The tradition of Science and Technology (S&T) in India dates back over 5,000 years. In the early 20th century, there was a revival in this domain. The S&T infrastructure has witnessed substantial growth, increasing from approximately Rs. 10 million in 1947 to Rs. 30 billion. Noteworthy progress has been achieved in nuclear and space science, electronics, and defense industries. The government is dedicated to incorporating S&T into the nation’s socio-economic advancement.
India is home to the world’s third largest scientific and technical workforce, with 162 universities granting 4,000 doctorates and 35,000 postgraduate degrees. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research oversees 40 research laboratories which have achieved notable accomplishments. Additionally, India ranks among the top five nations in Missile Launch Technology. Science and technology play crucial roles in driving growth and facilitating change, as they are integrated into the economic planning of agriculture, industry, and services sectors.
The country’s resources are utilized to maximize output, benefiting society and enhancing the quality of life. Approximately 85% of the funds for S originate from the Government, whether directly or indirectly. The S infrastructure in the nation constitutes more than 1% of the GNP. In India, S is venturing into new territory. Atomic Energy holds a central position within India’s nuclear energy program, aiming to harness nuclear power for peaceful objectives encompassing electricity generation, applications in agriculture, medicine, industry, research, and various other domains.
India has emerged as a dominant player in nuclear technology, encompassing the manufacturing of source materials. The country is self-reliant and skilled in all aspects of the nuclear cycle – from exploration and mining to power generation and waste management. Furthermore, India has successfully created its own accelerators, research reactors, and power reactors. The nation also takes pride in its remarkable scientific research facilities such as Kolkata’s advanced variable energy cyclotron and Mumbai’s recently established medium-energy heavy ion accelerator ‘pelletron’.
India is employing atomic energy for peaceful objectives, such as the production of nuclear power. Presently, there are eight operational nuclear stations that collectively generate a total of eight billion kilowatts of electricity. India also has plans to construct four additional power stations in the future. Furthermore, India is actively engaged in the design of new nuclear reactors. This peaceful nuclear program also encompasses the production of radioisotopes utilized in sectors such as agriculture, medicine, industry, and research.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is responsible for research, development, and operation of various space systems. These systems encompass satellite communications, remote sensing for resource surveying, environmental monitoring, meteorological services, and more. ISRO falls under the Department of Space (DOS), which also oversees the Physical Research Laboratory and the National Remote Sensing Agency.
India has successfully developed its own remote-sensing satellite, making it the only Third World Country to do so. On October 15, 1994, India used the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) to launch the IRS-P2 satellite weighing 800 Kg into orbit. This achievement allowed India to join a group of six nations. In May of that same year, the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) placed the SROSS-C2 scientific satellite weighing 113 Kg into a near-earth orbit as part of its mission. Furthermore, India’s progress in developing a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), which has the capability to launch 2000 Kg satellites into space, is truly remarkable.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is presently engaged in the development of a domestic cryogenic engine for GSLV. Tests on a model of GSLV have already been carried out in wind tunnels. The INSAT series of satellites, previously launched, have effectively rendered essential services like telecommunications, television, meteorology, disaster warning, and distress detection. The latest INSAT series includes new features such as Ku-band transponders and mobile satellite services transponders. The remote-sensing satellites that were launched in 1988 and 1991 now play a vital role in the natural resource management system of the country.
The launch of cutting-edge remote sensing satellites will not only broaden their usage possibilities but also offer commercial services to other nations. Thanks to India’s advancements in space-based remote sensing technology, an American company has formed a partnership with them to globally market data obtained from their satellites. This development has garnered international recognition and generated demand, leading to leasing agreements for marketing Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) data as well as the provision of space hardware and services.India has been selected by a respected UN team to establish a UN Centre for Space Science and Technology Education, showcasing its commitment to collaborating with international space agencies. India is close to attaining self-reliance in its launching capabilities, which would be a fitting homage to Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, regarded as the pioneer of India’s space program, on his 80th birthday in August 1996. The Department of Electronics actively promotes the progress and utilization of electronics for socio-economic development.
Efforts have been made to promote the growth of the electronics industry through various measures, such as revising the licensing policy to prioritize promotion over regulation and aiming for a more streamlined process. Additionally, cost efficiency has been sought by utilizing modern technology on a large scale.
A comprehensive approach has been adopted for research and development, with particular emphasis on microelectronics, telematics, high-performance computing, and software development. Furthermore, considerable attention has been given to applying electronics in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and services.
India has set up test and development centers, regional laboratories, and numerous R projects to enhance the quality of domestically manufactured products. These centers primarily aid small and medium electronics units in electronic design and technology. In addition, India’s coastline spans 7,600 km with 1,250 islands incorporated within it. The country’s Exclusive Economic Zone encompasses over 2 million sq. km and includes a continental shelf that stretches up to 350 nautical miles.
The Department of Ocean Development was established in 1981 with the goal of effectively utilizing living resources, exploiting non-living resources like hydrocarbons and minerals, and harnessing ocean energy. ORV Sagar Kanya and FROV Sagar Sampada, two research vessels, are currently evaluating and assessing the resource potential. Efforts have been made to survey and explore seabed topography, as well as determine the concentration and quality of mineral nodules. In August 1987, India obtained a mine site of 150,000 sq. km in the central Indian Ocean for further resource development and exploration.
India is the sole developing nation that obtained Pioneer Status from the UN Conference on the Law of the Sea in 1982. Additionally, it holds the distinction of being the primary country to successfully register a mine site. From 1981 onwards, India has launched 13 scientific research expeditions to Antarctica and has set up Dakshin Gangotri, a permanently inhabited base. Through the eighth expedition, India accomplished the construction of a second permanent station entirely through its own resources. The primary aim is to investigate the ozone layer and other significant elements, such as optical aurora, geomagnetic pulsation, and associated phenomena.
India has actively participated in scientific research, leading to its Consultative Membership of the Antarctic Treaty in 1983 and involvement in the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources since July 1985. India is also a member of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research and played a crucial role in establishing a Minerals Regime for Antarctica in June 1988. To further advance ocean-related technologies and utilize coastal area and island resources, India established the National Institute of Ocean Technology, with special emphasis on biotechnology.
India has been at the forefront of promoting interdisciplinary endeavors in different sectors such as agriculture, industry, and human and animal life within developing nations. The National Biotechnology Board, founded in 1982, acts as a central hub for research in this field. In 1986, the Department of Biotechnology was established to facilitate progress. More recently, the formation of Biotechnology Consortium India Ltd. aims to encourage collaboration among research institutions, development organizations, and industrial and financial institutions.
New initiatives have been implemented in various fields. These include techniques for gene mapping, biodiversity conservation, and bio-indicators research. There are also special biotechnology programs specifically designed for the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. Additionally, there are ongoing activities related to plantation crops. Some areas of focus include improving the cattle herd through embryo transfer technology, propagating disease-resistant plant varieties through in vitro propagation, and developing vaccines for different diseases.
