Syllabus:GS3/ Science and Technology
Context
- India has risen to 39th position among 133 global economies in the Global Innovation Index 2024.
About
- The Global Innovation Index (GII) is published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized agency of the United Nations.
- It measures innovation based on criteria that include institutions, human capital and research, infrastructure, credit, investment, linkages; the creation, absorption and diffusion of knowledge; and creative outputs.
Global Innovation Index 2024
- Top performer: Switzerland, Sweden, the United States, Singapore and the United Kingdom
- Fastest 10-year climbers: China, Turkiye, India, Viet Nam and the Philippines.
India’s Performance
- India has been on a rising trajectory, over the past several years in the Global Innovation Index (GII), from a rank of 81 in 2015 to 40 in 2023.
- India’s strengths lie in key indicators such as Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services exports (at 1st place, globally), venture capital received and intangible asset intensity.
- India’s unicorn companies also secure the country the 8th rank globally.
Initiatives taken by India
- The Atal Innovation Mission has played a major role in expanding the Innovation ecosystem.
- The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) was established to foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.
- Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) established by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is aimed at strengthening and empowering emerging biotechnology enterprises to undertake strategic research and innovation.
- National Research Foundation (NRF): Announced as part of the National Education Policy 2020, NRF aims to promote a culture of research and innovation in universities and higher education institutions by funding interdisciplinary research.
Challenges
- Fragmented Innovation Ecosystem: India’s innovation ecosystem lacks integration between academia, industry, and government. Collaboration across these sectors is weak, leading to poor commercialization of research outputs
- Skill Mismatch and Brain Drain: Despite a large pool of STEM graduates, many lack the skills required for cutting-edge innovation.
- Additionally, many skilled professionals seek better opportunities abroad, contributing to brain drain.
- Infrastructural Bottlenecks: Insufficient infrastructure, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, hinders the growth of innovative enterprises.
- Private sector participation in R&D remains limited in India. However in leading innovative economies where private enterprises play a significant role in R&D.
Way Ahead
- The consistent improvement in the GII ranking is owing to the knowledge capital and vibrant start-up ecosystem.
- However there is a need to encourage more private sector involvement in R&D and innovation in emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, Quantum Computing etc.
| World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) – It is a self-funding agency of the United Nations, that serves the world’s innovators and creators, ensuring that their ideas travel safely to the market and improve lives everywhere. – Members: The organization has 193 member states including both developing and developed nations like India, Italy, Israel, Austria, Bhutan, Brazil, China, Cuba, Egypt, Pakistan, the U.S. and the U.K. – In 1974, WIPO joined the United Nations (UN) family of organizations, becoming a specialized agency of the UN. – Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland |
Source: AIR
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