What do leading scientists make of the R&D Budget in Modi’s third term?

Leading scientists analyze the new Budget in Modi's third term, focusing on research funding, space technology, and clean energy.

The previous two terms of the Narendra Modi government saw the launch of some major national advanced technology missions, including for supercomputing, cyber-physical systems, and quantum technologies. These were coupled with initiatives to boost private sector participation with space and geospatial policies. India became the fourth to have a spacecraft’s lander touch down successfully on the moon. In parallel, there were concerns about the sidelining of basic research and stagnation in research funding as a percentage of the GDP. What then do leading scientists make of the new Budget in Modi’s third term?

N. Kalaiselvi, Director-General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research:

Continuing with the focus on ‘Viksit Bharat’ like last year, this year’s Union Budget also spurs research and development in important areas such as climate-resilient agriculture, critical minerals, miniature and modular nuclear energy technology, energy-efficient technologies, etc.

Under the Budget priority entitled “Innovation, Research and Development”, the Hon’ble Finance Minister has clearly emphasised basic research and prototype development, including innovation and industry linkages. Expectedly, the space sector has received a massive boost.

In the Budget presentation, the Hon’ble Finance Minister listed nine priorities. 

In addition, I see a few other priority areas, such as “Productivity and Resilience in Agriculture”, “Energy Security”, and “Manufacturing and Services”, which provide research and development opportunities, and are also focus areas of CSIR.

The proposed “Critical Minerals Mission” and the exemption of customs duties on 25 critical minerals will significantly boost critical minerals research. Another area of national importance and global relevance is clean energy. Water supply, sewage treatment and solid waste management also figure as priority areas. Incidentally, CSIR is into technology development in all these areas.