India’s focus on S&T policy is not a recent phenomenon, with evidence of advanced planning visible even in the Indus Valley Civilization. Post-independence, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation by emphasizing education and S&T.

• Scientific Policy Resolution of 1958: The first policy, which emphasized basic research in nearly every field of science and the development of necessary infrastructure.
• The Technology Policy Statement of 1983: The second policy, focused on achieving technological competence and self-reliance.
• The Science and Technology Policy of 2003: This policy brought the benefits of S&T to the forefront, focusing on R&D investment and integrating national R&D systems with socio-economic sectors to address national problems.
• Science, Technology & Innovation Policy 2013: This policy established “Science technology and innovation for the people” as its guiding paradigm. It aims to make India a top-five global scientific power by 2020 by promoting scientific temper, enhancing private sector R&D participation, and creating a robust national innovation system. The decade of 2010-2020 was declared the “Decade of Innovation.”

The 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17) further emphasized large-scale investment in mega-science projects, partnership growth, and the creation of national R&D facilities. The National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) focuses on promoting scientific thinking among the masses through various media.