Research for Development

Efforts must go beyond the RDI scheme

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The Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet this week, is an acknowledgement that policymakers must find ways to spark innovation and support it with funding. However, while the scheme is a step in the right direction, a lot will need to be done and, given the way the scheme is designed, it may not address some key concerns that hinder India's research & development (R&D).

India spends less than 1 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on R&D, while for China and South Korea, for example, it is over 2.5 per cent. Thus, while India has an enormous pool of tech graduates, many of them migrate abroad or find employment in roles where they don't use their hard-earned skills.

India ranks 39th on the global innovation index, which is way below its potential.