The level of public investment in science in India is high but the country has changed institutional support structures and priorities from time to time. Policy has gone through periodic mutations. In 1958 it was acknowledged that technological progress flowed out of the national scientific infrastructure. In 1983, emphasis was placed on technological self-sufficiency coupled with curbs on imports. 2003 marked a departure with Research and Development getting pride of place. Science was harnessed to social goals. In 2013, the document has been updated to put innovation first and foremost. The new policy elevates the role of science and technology in schools. R&D budgets have been hiked to dovetail them with the needs of the private sector. The link between industry and academe has been strengthened. The focus has shifted from fundamental research to applied science. Attention has been concentrated on areas contributing to the public good—agriculture, manufacturing, services and climate change. Relations with other nations in these fields have been given a boost. However vague the phrases used in the document may be, the message comes through loud and clear.
Science and technology policy in India calls for a basic change. Scientific claims need to be genuinely respected. At the 100th session of the Indian Science Congress held in Kolkata, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh highlighted two areas. One is genetically modified food and the other is nuclear energy. In both areas, scientific consensus has regrettably been subjected to skepticism. What is implicit in his observations is that science should be accorded the preeminence that it deserves in framing public policy and creating public perception.
