Policymakers often look at some peaks of excellence and assume that we are just a few years away from dominating certain fields, but that’s not the case, says IIIT-H’s Director
Published Oct 12, 2024 | 7:00 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 12, 2024 | 7:00 PM
IIIT Hyderabad's Director Profressor PJ Narayanan stressed for more grants for Research and Development in IT during Dakshin Dialogues-2024 held at Hyderabad. (South First)
The Union government has been ramping up its investment in Research and Development (R&D) across sectors like Information Technology (IT), Electronics and Convergence, Communications, and Broadband Technologies (CCBT) over the past few years.
From ₹598.17 crore in 2022-23 to a significant ₹1,148.25 crore in 2024-25, the budgetary increase represents an increase of 91.38 percent.
However, according to experts like IIIT-Hyderabad Director Professor PJ Narayanan, while these budget hikes are encouraging, they are inadequate to address India’s R&D shortfall.
Prof Narayanan emphasised the need for more substantial investment to enhance the country’s research output and bridge the gap between India’s academic potential and global standards.
In 2022-23, the budgetary allocation for R&D in IT, Electronics, and CCBT was ₹598.17 crore.
In the next fiscal year, the Union Government allocated ₹600 crore, marking a budgetary year-on-year increase of approximately 0.31 percent. The government increased the allocation by an additional ₹400 crore in the revised estimates for the fiscal year 2023-24.
In 2024-25, the budget allocation for R&D in IT, Electronics, and CCBT increased significantly to ₹1,148.25 crore, reflecting a 91.38 percent rise from 2023-24.
Apart from these grants, the Union government also allocated funds for R&D in Basic Science and Engineering, Science and Technology, projects of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Fast Reactor Science and Technology, Indira Gandhi Centre of Atomic Research, Exploration and Mining, Conservation and Development, and Textiles.
In the third edition of Dakshin Dialogues-2024, IIIT Hyderabad’s Professor Narayanan stressed for the need for more investment in R&D in the IT sector.
Prof Narayanan was a panellist alongside Congress MLA from Hosakote and KEONICS Chairman Sharat Bachegowda in the “Skill Gap and Employability” session at Dakshin Dialogues 2024 held at Hyderabad on 5 October.
“In Indian academia, we have peaks of excellence, but the average output is far below global standards. The few researchers who are at the top are recognised globally, but the average PhD or researcher does not perform at that level,” Prof Narayanan said.
“Unfortunately, policymakers often look at these peaks and assume that we are just a few years away from dominating certain fields, but that’s not the case,” he pointed out.
“The problem is that while the peaks are high, the average is low, and this disparity clouds our vision. We need far more investment in R&D. India currently spends only 0.6 percent of its GDP on research, which is woefully inadequate.”
“We are pathetic compared to where we should be. We need to invest a lot more in R&D,” he stressed.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
