* As per the Economic Survey 2022, India’s GERD as a percentage of GDP stood at 0.66%.
* Expanding middle-class and increasing affordability are demand drivers for technologically advanced products.
* There are 1,30,000 startups (besides unicorns) in December 2023 from 350 startups in 2014.
* India is the top exporter of IT products, has the third-largest pharma sector and a fast-growing contract research segment.
* State University Research Excellence (SERB-SURE) to create a robust R&D ecosystem in state universities and colleges; Fund for Industrial Research Engagement (SERB-FIRE) to support research and development to solve critical problems that are relevant to industries in a public-private partnership mode.
* In September 2021, India published the amended Patents Rules (2021) and reduced fees by 80% for educational institutions.
* DST has been a pioneer in establishing a network of Technology Business Incubators (TBI) and Science & Technology Entrepreneur’s Parks (STEP) across the country under the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) program.
* Establishment of CoEs in various areas. NMITLI initiative on PPP basis.
* Increased investment by private players. Setting up R&D centres.
* India has witnessed an investment of over Rs.1,000 crore (US$ 120.21 million) in Space Startups in the last nine months between April to December 2023.