Planning Commission for comprehensive research policy

With research output going down in Indian universities, the Planning Commission will take up with the government and concerned agencies the need to evolve a national policy for promotion of research.

Planning Commission member Dr Narendra Jadhav has said that the country needs a comprehensive policy for encouragement of research activities in universities.    

"The dip in research is a matter of concern. We need to have a national policy to encourage research. We will work out a policy in consultation with the government, University Grants Commission and other related agencies," he said.    

Jadhav's views assume significance as India has been lagging behind several countries in research output. While in foreign countries, about 4500-6500 people do research and development per a million population, the average in India is 156.    

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in January this year had expressed concern over the dip in university research and the low enrollment of students in the science stream.    

The government-appointed committee on 'Renovation and Rejuvenation of Higher Education', which submitted its report to the HRD Ministry last week, has felt the need for augmenting research and has recommended setting up of a National Commission for Higher Education and Research. The Commission will connect with industry and other economic sectors to promote innovations.

"Apart from policy, the other important factor is that there should be a mindset for research. The teachers and researchers should get encouragement for their work," Jadhav added.    

He gave the example of University of Pune which has earmarked Rs 8 crore for research alone. The varsity, where Jadhav served as the vice chancellor till recently, gives Rs 50,000 to Rs three lakh for each research project.    

The government has earmarked Rs 600 crore per annum for supporting research activities in universities.

The Ministry of HRD has asked the UGC, which provides financial support to the universities, to earmark 20 per cent of its budget for supporting the research activities.    

The ministry has also asked the UGC to implement the recommendations of a Task Force for basic science research, headed by Prof M M Sharma. The objective is to increase the number of Ph.Ds in the universities by five times in ten years time.    

Out of Rs 600 crore, about Rs 400 crore will be spent on infrastructural development, including setting up new laboratories and facilities. About Rs 150 crore will be spent on setting up of 10 centres of Basic Sciences.