Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Dec 25: India possesses a wealth of scientific talent, but experts say the country’s overall investment in science and technology remains modest, limiting its potential on the global stage.
At a panel discussion hosted by Ashoka University, Nobel Laureate Professor Jack Szostak, recognized for his work in Physiology or Medicine (2009), emphasized that increased funding in science and education is essential to tackling global challenges.
“India has enormously talented people, but overall investment in science and technology remains very modest. There are bright spots of world-class research, but they are small compared to what India could achieve,” Szostak said. He added that investing in science is not in opposition to social needs; rather, it provides long-term solutions to pressing societal problems.
Former Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Professor K. VijayRaghavan, called for expanding the scale and reach of research funding beyond elite institutions. “While India has invested in select missions and centres, the real challenge is widening access to research funding and enabling emerging institutions to utilize resources effectively,” he noted.
Yale University Professor Priyamvada Natarajan stressed the importance of sustained support for fundamental research. “This is a unique moment for India to focus on high-impact, interdisciplinary areas. Strategic investment in these emerging fields can position India not just as a follower, but as a leader in defining the next frontiers of science,” she said.
Professor Rajesh Gopakumar, Director of the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS–TIFR), highlighted the need for international collaboration. “To move forward, we need to open up our horizons—globalise our benchmarks and embrace science as an open-ended activity, fostering cross-disciplinary and international dialogue,” he stated.
The panel collectively underscored that with strategic investment and global engagement, India has the potential to significantly expand its scientific impact and innovation on the world stage.