NITI Ayog Member Saraswat urges overhaul of R&D ecosystem to make India a global innovation hub

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 14, 2025

Transforming India’s research institutions into globally competitive powerhouses requires bold reforms, institutional benchmarking, and stronger academia–industry linkages, according to Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog. Delivering the closing address at the Fifth Consultative Meeting on “Ease of Doing Research & Development (R&D)” in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, Saraswat stressed that reducing friction across the research lifecycle is essential to advancing national scientific goals and achieving self-reliance in critical technology areas.

Hosted by the Gujarat Council on Science & Technology (GUJCOST) at Science City on August 12–13, the meeting brought together over 110 participants, including heads of academic and research institutions, policymakers, and experts, to deliberate on strategies to strengthen India’s R&D and innovation ecosystem.

The two-day discussions focused on breaking procedural barriers, improving access to knowledge resources, enhancing institutional competitiveness, and promoting translational research. The agenda also underscored the need for agile regulations, simplified compliance procedures, robust funding frameworks, and coordinated efforts across institutions.

In his welcome address, Dr. Narottam Sahoo, Advisor and Member Secretary, GUJCOST, set the tone for the deliberations. Prof. Vivek Kumar Singh, Senior Adviser, NITI Aayog, called for structural reforms and stronger institutional frameworks, while Gujarat’s Secretary of Science & Technology, P. Bharathi, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to building a research ecosystem aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Adding momentum to the proceedings, Dr. Nilesh Desai, Director of SAC–ISRO, announced a 12-day space science outreach programme for ‘National Space Day’ and highlighted the need for a streamlined R&D environment. In his keynote, eminent scientist Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, former DG, CSIR, identified key gaps in the R&D landscape and proposed actionable strategies to bridge them.

Participants agreed that India’s research future hinges on foundational enablers such as robust infrastructure, simplified regulations, and efficient funding mechanisms. The insights and recommendations from the meeting will inform a national strategy to enhance the ease of doing R&D, making India a more attractive destination for researchers, innovators, and global collaborations.

NITI Aayog reaffirmed its commitment to driving a globally competitive, innovation-led research culture — one capable of translating India’s scientific potential into world-leading breakthroughs.