Parliament Question: Innovation Ecosystem

Key Highlights:

• The government has implemented various policy, institutional, and financial measures to strengthen India's innovation ecosystem.
• Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has been established under the Department of Science and Technology to promote interdisciplinary research.
• A Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund with a corpus of ₹1 lakh crore over six years has been created to catalyze private sector investment.
• Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) increased from 0.66% of GDP in 2019-20 to 0.84% in 2023-24.
• India's ranking in the Global Innovation Index (GII) improved from 81st in 2015 to 38th in 2025.
• The country ranks 3rd globally in scientific publications and 6th in patent filings.
• Over 2.40 lakh DPIIT-recognised startups are operational, with many emerging from Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

Detailed Insights:

• ANRF provides high-level strategic direction for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship across diverse scientific and technological fields.
• ANRF also implements MAHA (Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas) programmes in critical sectors like electric vehicles and artificial intelligence.
• The PAIR (Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research) programme strengthens university research capacity through hub-and-spoke networks.
• The RDI Fund targets sunrise and strategic sectors such as deep-tech, quantum technologies, and digital agriculture.
• Initiatives like National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) and Startup India support the entire innovation lifecycle.
• Vigyan Dhara scheme strengthens S&T infrastructure through programs like FIST and SAIF, providing shared access to cutting-edge R&D labs.
• The INSPIRE Programme nurtures scientific talent at various stages, including INSPIRE MANAK and INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE).
• The Women in Science and Engineering–Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing (WISE-KIRAN) Programme promotes women's participation in STI.
• The National Quantum Mission (NQM) aims to scale R&D in quantum technologies, establishing four Thematic Hubs.
• The Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE) scheme and BioE3 policy foster bio-entrepreneurship and biomanufacturing.
• CSIR aligns its R&D with national priorities and established CSIR-IC for technology translation.
• The Indian Space Policy 2023 and liberalized FDI norms have boosted private sector participation in the space ecosystem.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF): A statutory body established to provide strategic direction for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in India.
• Global Innovation Index (GII): An annual ranking of countries by their capacity for and success in innovation, published by WIPO.
• Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD): The total amount of money spent on R&D activities within a country over a specific period.
• Startup India: A flagship initiative by the Government of India to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and startups.