Achi news desk-
India’s economic growth (indicative)
– Photo: ANI
expansion
The general election process is taking place in India, the largest democracy in the world. Almost a billion voters will exercise their franchise in this marathon process that will last until June 1. Various polls estimate that the BJP-led NDA has an advantage over the opposition India Alliance. The winner of the election will take responsibility for the fifth largest economy in the world. According to estimates, by the end of the decade India may become the third largest economy after China and America. Apart from being an economic powerhouse, India is also poised to take the next step towards becoming a scientific superpower.
The researchers told Nature magazine that basic research had been neglected by previous governments. A thriving research system needs more autonomy. To bridge the funding gap, the Indian government could increase spending on science by encouraging business and the private sector to contribute more, as is the case in other major economies. In America, China, Japan, Germany, government and university spending on research is less than 20%, while in India it is about 60%. Apart from India, the share of the business sector is very high in America, China, Japan and Germany. If policy makers and industrialists can get it right, there is ample opportunity to take off as part of the nation’s impressive scientific achievements.
One of the richest countries in research output
India is one of the most prosperous countries in the world in terms of research output after the USA and China. From 2014 to 2021, the number of universities increased from 760 to 1,113. Another 7 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) were established in the last decade. This increased their number to 23.
