Why in News ?

Department of Science and Technology (DST) released the latest Science & Technology Indicators Report (STI) for 2019-20 at the end of August.

About the Science & Technology Indicators Report

• India performs very dismally in the field of science & technology innovation.
• Indians claims to being skilled in science and technology lacking in good ideas is the reason for  Indian product or business model has made the global cut.
• The STI report revealed that between 2005-06 and 2017-18, a total of 510,000 patent applications were filed in the country.
  • During these 13 years only 24 per cent of patent claims came from Indians.

What is the reason for poor performance ?

• Poor investment in research and development (R&D) by the government, and more glaringly, by the private sector.
• The pathetic state of higher education.
• lack of employable personnel who have neither the skills nor the aptitude in a variety of fields.
• K Kasturirangan who steered a committee that formulated a New Education Policy cited the reason as
  • The research content at major institutions, specially at universities, had to be toned up.
• Most start-ups have failed because they lack pioneering ideas based on new technologies.

Global Scenario of Patent

• Two-thirds of all patent, trademark and industrial design applications in 2018 were claimed in Asia.
  • China driving overall growth in demand for intellectual property (IP) rights in a fast pace manner.
  • Asia has become a global hub for innovation
• In the global level U.S ranks first followed by Japan (206,739), Germany (106,753), the Republic of Korea (69,459) and China (66,429).

Need of the Hour

• Proper funding for the research and development by government and private sector.
• Pure research which can be done when Indians will come up with new and original ideas instead of copying and altering the original.
• A conducive environment for start-ups and promote with the cooperation of global talents.

Source : Down To Earth

Topic

Prelims : About Science & Technology Indicators

GS III : Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights

Current Affairs Compilation : 24 September 2020