Expediting Research and Development in Government Institutions: Emphasis on Necessary Reforms by NITI Aayog
Transformation Drive for India's R&D Institutions: A Fresh Perspective
The distinguished member of NITI Aayog, Dr. V.K. Saraswat, recently conveyed the necessity of metamorphosing India's government-supported Research and Development (R&D) organizations into vibrant, independent, and objective-oriented ecosystems.
Addressing the opening event of the two-day conference on reshaping India's R&D ecosystem in Dehradun, Saraswat emphasized the urgency to release scientific research from bureaucratic delays and rigid hierarchies, instead fostering a more empowered environment through decentralized decision-making, prompt financing, and outcomes-based responsibility.
During his speech, Dr. Saraswat reaffirmed NITI Aayog's dedication to instigating systemic change through persistent interaction with stakeholders and evidence-informed policy suggestions. This ongoing crusade by NITI Aayog aims to establish a progressive, inventive, and adaptable research ecosystem in the country, with an emphasis on reinforcing the capabilities of government-funded R&D institutions and laboratories.
In the same vein, Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, lauded NITI Aayog's leadership in arranging this crucial conversation and accentuated the value of shared governance in resolving lasting structural issues.
She underscored the significance of renewing R&D infrastructure, specifically in second-tier and third-tier institutions, and bolstering industry-academia partnerships to catalyze impactful applied research. Dr. Kalaiselvi also stressed the importance of harmonizing national scientific endeavors with regional innovation needs.
Professor Ashutosh Sharma, President, Indian National Science Academy (INSA), brought attention to the human dimension of science, advocating for increased trust in researchers, reduced micro-management, and the establishment of flexible career paths for scientists. He underscored the importance of retaining young talent in Indian institutions through improved opportunities, mentorship, and global exposure.
The current conference continues to explore topics such as institutional governance, researcher mobility, applied research, and intensifying public-private cooperation. Led by Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, the two-day conference expands upon the outcomes of the initial deliberative dialogue held in May 2025 at Raj Bhawan, Lucknow, and serves as the second installment in a series of regional meetings planned to tackle systemic challenges in India's research and development ecosystem.
- The transformation drive for India's R&D institutions necessitates a shift in focus towards health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and education-and-self-development, to accommodate a holistic approach in scientific research.
- Policy-and-legislation and politics will play crucial roles in fostering the required changes, encompassing decentralized decision-making, prompt financing, and outcomes-based responsibility in the R&D sector.
- General-news outlets should highlight the ongoing crusade to rejuvenate R&D infrastructure, particularly in second-tier and third-tier institutions, and the need for industry-academia partnerships to stimulate impactful applied research.
- Learning opportunities, such as mentorship and global exposure, are essential in attracting and retaining young talent in Indian institutions, ensuring the growth of capable scientists pivotal to a flourishing R&D ecosystem.
