The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is planning to update the existing policy framework by formulating a new policy in accordance with the latest challenges and potentials emerging in the sector.

The proposed Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy will replace the existing science and technology policy which was announced in 2003 and has gone almost outdated because of the fast changing scenario in the sector. One of the key targets of the policy will be to ensure affordable healthcare and the industry support schemes like Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Research Programme (DPRP) will be further promoted.

The department has also included the formulation of the policy as top priority agenda in its recently prepared result-document which has listed the main programmes, challenges, and expected results from January to March this year. The first draft of the proposed policy is expected to be ready soon. The department is even hoping that it can submit the policy for cabinet clearance by April, sources said.

“In the changing context of the scientific enterprise of the country, there is a need to revisit and reformulate the Science and Technology Policy enunciated last in 2003 and to include also innovations,” sources said. Apart from this main policy, the department is also working on other enabling policies for the research and development and is in touch with the stakeholders and other concerned departments.

The government has already announced that the national outlay for research and development will be hiked to two per cent of the GDP from the current level of one percent. The new policy will take this also into consideration so that research can be promoted in all areas including the health and biotechnology.

The main strategy under the new policy is expected to enhance synergy among academy, research and industry, build new strategies for development of private-public partnerships in R&D, step-up global alliances developed so far, and accelerate the pace of conversion of scientific outputs to targeted socio-economic and developmental outcomes, sources said.