The third regional consultation on the 'Ease of Doing Research & Development (R&D)' successfully concluded at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu, held in collaboration with NITI Aayog on July 14-15, 2025. This two-day summit, hosted at IIT Jammu's Jagti campus, marked a significant step in a broader national initiative aimed at reforming and reimagining India’s R&D ecosystem through regionally grounded, high-level stakeholder engagement.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Jitendra Singh, inaugurated the event as the Chief Guest, underscoring the Government of India's unwavering commitment to scientific advancement and research-led national growth. The consultation gathered key stakeholders from various research and academic institutions across North India, including Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab. Notable attendees included Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog; Prof. Manoj Singh Gaur, Director, IIT Jammu; Prof. Vinod Kumar Singh, President, The National Academy of Sciences, India; and Prof. Vivek Kumar Singh, Senior Adviser, NITI Aayog, alongside senior representatives from scientific ministries, funding agencies, and over 50 research and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

Discussions at the meeting critically addressed India’s current R&D landscape. Government data reveals that while India’s investment in R&D has notably increased over the past decade, doubling from Rs 60,196 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 1,27,381 crore, its expenditure as a percentage of GDP has remained stagnant between 0.6% and 0.7%. This contrasts sharply with developed and emerging economies where business enterprises contribute over 50% to the Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD), with countries like China, Japan, South Korea, and the USA exceeding 70%. In the USA, private sector giants like Google and Amazon account for approximately 70% of R&D spending, while China combines major government funding with increasing private sector involvement, leading to R&D spending of about 2.1% of its GDP. The Economic Survey highlights the urgent need for greater private sector contribution in India, as R&D funding is predominantly government-sourced.

The primary objective of the consultative meeting was to deliberate on policy and procedural bottlenecks that impede research productivity and innovation in India. Key areas of discussion included simplifying procurement and financial systems, enhancing autonomy in institutional decision-making, improving research infrastructure, and optimizing funding frameworks. The participants also explored strategies to enhance inter-institutional and industry-academia collaborations, and build capacity in emerging geographies beyond traditional metro-centric ecosystems.

Insights from a diverse group of eminent speakers and focused thematic discussions aimed at strengthening the country’s research landscape. Strategies discussed included accelerating R&D in academic institutions by improving infrastructure, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and streamlining access to funding. Deliberations also focused on empowering R&D personnel through reforms in recruitment, retention, and capacity-building mechanisms to enable cutting-edge research. A significant emphasis was placed on translating academic research—such as publications and patents—into marketable products, promoting industry-academia linkages, and incentivizing innovation. The sessions collectively explored critical policy reforms and systemic changes essential for enhancing the overall ease of doing R&D in India.

This regional dialogue builds upon the foundations laid during earlier consultations held at Raj Bhawan, Lucknow (May 2025), and CSIR–Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun (June 2025). The insights generated from the IIT Jammu meeting will be crucial in shaping a national-level reform blueprint being developed by NITI Aayog for the future of Indian R&D. Participants collectively stressed the importance of aligning national R&D objectives with global benchmarks while ensuring inclusivity across all regions and institutions. Calls were made for policy innovation to bridge the gap between research and commercialization, alongside improving ease of access to funding and reducing procedural delays. India currently offers various incentives like grants, loans, tax exemptions, and patent-related benefits for R&D. Furthermore, initiatives such as Start-Up India, Digital India, and the Atal Innovation Mission, along with the Technology Development Board and state government support, are in place to foster entrepreneurship, research, and technological advancement.