The story so far
A study evaluated innovation performance in 244 public-funded R&D organisations across India.
Organisations under defence, space, atomic energy, and academic institutions were excluded due to sensitivity or different mandates.
The study was conducted by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and Centre for Technology, Innovation, and Economic Research (CTIER).
What was the purpose of this study?
To assess whether public-funded R&D labs focus more on academic science or on innovation aligned with industry needs.
To evaluate their role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals and supporting national priorities.
To understand how they contribute to health, diversity, skilling, and employment generation in collaboration with industry and startups.
How was it conducted?
The survey used 62 parameters like R&D spend, patents, women participation, and support for national missions.
Labs identified themselves as basic, applied, services-based, or hybrid in focus.
Data was validated by the directors of each lab or institute.
What were the key findings?
Only 25% of labs supported startups and just 16% supported deep tech startups.
Collaboration with overseas industry was low (15%) and only half allowed external access to facilities.
50% contributed to national policies and technologies aligned with ‘Make in India’.
Staff numbers declined; contractual staff increased while women scientists’ share stayed unchanged.
Young researcher participation slightly increased (to 58%); overall budgets rose significantly over five years.
Does the report make recommendations?
Labs should realign their goals with ‘Viksit Bharat’ and focus on critical technologies.
Stronger collaboration with industry and among labs is needed.
Labs should create Section 8 companies (non profit organisations registered under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs) for startup support, open their facilities, and build ties with educational institutes.
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