Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2013: outline of a coherent strategy for translating it into action

Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) 2013, announced in January 2013 during the centenary session of the Indian Science Congress held in Kolkata, declared in no uncertain terms that the science, technology and innovation (STI) system would be the driving force for a faster, sustainable and inclusive economic growth of India. In the past we have witnessed successful applications of science and technology (S&T) in addressing societal problems in India, in the Green Revolution, the White Revolution and in space and communication science to name a few. This has helped improve the quality of life of a large part of our population and strengthened our economic independence. We have also before us, the examples of war-ravaged Japan, which resurrected its economy post World War II and systematically went up the technology ladder by virtue of its reliance on strength of S&T. In the recent past countries like South Korea, have emerged as technological giants in the competitive world. In this backdrop, our new STIP appears to be most appropriate. It is absolutely necessary to launch policy initiatives simultaneously in different spheres to create an enabling environment for successful implementation of the different aspects of this STIP. This article attempts to draw an outline of such a coherent strategy.