NITI Aayog organized a pivotal two-day Consultative Meeting on Ease of Doing R&D from 27th to 28th May, 2025, at Raj Bhawan, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Co-chaired by Governor Smt. Anandiben Patel and Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member of NITI Aayog, the meeting brought together top voices from academia, central ministries, and scientific institutions to chart a reform roadmap for India’s R&D ecosystem.
High-Level Participation and Representation
The event witnessed the presence of key dignitaries, including:
- Smt. Anandiben Patel, Hon’ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh
- Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog
- Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR & Secretary, DSIR
- Dr. Sudhir M. Bobde, Additional Chief Secretary to the Governor
- Prof. Vinod Kumar Singh, President, The National Academy of Sciences, India
More than 50 universities, laboratories, and research institutions participated, ensuring diverse representation from India’s research and innovation community.
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Collaborative Efforts: Academia, Government, and Industry
In her keynote address, Governor Patel emphasized the critical need for collaborative synergy between academia, government agencies, and industry players. She underscored the role of R&D in shaping India’s technological sovereignty and global competitiveness.
Dr. Saraswat reaffirmed NITI Aayog’s commitment to catalyzing policy reforms, streamlining R&D operations, and fostering an innovation-friendly environment.
NITI Aayog’s Reform Agenda on R&D
Prof. Vivek Kumar Singh, Senior Adviser at NITI Aayog, detailed the ongoing initiative aimed at improving the Ease of Doing R&D. This includes comprehensive reviews of policy bottlenecks, fund disbursement issues, and procurement challenges for scientific infrastructure.
Key Issues Raised During the Consultations
Participants flagged several systemic challenges that hinder R&D in India:
- Cumbersome administrative procedures in research approvals
- Low national R&D expenditure relative to global benchmarks
- Delayed funding cycles and procurement delays for equipment
- Insufficient private sector engagement in national research initiatives
- Lengthy ethical and regulatory clearances
- Persistent brain drain due to better infrastructure and funding abroad
The discussions stressed that without urgent reform, India risks falling behind in the global innovation race.
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Strategic Focus Areas for Reform
In response to the concerns raised, NITI Aayog is:
- Streamlining administrative approvals and clearance systems
- Improving fund flow mechanisms for timely and transparent disbursals
- Encouraging public-private partnerships in research
- Enhancing accountability and autonomy in scientific institutions
- Creating frameworks to retain top talent within India
- Supporting the development of robust infrastructure and career pathways for researchers
Shared Vision for a Stronger R&D Ecosystem
The meeting ended with a clear consensus: India must urgently reform its R&D systems to boost innovation, attract talent, and deliver socio-economic progress.
A compilation of recommendations, stakeholder feedback, and policy suggestions will now inform actionable next steps. These reforms aim to make India a global hub for high-impact research and development.
Conclusion
The Ease of Doing R&D meeting in Lucknow represents a crucial step toward building an inclusive, agile, and innovation-driven R&D ecosystem. With NITI Aayog spearheading policy transformation, and collective backing from academic and scientific institutions, India is poised to unlock its scientific potential and technological leadership in the coming decades.