DST–FICCI Workshop Highlights Importance of Strengthening India’s R&D and Innovation Ecosystem Through National S&T Survey 2024–25
FinTech BizNews Service
Mumbai, November 8, 2025: The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), organized a workshop on the National Science & Technology (S&T) Survey 2024–25, in Mumbai. The workshop brought together stakeholders from industry, academia, research institutions, and government agencies to deliberate on enhancing participation in the survey and to chart pathways for a stronger, data-driven innovation ecosystem in India.
The National S&T Survey, conducted by DST, serves as a critical tool for assessing India’s research and innovation landscape. It provides comprehensive insights into R&D investments, human resource capacities, and innovation outcomes across sectors. The workshop aimed to encourage greater engagement from enterprises, startups, academia to ensure a holistic picture of India’s R&D ecosystem.
Speaking at the session, Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, emphasized that the survey is vital for evidence-based policymaking and for catalyzing India’s journey toward becoming a global innovation leader.
“For India to achieve its vision of Viksit Bharat, research and innovation must become central to our growth story, not just in universities and labs, but across industries and startups. The National S&T Survey gives us the factual foundation to frame effective policies, bridge gaps, and design schemes that truly catalyze innovation-driven growth.” said Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST.
During the session, Prof. Abhay Karandikar noted that accurate data from the survey enables the government to identify sectors that need targeted support and to implement effective policy and financial interventions. “We don’t want the survey to be viewed as a compliance exercise. Instead, it should be seen as a national responsibility, a collective effort to map India’s R&D contributions and identify areas where private investment can grow. The insights we gather will directly help design better schemes and incentives that benefit both industry and the nation,” added Prof. Karandikar.
Highlighting recent government measures to boost innovation, Prof. Karandikar spoke about transformative initiatives such as the Rs1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), and national mission-mode programs like the National Quantum Mission, NM-ICPS, and AI Mission.
Prof Karandikar further highlighted “The Government of India is fully committed to catalyzing private sector R&D through bold reforms and flexible funding frameworks. The RDI Fund, for instance, has been designed to mitigate commercial risks and support long-gestation, high-impact technologies, a first-of-its-kind initiative to spur industry-led R&D at scale.”
“India today stands at an inflection point where industry-led R&D, university collaboration, and government reforms are converging. This is the right moment to scale our innovation intensity, to move from research to real products and from labs to the marketplace, ” said Dr. Vivek Kumar Singh, Senior Advisor, NITI Aayog, Government of India.
Dr. Vivek Kumar Singh added that “The National S&T Survey is not just a data exercise —, it is the foundation for evidence-based science policy in India. Reliable and timely R&D data enables us to design better programs, attract greater industry participation, and strengthen India’s position in global innovation indices.
Earlier during the workshop Dr. Arvind Kumar, Advisor & Head, NSTMIS, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India while speaking on a session on Building Robust R&D Statistics for Strategic Planning and Resource Allocation: Challenges and Way Forward added,`the National S&T Survey is not merely a data collection exercise, it is the foundation for evidence-based planning and strategic decision-making that strengthens India’s science and technology ecosystem. With over five decades of data, we aim to build a robust, dynamic R&D statistical framework that reflects India’s growing innovation capacity and global aspirations.’’
Dr. Kumar further added that the "Industry participation is pivotal for creating a comprehensive picture of India’s R&D landscape. Timely and accurate data submission enables us to benchmark progress, identify gaps, and design policies that drive inclusive and sustained scientific growth. Together, we can ensure that India’s R&D narrative is globally recognized and future-ready,"
“The National S&T Survey is not merely a statistical exercise; it’s a moment of national introspection. It asks us whether we are investing enough, investing wisely, and truly leveraging India’s scientific strength to serve society. Innovation in India is possible, it has been done, and it must now become our collective mission,” Dr. Murtaza Khorakiwala, Senior Member FICCI & Managing Director, Wockhardt
Dr. Murtaza went on to add that If an Indian company can develop world-class antibiotics with one-tenth the global cost, it proves our innovation potential. What we now need is the right ecosystem, fiscal incentives, faster regulatory pathways, stronger IP protection, and better university, industry linkages, to make India a global innovation powerhouse.
Whie concluding the workshop Prof. Abhay Karandikar, also stressed the importance of collaboration between startups, MSMEs, and larger corporations to build a robust innovation chain. “India today has a vibrant ecosystem of deep-tech startups working in sectors like space, defence, energy, and biotechnology. The time is ripe for industry and academia to co-create a globally competitive innovation landscape, one that positions India as a true leader in science, technology, and innovation.
The workshop concluded with a call for enhanced participation in the National S&T Survey 2024–25 from all R&D stakeholders, reinforcing the collective goal of building a resilient, data-driven, and innovation-led economy.
