India slips in Global Innovation Index 2025
(Page 12, The Hindu, Business Section)
Also Read: The Indian Express Editorial Analysis: 19 June 2025
Also Read: The Hindu Editorial Analysis: 19 June 2025
| Topic: GS Paper 3 (Science & Technology, Economy) |
| Context |
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Reasons for the Decline:
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Funding Constraints:
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Insufficient public and private R&D investment.
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Delayed operationalization of National Research Foundation.
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Structural Gaps:
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Brain drain and weak incentives for researchers.
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Poor integration of science policy with industrial policy.
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Comparative Decline:
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Other middle-income countries like Vietnam, Brazil, and Turkey showed improved rankings through aggressive tech and innovation funding.
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Conclusion/Way Forward:
India’s decline in the GII reflects systemic weaknesses in its innovation ecosystem. While digital India and startup policy have helped, structural reforms are required to achieve transformative results.
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Increase gross expenditure on R&D to 1.5% of GDP as per NEP 2020 targets.
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Implement the National Research Foundation with focus on interdisciplinary innovation.
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Foster academia-industry linkages through innovation clusters and co-funded labs.
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Streamline patent systems and strengthen IPR enforcement mechanisms.
India must align its innovation policy with broader economic and social development goals to move from “jugaad innovation” to deep-tech leadership.
| Practice Question: (GS-3 | 15 Marks | 250 Words) India’s drop in the Global Innovation Index 2025 highlights deeper structural challenges in its research and innovation framework. Critically examine these challenges and suggest a roadmap to build a globally competitive innovation ecosystem |
