Science & Technology

Policy Writer: Naya Yug |

We are in a position not only to understand the technologies that we may have to borrow, but also to create our own technologies with extensive scientific inputs of indigenous origin. We have come a long way since our independence.

• Section 17.1 - We should provide necessary autonomy and freedom of functioning for all academic and R&D institutions so that an ambience for truly creative work is encouraged, while ensuring at the same time that the science and technology enterprise in the country is fully committed to its social responsibilities and commitments.
• Section 17.2 - We need new science and technologies, new priorities and new paradigms to address the fundamental challenges of increasing population, greater health risks, changing demographics, degraded natural resources, and dwindling farmlands.
• Section 17.3 - We need to continue investing in science and technology to improve agriculture, health care, nuclear energy, astronomy, space technology, defense research, biotechnology, electronics, information technology and oceanography.
• Section 17.4 - The nation should continue to be firm in its resolve to support science and technology in all its facets.
• Section 17.5 - We should recognize the changing context of the scientific enterprise, and meet present national needs in the new era of globalization.
• Section 17.6 - We should use scientific and technological capabilities along with our traditional knowledge pool to enhance livelihood security, remove hunger and malnutrition, reduce drudgery and regional imbalances..
• Section 17.7 - We should vigorously foster scientific research in universities and other academic institutions; and attract the brightest young persons to careers in science and technology.
• Section 17.8 - We should promote the empowerment of women in all science and technology activities and ensure their full and equal participation.
• Section 17.9 - We should accomplish national strategic and security-related objectives, by using the latest advances in science and technology.
• Section 17.10 - We should encourage research and innovation in areas of relevance for the economy and society, particularly by promoting close and productive interaction between private and public institutions in science and technology.
• Section 17.11 - Sectors such as agriculture, human and animal nutrition, fisheries, water, health, education, industry, energy including renewable energy, communication and transportation should be accorded highest priority.
• Section 17.12 - We should establish an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) regime which maximizes the incentives for the generation and protection of intellectual property by all types of inventors. The regime should also provide a strong, supportive and comprehensive policy environment for speedy and effective domestic commercialization of such inventions so as to be maximal in the public interest.
• Section 17.13 - We should continue to encourage research and application for forecasting, prevention and mitigation of natural hazards, particularly, floods, cyclones, earthquakes, drought and landslides.
• Section 17.14 - The states should be encouraged and assisted in the use of science and technology for developmental purposes through mechanisms set up for this, and in establishing linkages with national institutions for solving their regional and locale-specific problems.
• Section 17.15 - The government of India should make necessary budgetary commitments for higher education and science and technology.
• Section 17.16 - A major initiative to modernize the infrastructure for science and engineering in academic institutions should be undertaken. We should ensure that all high schools, vocational and other colleges have appropriately sized science laboratories.
• Section 17.17 - We should reverse the present flow of talent away from science, by initiating new and innovative schemes to attract and nurture young talent with an aptitude for research, and by providing assured career opportunities in academia, industry, government or other sectors.
• Section 17.18 - New mechanisms should be instituted to facilitate the return of scientists and technologists of Indian origin to India.
• Section 17.19 - We should encourage the transformation of new ideas into commercial successes as it is of vital importance to the nation’s ability to achieve high economic growth and global competitiveness.
• Section 17.20 - Rigid quality standards, and accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories according to international requirements, should be given an enhanced push to enable Indian industry to avoid non-tariff barriers in global trade.
• Section 17.21 - Support for wide dissemination of scientific knowledge, through the support of science museums, planetarium, botanical gardens and the like, should be enhanced.

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