📌 Why in News?
According to the latest data disclosed by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India’s spending on research and development (R&D) surged to 0.83% of GDP in 2021-22, , marking the first time since 2009-10 that the country crossed the 0.8% threshold. What is Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD)? It is the sum of all resources dedicated to research and development during a given period.
Syllabus & Relevance
Prelims: Science & Technology — institutions, terminology and factual features connected with the development.
Mains: GS-3 — contemporary application of the relevant syllabus theme.
Current–static link: Revise the underlying institution, policy or concept together with this development.
Why it matters for India
According to the latest data disclosed by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India’s spending on research and development (R&D) surged to 0.83% of GDP in 2021-22, , marking the first time since 2009-10 that the country crossed the 0.8% threshold.
The estimates imply a significant rise in the share of the private sector, with industry accounting for more than half (51.8%) of the total R&D expenditure of India in 2023-24.
It compiles India’s official Research and Development (R&D) statistics, including GERD.
It is a structural shift in India’s innovation ecosystem.
Static Foundation
It is the sum of all resources dedicated to research and development during a given period.
It includes money spent on personnel, equipment, materials, and other costs associated with R&D activities by the Central Government, State Governments, Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) and Private Industry.
GERD is a key indicator of a country’s investment in innovation and its capacity to generate new knowledge and technologies.
The estimates imply a significant rise in the share of the private sector, with industry accounting for more than half (51.8%) of the total R&D expenditure of India in 2023-24.
Factors Behind the Increase: Possible contributors could be: A jump in private sector investment.
Broadening the scope of DST surveys to embrace international corporations and enterprises not covered under the former recognition framework of DSIR.
Economic activity recovery following the pandemic.
Data, Reports, Cases & Examples
According to the latest data disclosed by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India’s spending on research and development (R&D) surged to 0.83% of GDP in 2021-22, , marking the first time since 2009-10 that the country crossed the 0.8% threshold.
The estimates imply a significant rise in the share of the private sector, with industry accounting for more than half (51.8%) of the total R&D expenditure of India in 2023-24.
It is a programme of DST that was established in 1982 under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
GERD was reduced in the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21.
Expenditure bounced back sharply in 2021-22, rising by over 53%.
The report finds that increased R&D investment can help translate these strengths into commercial innovation and sophisticated manufacturing.
Prelims Quick Facts
According to the latest data disclosed by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India’s spending on research and development (R&D) surged to 0.83% of GDP in 2021-22, , marking the first time since 2009-10 that the country crossed the 0.8% threshold.
What is Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD)?
It is the sum of all resources dedicated to research and development during a given period.
It includes money spent on personnel, equipment, materials, and other costs associated with R&D activities by the Central Government, State Governments, Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) and Private Industry.
GERD is a key indicator of a country’s investment in innovation and its capacity to generate new knowledge and technologies.
The estimates imply a significant rise in the share of the private sector, with industry accounting for more than half (51.8%) of the total R&D expenditure of India in 2023-24.
Factors Behind the Increase: Possible contributors could be: A jump in private sector investment.
Broadening the scope of DST surveys to embrace international corporations and enterprises not covered under the former recognition framework of DSIR.
Mains-only layer✍️ Open Mains Perspective & Answer FrameworkClick to expand ↓
Mains Perspective
Background and key dimensions
- GERD is a key indicator of a country’s investment in innovation and its capacity to generate new knowledge and technologies.
- The estimates imply a significant rise in the share of the private sector, with industry accounting for more than half (51.8%) of the total R&D expenditure of India in 2023-24.
- Factors Behind the Increase: Possible contributors could be: A jump in private sector investment.
- Broadening the scope of DST surveys to embrace international corporations and enterprises not covered under the former recognition framework of DSIR.
- Economic activity recovery following the pandemic.
- Increasing importance of technology demanding areas like electronics, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, digital technologies and space.
- National Science and Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS)
- It is a programme of DST that was established in 1982 under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
- It serves as the country’s nodal system for collecting, analysing and disseminating Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) data to support evidence-based policymaking.
- It compiles India’s official Research and Development (R&D) statistics, including GERD.
- It uses internationally accepted methodologies based on UNESCO and OECD (Frascati Manual) guidelines.
- It publishes reports such as R&D Statistics at a Glance and other STI indicators for policy formulation and international comparison.
Analytical use
- Connect the development with its institutional, policy, economic, social, environmental or security implications only where supported above.
- In a Mains answer, separate the verified development from broader evaluation and use the named evidence precisely.
Way forward
- Base recommendations on the gaps and institutional responsibilities identified in the source-grounded points.
Answer Framework
Introduction
Begin with the immediate development and identify the central institution or policy issue.
Body
- Explain the relevant static concept.
- Present the principal source-backed facts.
- Analyse significance for India and the syllabus theme.
- Discuss supported challenges or implementation gaps.
- Use one named law, report, institution, date or example from the evidence box.
Conclusion
End with a balanced, institutionally feasible way forward without making claims beyond the available evidence.
Possible Mains Question
Examine the significance of “Research and Development Statistics 2025-26: DST”. Discuss its key implications and the way forward.