Now Reading: India’s science ecosystem rewards visibility over discovery, scientists say
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India’s science ecosystem rewards visibility over discovery, scientists say
India’s science ecosystem rewards visibility over discovery, scientists say
India has extraordinary talent, strong institutions and increasing political commitment to innovation, but its scientific ecosystem often rewards visibility more than discovery, according to scientists quoted in a column in The Indian…
India has extraordinary talent, strong institutions and increasing political commitment to innovation, but its scientific ecosystem often rewards visibility more than discovery, according to scientists quoted in a column in The Indian Express.
Recent public controversies over academic claims and announcements are not isolated incidents but reveal a deeper structural problem in the Indian research ecosystem. Press conferences, social-media announcements, ceremonial launches and headline-friendly claims receive more attention than the slow, rigorous process that leads to genuine breakthroughs.
The piece argues that scientific ecosystems ultimately reflect the leadership that shapes them, and that India needs a shift in focus from visibility to substantive discovery.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The critique mirrors concerns raised in several parliamentary committee reports over the past decade about India's low research output relative to its spending. India's gross expenditure on R&D as a share of GDP has stagnated around 0.6-0.7%, far below China (over 2%) and the US (around 3%). The government's National Research Foundation, approved in 2023, is meant to bridge the gap between funding and outcomes, but its operational impact is yet to be seen. A key test will be whether institutions begin rewarding peer-reviewed publication and replication over press briefings and ceremonial launches. The National Science Day address by the principal scientific adviser in 2025, which stressed process over announcement, is one signal to watch.
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Source: indianexpress.com
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