4.1. Historical Evolution of S&T Policy

India’s focus on science and technology is not a recent phenomenon. Its roots can be traced back to antiquity, with evidence of sophisticated technical knowledge visible in the urban planning, drainage systems, and road networks of the Indus Valley Civilization. However, the modern foundation for S&T in India was laid after independence, largely through the vision of its first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He placed a strong emphasis on education as the cornerstone for building a scientific and technological society. This vision was formalized through a series of national policies designed to guide and promote S&T development, with India eventually declaring the decade of 2010-2020 as the “Decade of Innovation.” This chronological evolution reflects India’s changing priorities and growing ambitions.

Scientific Policy Resolution of 1958

This was India’s first formal science policy. Its primary emphasis was on fostering basic research across almost every field of science. The resolution recognized the need to cultivate a scientific temper and put a strong focus on developing the basic infrastructure—laboratories, universities, and research institutions—necessary for scientific work to flourish.

The Technology Policy Statement of 1983

Nearly a quarter-century later, the focus shifted from foundational science to practical application. The 1983 policy centered on the goals of achieving technological competence and self-reliance. It aimed to translate scientific knowledge into indigenous technologies, reducing the nation’s dependence on foreign imports and building domestic industrial capabilities.

The Science and Technology Policy of 2003

By the turn of the millennium, the discourse had evolved to explicitly link S&T with national progress. The 2003 policy was designed to bring the benefits of science and technology to the forefront of the national agenda. It focused on increasing investment in research and development (R&D) and sought to create a national innovation system by integrating socio-economic programs with the country’s R&D infrastructure to address pressing national problems.

This historical progression set the stage for a more holistic and ambitious policy framework in the following decade.

4.2. The Modern Framework: STI Policy 2013 and Beyond

The Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) Policy of 2013 marked a significant paradigm shift. It officially recognized STI as a primary driver of faster, sustainable, and inclusive national development. The policy’s central motto became “Science technology and innovation for the people,” explicitly connecting scientific advancement to the well-being of the populace and the achievement of national goals.

The STI Policy 2013 outlined a comprehensive set of objectives aimed at transforming India’s innovation landscape. Key features included promoting a scientific temper across all sections of society and making careers in science and research attractive to talented young minds. A central goal was to position India among the top five global scientific powers by 2020 by establishing world-class R&D infrastructure in select frontier areas of science.

The policy also sought to enhance private sector participation in R&D and create new public-private partnership (PPP) structures to convert research outputs into societal and commercial applications. It aimed to foster a culture that recognizes and rewards innovation that creates wealth from scientific knowledge, thereby building a robust national innovation system. This policy’s emphasis on enhanced private sector participation found a direct outlet in initiatives such as the Information Technology Investment Regions (ITIRs), which we will explore further, designed as dedicated ecosystems for technological growth.

This policy direction was reinforced by the 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17), which emphasized the creation of national R&D facilities, the growth of scientific partnerships, and large-scale investment in mega science projects, both in India and abroad.

A key institution in this framework is the National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC). Its mandate is to promote scientific thinking and disseminate S&T information to the masses through various media, including television and digital platforms. The NCSTC focuses on training in science communication, developing S&T software, and organizing crucial outreach programs like the National Children’s Science Congress.

Through these progressive plans and policies, India continues to drive its S&T development, with a particularly strong focus on the sector that has defined the 21st century: Information Technology.