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(Online Course) GS Concepts : Science and technology in India - 12th Plan Policy and Approach
Subject : Science and technology in
India
Chapter : Policy Planning
Topic: 12th Plan Policy and Approach
Science and Technology Policy, 2003
Policy Objectives
Recognising the changing context of the scientific enterprise, and to meet present national needs in the new era of globalisation, the Government has enunciated the following as objectives of the Science and Technology Policy:
- To ensure that the message of science reaches every citizen of the country, so that scientific temper is advanced and we emerge as a progressive and enlightened society.
- To ensure food, agricultural, nutritional, environmental, water, health and energy security of the people on a sustainable basis.
- To mount a direct and sustained effort on alleviation of poverty, removal of hunger, malnutrition, reduction of regional imbalances, both rural and urban, and generation of employment, by using scientific and technological capabilities along with traditional knowledge pool.
- To vigorously foster scientific research in universities and other academic, scientific and engineering institutions.
- To promote the empowerment of women in all science and technology activities and ensure their full and equal participation.
- To provide necessary autonomy and freedom of functioning for all academic and R&D institutions,
- To accomplish national strategic and security related objectives, by using the latest advances in science and technology.
These objectives can be best realised only by a dynamic and flexible science and technology policy. This policy reiterates India's commitment to participate as an equal and vigorous global player in generating and harnessing advances in science and technology for the benefit of all humankind.
Strategy and Implementation Plan
The implementation, strategy identifies the specific plans, programmes and projects, with clearly defined tasks, estimates of necessary resources, and time targets. Some of key elements of implementation strategy are:
1. Science and Technology Governance and Investments
- A suitable mechanism shall be evolved by which independent inputs on Science and Technology Policy and Planning are obtained on a continuous basis from a wide cross-section of scientists and technologists.
- Efforts shall be directed towards a greater integration of programmes in socio-economic sectors with R&D activities.
- A concerted strategy shall be evolved to infuse a new sense of dynamism in our S&T Institutions.
- It shall be ensured that all highly science-based Ministries/Departments of Government are run by scientists and technologists.
- Government shall make necessary budgetary commitments for higher education and science and technology.
2. Optimal utilisation of existing Infrastructure and Competence
Steps shall be taken to network the existing infrastructure, investments and intellectual strengths to achieve effective and optimal utilisation and constantly upgrade them to meet changing needs.
3. Strengthening of the Infrastructure for S&T in academic institutions
Major initiatives shall be taken to modernise the infrastructure for science and engineering in academic institutions. It shall be ensured that all middle and high schools, vocational and other colleges have appropriately sized science laboratories, special support shall be provided to select academic institutions to raise standard of teaching and research. Flexible mechanisms for induction of new faculty in areas of science shall be developed, constancy of support and attention shall be ensured over at least a ten-year period.
4. New funding mechanisms for Basic Research
Steps shall be taken for setting up more efficient funding mechanisms for the promotion of basic research on science, medical and engineering institutions. In particular administrative and financial procedure shall be simplified to pursuit efficient operation of research programmes.
5. Human Resource Development
New and innovative schemes shall be introduced to attract and nurture young talent with an aptitude for research.
Substantial funding shall be allocated for building up human resource base in relevant areas, continuing process of retraining and re-skilling to keep pace with rapid advances shall be emphasised.
New mechanisms shall be instituted to facilitate return of scientists and technologists of Indian origin to India.
6. Technology Development, Transfer and Diffusion
A strong base of science and engineering research provides a social foundation for a vibrant programme of technology development. Hence, priority shall be placed on the development of technologies which address the basic needs of the population; make Indian Industries globally competitive; make the country economically strong; and address the security concerns of the nation. Special emphasis shall be placed on equity on development, so that the benefits of technological growth reach the majority of the population.
Special emphasis shall be given not only to R&D and the technological factors of innovation, but also to other equally important social, institutional and market factors needed for adoption, diffusion and transfer of innovation to the productive sectors.
7. Industry and Scientific R&D
Efforts shall be made to achieve synergy between Industry and scientific research. Autonomous Technology Transfer Organisations shall be created as associate organisations of universities and national, laboratories to facilitate transfer of the know- how generated to industry. Flexible mechanisms shall be evolved to help scientists transfer the know-how generated by them to industry and be a partner in receiving the financial returns. Industry shall be encouraged to financially adopt or support educational and research institutions, fund courses of interest to them etc. to help direct science and technology endeavours towards tangible industrial goals.
8. Indigenous Resources and Traditional Knowledge
Indigenous knowledge shall be further developed for purpose of wealth and employment generation innovative systems to document, protect evaluate and to learn from India's rich heritage of traditional knowledge shall be strengthened and enlarged. Technologies shall be developed that add value to India's indigenous resources A concerted plan to intensify research on traditional systems of medicine so as to contribute to fundamental advances in health case, and leading to commercialisation of effective products shall be undertaken.
9. Technologies for Mitigation and Management of Natural Hazards
A concerted action plan to enhance predictive capabilities and preparedness for meeting emergencies arising from floods, cyclones, earthquakes, drought, land slides and avalanches shall be drawn up. Measures shall be taken to promote research on natural phenomena that lead to disasters and human activities that aggravate them.
10. Generation and Management of Intellectual Property
IPR systems that specially protect scientific discoveries and technological innovations arising out of traditional knowledge shall be designed and effectively implemented. Legislations with regard to patents, copyrights and other forms of Intellectual Property shall ensure that maximum incentives are provided for individual inventors and to scientific and technological community to undertake large scale and rapid commercialisation. The development of skills and competence to manage IPR and leveraging its influence shall be given a major thrust.
11. Public awareness of Science and Technology
Support shall be provided for wide dissemination of scientific knowledge. Efforts shall be made to convey to the young the excitement in scientific and technological advances and to instil scientific temper in the population at large. Special support shall be provided for programmes that seek to popularise and promote science and .technology in all parts of the country.
12. International Science-and Technology Cooperation
Scientific research and technology development can benefit greatly by international co-operation and collaboration. International collaborative programmes, especially those contributing directly to our scientific development of .security objectives shall be encouraged, special emphasis shall be placed on collaborations with other developing countries and particularly neighbouring countries, with whom India shares many common problems. International collaboration in science and technology would be used to further national interests as an important component of foreign policy initiative.
13. Fiscal Measures
Innovative fiscal measures are critical to ensure successful implementation of policy objectives. Newer strategies shall be formulated for attracting higher levels of public and private investments in science and technology development. An apex Science and Technology advisory body shall be constituted to suggest appropriate fiscal measures to sub-serve the policy objective.
14. Monitoring
Effective, expeditious, transparent and science-based monitoring and reviewing mechanisms shall be significantly strengthened, and wherever not available will be put in place It shall be ensured that the scientific community is involved in, and responsible for smooth and speedy implementation.