances. Which of the following is NOT a goal of the Treasury Department?
(A) To collect taxes
(B) To manage the nation’s debt
(C) To print Money
(D) To regulate banks -
The United States Department of Justice is the federal agency responsible for enforcing the nation’s laws. Which of the following is NOT a goal of the Justice Department?
(A) To investigate and prosecute crimes
(B) To defend the nation in court
(C) To protect the civil rights of all Americans
(D) To enforce immigration laws -
The United States Department of agriculture (USDA) is the federal agency responsible for the nation’s food and agriculture. Which of the following is NOT a goal of the USDA?
(A) To ensure a safe and abundant food supply
(B) To promote agricultural trade
(C) To support rural communities
(D) To protect the environment