Fri Sep 26 17:56:31 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The Indian Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) is delaying the publication of its biennial National Science and Technology Survey due to poor response rates from private sector research and development (R&D) firms. The survey, which tracks India’s scientific research landscape, relies on data from public and private entities to assess R&D expenditure, the number of scientists, patent generation, and international research spending comparisons. While government institutions have largely complied, private sector firms, including industry bodies and multinational companies, are lagging. The previous survey revealed that India spent only 0.64% of its GDP on scientific research, far lower than developed countries, with a majority of funding coming from the public sector. Industry representatives cite unclear definitions of “research and development spending” in the government questionnaire as a barrier to participation. The MoST plans to extend the deadline for submissions to encourage greater private sector involvement.

**News Article:**

**India’s Science Ministry Postpones Research Survey Amidst Private Sector Reluctance**

**New Delhi, September 26, 2025** – The Indian Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) has announced a delay in publishing its crucial National Science and Technology Survey due to a disappointing response from private sector research and development (R&D) firms. The survey, conducted biennially since the mid-1990s, is a vital tool for gauging the state of scientific research in India.

The survey aims to provide insights into key metrics, including India’s domestic R&D expenditure, the proportion of GDP dedicated to research, the number of scientists (with gender breakdowns), patent generation, and international comparisons in research spending.

“We will likely extend the date until November 30 and publish the results within a month,” stated Arvind Kumar, head of the National Science and Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS), the Science Ministry division overseeing the survey.

According to data presented at a Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) workshop on Friday, government R&D institutions have largely responded (73%), but participation from industry bodies (35%) and multinational companies (9%) remains low.

Concerns are mounting as the last survey revealed that India spent a meager 0.64% of its GDP on scientific research in 2020-21, significantly lower than developed nations like the United States, China, and South Korea, which allocate between 1.5% and 3.5% of their GDP to R&D. Additionally, the majority of India’s R&D funding (75%) comes from the public sector, contrasting with advanced economies where private firms are the primary contributors.

Industry representatives point to ambiguities in the government questionnaire’s definition of “research and development spending” as a major challenge.

“Many a time, the questionnaire doesn’t provide clarity on the numbers that we need to fill,” said Sankalp Sinha, General Manager, IBM India.

The MoST hopes that extending the deadline and clarifying survey requirements will encourage greater participation from the private sector, ultimately providing a more comprehensive and accurate picture of India’s scientific research landscape.

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