GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 105
TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.02.2007

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

105. SHRI JAI PARKASH AGGARWAL:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a) whether India has ranked at lower position in field of scientific research and development in the world;

(b) if so, the number of application filed by Indian scientists and other developed and developing countries for patenting new inventions during the last five years; and

(c) the remedial steps taken to boost the progress in the field of research and development in India ?

A N S W E R

MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES

(KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) No Sir. Any comparison of India's position in scientific research and development vis-à-vis other countries is unrealistic in view of the availability of resources, infrastructure for R&D and wage differentials. International comparison in scientific research and development is generally made in terms of expenditure on R&D as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to the available official statistics, India's expenditure on Research and Development (R&D) of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is lower compared to that in the developed countries and a few developing countries like Brazil and China, but it is higher compared to several developing countries like Argentina, Cuba and Sri Lanka. The R&D expenditure as percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the year 2002-03 was around 0.80%.

(b) The number of patents for new invention filed by Indian Scientists and other developed and developing countries during the five years period from 2001-02 to 2005-06 is annexed.

(c) In order to boost the R&D activities in the country, the Government has enhanced the S&T Plan outlay of Scientific Departments/Agencies from Rs.12,022 crores in 9th Plan to Rs.25,243 crores in 10th Plan and plans to increase it further in 11th Plan. Further, various initiatives have been taken by the Government to encourage investment on R&D both in institutions and industry through several measures. These measures include higher allocation to scientific research, setting up of new institutions for science education and research, creation of centres of excellence and facilities in emerging and frontline areas in academic and national institutes, strengthening infrastructure for R&D in universities, encouraging public-private R&D partnerships, grants for industrial R&D projects, income tax relief on R&D expenditure, weighted tax deduction for sponsored research, custom duty exemption on goods imported for use in Government funded R&D projects, tax holiday and national awards for outstanding R&D.

ANNEXURE

APPLICATIONS FOR PATENTS AT INDIAN PATENT OFFICE (IPO) IN THE YEARS 2001-02 TO 2005-06

Applicants	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06
Indians	2371	2693	3218	3630	4521
Foreigners Resident Abroad	1870	1723	1678	3165	4517

Source: Annual Reports of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks.

Note: Foreigners Resident Abroad include broadly the residents of Common Wealth Countries, American, European, African and Asian countries.

APPLICATIONS FOR PATENTS FILED THROUGH PCT IN THE YEARS 2001-02 TO 2005-06

PCT Applicants	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06
Indians *	295	525	764	723	678
Foreigners Resident Abroad	6351	7049	7717	10671	15467

Data refers to calendar year.

Source: Annual Reports of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks.
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Geneva www.wipo.int

Note: Foreigners Resident Abroad include broadly the residents of Common Wealth Countries, American, European, African and Asian countries.

Indian Applicants include patents filed by Indians through PCT designating foreign countries.
Foreigners Resident Abroad includes patents filed through PCT designating India.