India lags far behind China, US in R&D expenditure: Vardhan

India's investment in science and technology lags far behind that of China, South Korea and the US and the government aims to invest 2 per cent of its GDP on research and development under the 12th Plan against only 0.88 per cent in 2011-12, Rajya Sabha was informed today.
Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan said the US and South Korea had invested 2.76 per cent and 4.04 per cent of their GDP, respectively on research and development (R&D) in 2011-12.
In terms of Purchasing Power Parity, Indian investment in science and technology during the year was 36.2 US billion dollar whereas China, the US and South Korea invested 205.4, 429.1 and 58.4 US billion dollar respectively, he said.

Vardhan, however, added that India's investment is higher than many countries such as Brazil, Canada and Sweden which spent 27.4, 24.7 and 13.4 US billion dollar, respectively.
"The private sector contribution in R&D as percentage of GDP in India is only one-third while two-third is being contributed by the public sector. The private sector participation in India's R&D has not kept pace with many developed and emerging countries in the world," he told the Rajya Sabha.