Beyond Metrics: Addressing India’s Research Funding Conundrum

India’s research sector needs an urgent shift from per capita funding to empowering individual researchers with targeted resources to unlock its scientific potential.

India’s relatively low funding for science and technology, when viewed on a per capita basis, has long been a subject of concern among researchers in the country. While this issue is frequently highlighted, it is important to question whether the ‘per capita’ metric is the most appropriate lens for evaluating research funding. In a nation where the number of active researchers is relatively small compared to its vast population, a more nuanced approach that prioritizes funding availability per researcher and focuses on addressing India-specific challenges may prove more effective in transforming the research landscape.

On February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for the year. As in previous years, the scientific and academic community, particularly those in prominent positions, often express concerns over low per capita funding for science and technology. While this lamentation has merit, it frequently overshadows more critical systemic issues such as delays in fund disbursement, bureaucratic inefficiencies in procurement processes, and rigid financial rules that hinder research progress. Beyond aggregate allocation, inefficiencies in fund distribution and utilization are equally significant challenges that demand attention.

India’s expenditure on research and development, currently at 0.64 percent of the GDP, is among the lowest globally, trailing significantly behind countries like Germany, the United States, and China. This has led to calls for increased budgetary allocations. However, the real issue lies not in aggregate funding but in how effectively it empowers researchers. With only 260 researchers per million people in 2020, compared to over 4,000 in the United States, a per capita perspective provides a misleading picture of the funding challenges. The focus should shift to ensuring that the limited number of researchers in India receive the resources needed to perform impactful research.

Delays in fund disbursement, often stretching into years and affecting fellowships for research students, represent a systemic inefficiency that compounds challenges faced by the research community. At the institutional level, compliance with rigid General Financial Rules (GFR) leads to protracted procurement processes, delaying essential purchases for research. This inefficiency results in unused funds being returned or deducted, perpetuating a cycle of underutilization. Researchers frequently attribute their inability to deliver results to these delays, highlighting the systemic barriers that inhibit research outcomes. Addressing these inefficiencies is crucial to breaking this cycle and ensuring researchers have timely access to resources. Leading research nations like Germany prioritize substantial funding per researcher, ensuring access to essential infrastructure and autonomy. By adopting a similar strategy, India could enhance research impact and competitiveness, which remains limited by its focus on per capita allocations. Despite a growing presence in global scientific publications, India’s output pales in comparison to countries like China and the U.S. Empowering individual researchers with targeted funding could help close this gap.

Aligning research funding with national development goals—such as addressing water scarcity, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy—should take precedence. However, this emphasis often clashes with researchers who prioritize intellectual freedom and fundamental exploration. Striking a balance between applied and fundamental research, as seen in ISRO’s innovative yet frugal technologies, could foster both national solutions and global recognition. While fundamental research is crucial, prioritizing solutions to India’s immediate challenges seems necessary given the country’s relatively low per capita science budget, without diminishing the value of basic inquiry.

Government initiatives such as the National Quantum Mission and the National Green Hydrogen Mission are commendable examples of focused research agendas. However, their success hinges on sustained and adequate funding, as well as the elimination of bureaucratic inefficiencies that delay fund utilization. Addressing these systemic issues would not only accelerate progress in problem-centric research but also elevate India’s global standing in science and technology.

A more effective research funding strategy demands a shift in focus from blanket per capita allocations to targeted per researcher funding, ensuring resources are concentrated where they can yield the greatest impact. Private sector involvement should be incentivized through tax breaks and other mechanisms to bolster government efforts. Transparent, merit-based funding processes are crucial to dispelling perceptions of favouritism and ensuring fair access. Replacing outdated General Financial Rules with tailored guidelines for fund utilization would streamline procurement, reducing delays and preventing funds from going underused.

India’s research landscape can only thrive if systemic inefficiencies are addressed and funding priorities realigned. Empowering researchers with adequate resources is critical for driving innovation, addressing national challenges, and competing globally. With targeted strategies, transparent governance, and a focus on national priorities, India’s science and technology sector can transcend its current limitations. A thriving research ecosystem is not just an academic ideal but a cornerstone for building a self-reliant and globally respected nation. While debates about the balance between fundamental and applied research will continue, the urgency of addressing India-centric problems cannot be overstated. By fostering a research ecosystem that prioritizes efficiency and impact, India can unlock its scientific potential and advance toward its aspirations for 2047. A focus on targeted, effective funding strategies will not only support researchers but also ensure that their work contributes meaningfully to the nation’s development and global standing.

(The writer is a former Director of the Pune-based Agharkar Research Institute and Visiting Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. Views are personal)