Context:

• The government is overhauling India’s science establishment, which includes setting up the new National Research Foundation (NRF) and restructuring the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In this scenario, a frank assessment of the current administrative ability to simultaneously optimise Indian science’s efficiency and resilience is necessary

Issues in Science Administration:

• Low investment: India’s R&D expenditure is significantly lower than other major economies, limiting resources for impactful projects.
  • India’s overall expenditure on research and development is around 0.7% of GDP, compared to 3.5% for the United States and 2.4% for China.
• Inefficient management: The direction and organisation of science are inconsistent with the current global trends, highly bureaucratic, leading to missed opportunities and wasted resources.
• Dominance of public sector: Most of the research is concentrated in public research institutions which are affected by bureaucratic hurdles and lack of long-term fund support, hampering their effectiveness.
• Oversized role of scientists: Senior scientists hold too many administrative positions, often lacking the necessary skills and creating conflicts of interest. This “gatekeeper” system stifles competition and innovation.
• Lack of training and professionalism: Scientists are not trained in administration, leading to poor resource allocation and quality control issues like plagiarism and unethical publication practices.
• Institutional capture and factionalism: The absence of all-India transfers allows insiders to control and manipulate the system for personal gain, further damaging scientific outcomes.

Solutions Available:

• Increase R&D funding: Invest more in high-impact scientific projects to enhance India’s global competitiveness.
• Restructure science administration: Separate scientists from administrative roles to improve efficiency and reduce conflicts of interest. Adopt best practices from countries like the USA, which selects scientists for administration quite early in their careers.
• Professionalize science management: Establish an all-India service for science administrators with dedicated training and career paths.
• Promote accountability: Hold scientists and administrators responsible for the performance of scientific institutions and projects.

Addressing these core concerns can help India’s science establishment to do justice to its economic and strategic aspirations.