#emphasisongenderequality

Introduction

The draft of the New Science Technology and Innovation Policy, aimed at making India self-reliant in the field of science and technology and bringing the country in line with the world's leading nations in scientific research and development in the next decade, was finalized.

Main point

- In order to attract and nurture critical human resources towards science and technology as well as retain them in this sector, emphasis has been laid on developing a 'people-centered' ecosystem under this policy. - In the new policy, emphasis has also been laid on doubling the number of full-time equivalent researchers, Gross Domestic Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD), and private sector contribution to GERD every five years. - According to analysts, all these efforts will help in establishing individual and institutional excellence in the field of science, technology, and innovation during the next decade, and will play an important role in bringing the country to the global stage.

Based on the core principles of the inclusive spirit

- The policy is based on the core principles of a decentralized, evidence-based, bottom-up focused approach and inclusive spirit. - The drafting of the new policy has witnessed extensive deliberations across the country, including for the first time involving the participation of states. Nearly 300 phases of consultation have been conducted during the draft formulation process, involving over 40,000 participants from different geographies, age groups, genders, educational backgrounds, and economic levels. - It aims to bring about a big change through projects with short, medium, and long-term mission modes by creating a better ecosystem focused on science and technology, which fosters research and innovation both at the individual and organizational levels.

Emphasis on gender equality

- The draft policy states that gay, transgender communities, etc. (LGBTQ plus) will also be included in the gender equality dialogue. In this, special provisions will be made to protect the rights of the members of the community, and their participation in STIs will be encouraged. - STIP will pave the way for the establishment of a National STI (Science, Technology & Innovation) Center, which will act as the central repository of all data created in the STI environment. It will be an open centralized database platform for all types of financial schemes, programs, grants, and incentives.

Making STI Education Better

- The policy also mentions strategies to improve STI education. STI education will be made inclusive at all levels and will be more linked to the economy and thus society will develop through the process of skill development, training, and infrastructure improvement. - With the goal of expanding the financial scope of the STI environment, each Ministry of the Centre, each Department of the State and Local Governments, Public Sector Enterprises, Public Sector Companies, and Start-ups set up an STI unit with minimum budget allocation for STI activities.

Way ahead