Science, Technology & Innovation Policy | Science & Technology for UPSC CSE PDF Download

In 2020, the draft of the 5th National Science Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) has been uploaded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) on its website.

The Science, Technology and Innovation Policy will be guided by the following broad vision; 

• To achieve technological self-reliance and position India among the top three scientific superpowers in the decade to come. 
• To attract, nurture, strengthen and retain critical human capital through a ‘people centric’ science, technology and innovation (STI) ecosystem. 
• To double the number of Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) researchers, Gross Domestic Expenditure on R&D (GERD) and private sector contribution to the GERD every 5 years. 
• To build individual and institutional excellence in STI with the aspiration to achieve the highest level of global recognition and awards in the coming decade.

This Policy will replace the Science Technology and Innovation Policy of 2013.

Key Points

1. Aim

• To bring about profound changes through short, medium and long-term mission mode projects by building a nurtured ecosystem that promotes research and innovation on the part of both individuals and organizations.
• To identify and address strengths and weaknesses of the Indian Science Technology and Innovation (STI) ecosystem to catalyse socio-economic development of the country and also make the Indian STI ecosystem globally competitive.

2. Important Provisions

• Related to Equity and Inclusion:
  • Gender Equality:
    (i) It proposes that at least 30% representation be ensured for women in all decision-making bodies, as well as “spousal benefits” be provided to partners of scientists belonging to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) community.
    (ii) The LGBTQ+ community should be included in all conversations related to gender equity, and provisions be made to safeguard their rights and promote their representation and retention in the science and technology sector.
  • Child and Elderly Care:
    (i) Child-care benefits are proposed to be made gender-neutral, and flexible work timings and adequate parental leave are to be offered to cater to maternity, childbirth and child care'
    (ii) All publicly-funded research institutions and universities will be asked to provide day-care centres for children of employees, and also have a provision for elderly care.
  • For Disabled:
    (i) For the benefit of people with disabilities, the policy asks all publicly-funded scientific institutions to make “structural and cultural changes” to support their inclusion.
  • Other Related Provisions:
    (i) For age-related cut-offs in matters relating to selection, promotion, awards or grants, the “academic age” and not the biological age would be considered.
    (ii) Removal of bars on married couples being employed in the same department or laboratory.
    ➤ As of now, married couples are not posted in the same department, leading to cases of loss of employment or forced transfers when colleagues decide to get married.
• Open Science Policy (One Nation, One Subscription):To make scientific knowledge and data available to all, the government has proposed:
  • To buy bulk subscriptions of all important scientific journals across the world, and provide everyone in India free access to them.
  • To set up a Science, Technology and Innovation Observatory that will serve as the central repository of all kinds of data generated from scientific research in the country.
• Research and Education:
  • It proposes to establish Education Research Centres (ERCs) and Collaborative Research Centres (CRCs) to provide research inputs to policymakers and bring together stakeholders.
  • Research and Innovation Excellence Frameworks (RIEF) will be developed to enhance the quality of research along with the promotion of engagements with the relevant stakeholders.
  • A dedicated portal to provide access to the outputs of such publicly-funded research will be created through the Indian Science and Technology Archive of Research (INDSTA).
  • To set up Infrastructure to boost local Research and Development capabilities and reduce large scale import in selected sectors of domestic importance such as electronic hardware for home appliances, railways, intelligent transport, clean tech, defence, etc.
• For Strengthening India's Strategic Position:
  • To achieve technological self-reliance and position India among the top three scientific superpowers in the decade to come.
  • To double the number of Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) researchers, Gross Domestic Expenditure on R&D (GERD) and private sector contribution to the GERD every 5 years.
  • Establishment of a Strategic Technology Board that will bridge all strategic government departments, and monitor and recommend technologies to be bought or indigenously made.

Recent Developments

1. 

Operationalization of ANRF – India’s Apex R&D Body

• The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), enacted in 2023 and effective from February 2024, is now fully operational—crucial for consolidating and streamlining research governance across India.

• Its Executive Council (Aug 2024) and Governing Board (Sep 2024) have prioritised strategic R&D realignment aligned with national goals.

• ANRF has launched high-impact schemes:

  • PM Early Career Research Grant (PM ECRG)—offering ₹60 lakh over three years with flexible funding mechanisms;
    

  • Advanced Research Grants (ARG)—designed to support basic to translational research with flexible, inclusive terms.

2. 

Missions Driving Research Collaborations

• PAIR (Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research): A hub-and-spoke model grant to uplift institutional research culture through networked excellence.

• PM Professorship Program: Supported by ANRF, with Bangalore University serving as the nodal institution for mentoring faculty across under-resourced universities.
  

3. 

Inclusive Research Ecosystem: STI Hubs for SC/ST Communities

• The government has established 45 regional STI Hubs and 11 SC/ST Cells to ensure inclusive growth by promoting technology adoption, livelihood augmentation, and indigenous knowledge integration among marginalized communities.

4. 

Geospatial Innovation & Integration

• Under the newly launched Vigyan Dhara scheme, the geospatial domain has received focused attention via the Geospatial Data Promotion & Development Committee and pilot initiatives like Operation Dronagiri, which utilizes geospatial tools across several districts.
  

5. 

Global STI Performance Metrics

• India’s research indicators show significant growth:

  • Global Innovation Index: Ranked 39th in 2024.

  • Network Readiness Index: Improved from 79th (2019) to 49th (2024).

  • IP Filings: Ranked 6th globally based on WIPO’s 2023 report.

• According to the G20 Research & Innovation Scorecard 2025:

  • India’s research output has surged to 3rd globally, surpassing the UK.

  • Citation impact (CNCI) has improved from 0.73 in 2015 to 0.89 in 2024, closing in on the global average.