Content

1. India’s Leap in Research and Innovation
2. Access and Benefit-Sharing Framework

India’s Leap in Research and Innovation

Why in News?

• India launched the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme on 3 November 2025 during ESTIC 2025 (Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• Marks a historic boost for private-led innovation to accelerate India’s transition toward Viksit Bharat@2047.
• Reflects India’s rising R&D expenditure and strategic focus on high-impact technologies like AI, Quantum, Semiconductors, Deep Ocean, and Biotechnology.

Relevance

• GS-3 (Science & Technology):
  Boosts R&D and innovation through ₹1 lakh crore RDI Scheme 2025.
  Focus on AI, Quantum, Semiconductors, Space, and Biotech for Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• GS-3 (Economy):
  Promotes private-led R&D, tech-driven industries, and high-value job creation.
  Targets 2% R&D–GDP ratio for Viksit Bharat@2047.
• GS-2 (Governance):
  Institutional reforms via ANRF Act 2023, BioE3 Policy 2024, Indian Space Policy 2023.
  Strengthens PPPP model for innovation-led growth.

Evolution of India’s R&D Ecosystem

• Objective: Build a self-reliant, knowledge-driven economy through science and innovation.
• Transformation: Shift from public-funded research to public–private innovation partnerships.
• Drivers: Policy reforms, digital infrastructure, innovation missions, and private sector participation.

Key Data and Trends in India’s R&D

• Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD):
  • ₹60,196 crore (2010–11) → ₹1.27 lakh crore (2020–21) → projected ₹2.5 lakh crore (2025–26).
• R&D Share in GDP: ~0.7% (India) vs 2–3% (OECD average).
• Sectoral Contribution:
  • Government: 64% of GERD
  • Private sector: 36% (rising trend)
• Human Capital in Science:
  • 40,813 PhDs awarded (2018–19), 60% in Science & Technology.
  • India ranks 3rd globally after USA & China.
• Patents filed: 24,326 (2020–21) → 68,176 (2024–25).

₹1 Lakh Crore RDI Scheme (2025) – The Game Changer

Launch Context: ESTIC 2025 (3–5 Nov 2025), Theme – “Viksit Bharat 2047: Pioneering Sustainable Innovation.”
Aim: Build a private-sector-driven innovation ecosystem with long-term, low-cost financing for R&D.

Core Features

• Long-term refinancing with low or nil interest rates for R&D projects.
• Growth and risk capital for private research in strategic sectors.
• Deep-Tech Fund of Funds to strengthen financing for start-ups.
• Encourages commercialisation of high-end research.

Objectives

1. Private Sector Push: Expand R&D in sunrise and strategic sectors.
2. Transformative Financing: Fund advanced technology readiness projects.
3. Tech Acquisition: Support access to critical technologies of strategic value.
4. Deep-Tech Focus: Foster start-ups in AI, quantum, space, bio, and defense tech.

Institutional and Policy Pillars of India’s Innovation Framework

Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

• Legal Basis: ANRF Act, 2023 (effective Feb 2024).
• Goal: Mobilise ₹50,000 crore (2023–28).
• Funding Mix: ₹14,000 crore (Govt) + ₹36,000 crore (Industry & Philanthropy).
• Focus: Strengthen academia–industry linkage and fund high-impact research.

National Geospatial Policy, 2022

• Liberalised geospatial data access for research and governance.
• Target: Comprehensive Digital Elevation Model by 2030.
• Promotes open-data ecosystem for innovation in mapping and planning.

Indian Space Policy, 2023

• Enables private participation in end-to-end space activities.
• IN-SPACe acts as regulator and facilitator.
• Supports commercial space manufacturing and international collaboration.

BioE3 Policy, 2024 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, Employment)

• Promotes bio-manufacturing, bio-AI hubs, and biofoundries.
• Encourages sustainable, circular, and bio-based industries.

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) 2.0

• Continuation till March 2028 with ₹2,750 crore.
• Network of Atal Tinkering Labs & Atal Incubation Centres.
• Builds innovation culture among students and MSMEs.

National Missions Driving Frontier Technologies

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) – Foundation of Modern Innovation

Purpose: Democratises data, improves governance, and supports R&D scalability.

Challenges in India’s R&D Landscape

• Low Private Investment: 36% vs >70% in OECD economies.
• Fragmented Research Institutions: Weak industry–academia collaboration.
• Brain Drain: Skilled researchers migrating for better opportunities.
• Limited IP Commercialisation: Patent filings high but technology transfer low.
• Underdeveloped Venture Capital: Especially in deep-tech and early-stage research.

Way Forward – Towards Viksit Bharat @2047

• Enhance R&D–GDP Ratio to 2% by 2047.
• Institutionalise Public–Private–Philanthropy Partnerships (PPPP).
• Promote Multidisciplinary Research Universities.
• Incentivise Private R&D Investments through tax credits and equity support.
• Leverage Digital Infrastructure for data-driven research and innovation.
• Strengthen Intellectual Property (IP) Regime and technology transfer pathways.

Significance

• Economic: Enhances global competitiveness and productivity.
• Strategic: Builds self-reliance in defense, space, and critical technologies.
• Social: Solves challenges in health, energy, agriculture, and climate.
• Global Standing: Positions India among the top 5 global R&D powers.

Access and Benefit-Sharing Framework

Why in News?

• The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released ₹3 crore under the Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) mechanism to 199 beneficiaries — including 198 Red Sanders farmers and the University of Andhra.
• Marks a major milestone in linking biodiversity conservation with community livelihoods under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
• Focus species: Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) — an endemic, high-value and endangered tree species native to the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh.

Relevance  

• GS-3 (Environment & Ecology):
  Implements Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and Nagoya Protocol for equitable benefit-sharing.
  Promotes conservation and legal trade of Red Sanders through incentive-based ABS.
• GS-2 (Governance):
  Decentralised biodiversity governance via NBA–SBB–BMC structure.
  Advances India’s global biodiversity commitments.
• GS-3 (Economy):
  Links biodiversity with livelihoods and rural income generation.
  Supports Mission LiFE, Green Credit, and National Biodiversity Mission.

Context and Background

• Red Sanders is listed in CITES Appendix II (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).
• Known for its deep red timber, used in musical instruments, furniture, and traditional medicine.
• Historically subject to illegal felling and smuggling, leading to stringent controls on trade.
• Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) mechanism aim to ensure equitable sharing of benefits from the use of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.

The Current Initiative (2025)

• Amount Released: ₹3.00 crore
• Beneficiaries: 198 farmers + 1 academic institution (University of Andhra)
• Facilitated by: Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board
• Districts Covered: Chittoor, Tirupati, Nellore, and Cuddapah (48 villages)
• Benefit Range: ₹33,000 – ₹22 lakh per farmer (based on quantity supplied)
• Outcome: Payments exceed market sale value — incentivising conservation and legal cultivation.

Broader NBA Initiatives on Red Sanders

Policy and Institutional Foundations

Biological Diversity Act, 2002

• Legal framework for conservation, sustainable use, and fair benefit-sharing.
• National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) oversees implementation.
• State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) facilitate local participation.

Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) Mechanism

• Access: Regulates utilisation of biological resources by companies, researchers, or exporters.
• Benefit Sharing: Ensures that local communities and custodians receive a share of monetary and non-monetary gains.
• Promotes incentive-based conservation.

Expert Committee on Red Sanders (2015)

• Developed Policy for Conservation, Sustainable Use and Fair & Equitable Benefit Sharing of Red Sanders (2019).
• Recommended mechanisms to legalise cultivated Red Sanders trade.

DGFT Policy Relaxation (2019)

• Allowed export of Red Sanders from cultivated sources, aligning trade policy with conservation and livelihood goals.

Significance of the 2025 ABS Disbursement

Environmental

• Promotes in-situ and ex-situ conservation of a critically threatened endemic species.
• Reduces illegal logging and trafficking by incentivising legal cultivation.

Socio-Economic

• Empowers local farmers by converting conservation into an income-generating activity.
• Encourages community stewardship of biodiversity.
• Demonstrates fair benefit-sharing in action — farmers receiving more than market value.

Governance and Policy

• Operationalises the Nagoya Protocol (2010) on ABS, to which India is a signatory.
• Reinforces the decentralised governance structure of biodiversity conservation.
• Acts as a model for benefit-sharing in other bioresource sectors (e.g., medicinal plants, NTFPs).

Challenges

• Low awareness among local communities about ABS provisions.
• Complex approval processes for resource access.
• Valuation issues in determining benefit share for cultivators vs wild resources.
• Need for traceability systems to distinguish cultivated from wild-sourced products.

Way Forward

1. Scale up ABS Implementation: Extend similar frameworks to other bioresource-rich states (e.g., NE India, Western Ghats).
2. Capacity Building: Strengthen SBBs and BMCs for local biodiversity governance.
3. Digital Monitoring: Use blockchain or GIS to trace bioresource use and ensure transparency.
4. Mainstream Biodiversity Economy: Integrate ABS into agri-exports, biopharma, and forestry sectors.
5. Enhance Farmer–Industry Linkages: Facilitate contracts between cultivators and legal exporters.

Broader Significance for India

• Aligns with SDGs: Especially SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production).
• Supports National Missions: Complementary to Mission LiFE, Green Credit Programme, and National Biodiversity Mission.
• Strengthens India’s Global Leadership: Demonstrates compliance with Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Nagoya Protocol commitments.

Conclusion

• The ₹3 crore ABS release for Red Sanders farmers represents India’s evolving biodiversity governance model — where conservation, commerce, and community welfare converge.
• It showcases how economic incentives can drive sustainable utilisation of natural resources while ensuring fair equity for biodiversity custodians.
• With stronger implementation, India’s ABS framework could become a global exemplar of inclusive biodiversity economics.