Research and Development (R&D)

Research and Development (R&D) comprises systematic and creative work undertaken to expand the stock of knowledge and devise new applications, serving as a critical driver for technological self-reliance, economic complexity, and national security in India.

Under Indian Economy · Science & Technology

• India's relatively low Gross Expenditure on R&D as a percentage of GDP poses a structural constraint on transition from a factor-driven to an innovation-driven economy.
• The public sector contributes the major share of national R&D funding, underscoring an imperative to incentivize private corporate sector participation and improve industry-academia collaboration.
• Advanced R&D capabilities are essential for achieving strategic autonomy in critical domains such as deep technology, defense, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy.
• Strengthening the domestic innovation ecosystem directly links to global competitiveness, patent creation, and high-value employment generation.

In General Studies Paper III, UPSC evaluates R&D through the lens of science and technology policy, intellectual property rights, and economic growth. Questions often focus on structural bottlenecks inhibiting private investment, mechanisms for technology commercialization, and institutional reforms in research governance. Candidates are expected to analyze policy frameworks designed to foster an innovation ecosystem while bridging academia and industry.

• Achievements in science & technology: indigenization, new technology GS3
• Science and Technology GS3