The National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy – 2020 was initially a draft document and, therefore, had no budget allocation or expenditure. Following this, the government has launched several initiatives, schemes, and missions to strengthen India’s research and development ecosystem. Key measures include the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, with ₹1 lakh crore allocated over six years; the establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) with ₹14,000 crore from the Central Government, supplemented by potential non-governmental funding; and the National Quantum Mission with a budget of ₹6,003.65 crore.
According to the Directory of R&D Institutions 2025 by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India has 622 national laboratories and research institutions across sectors such as science, technology, agriculture, medicine, defence, and space. These institutions are evolving from pure knowledge generation to active contributors to innovation-led economic growth. Mechanisms for commercialization, including Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs), incubation centers, public-private partnerships, and structured licensing models, have been strengthened to accelerate the translation of research into real-world applications.
Research from national labs and institutes supports multiple sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, energy, environment, transport, infrastructure, livestock, and industries such as food processing and textiles. Public R&D institutions also lead national missions, such as the Deep Ocean Exploration Mission, AI Mission, and National Quantum Mission. Between 2021–22 and 2022–23, 1,622 patents were filed by 233 institutes, with 1,356 granted to 232 institutes. During the same period, 1,839 technologies were transferred, resulting in 1,014 new products and 1,746 new services.
Government efforts, including international collaborations for knowledge exchange, expertise sharing, and optimal utilization of resources, have significantly strengthened India’s global scientific standing. India now ranks 3rd in research publications and startups, 4th in PhD degrees awarded, and 6th in patent filings globally. Its Global Innovation Index position has improved from 81st in 2015 to 38th in 2025 among 139 economies.
To encourage indigenous technological development and innovation for a self-reliant India, the government aligns its R&D activities with national priorities through initiatives like the RDI Fund, ANRF, National Quantum Mission (NQM), National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), and National Supercomputing Mission. Additional programs, such as NIDHI, BIRAC programs, iDEX, Technology Development Fund (TDF), and TIDE 2.0, foster science- and technology-based innovation and entrepreneurship in academic and research institutions. Collectively, these measures aim to drive technological excellence, indigenization, employment generation, and position India competitively on the global stage.
