Topic: Issues relating to intellectual property rights
Q5. Identify the structural weaknesses in India’s research, development and innovation (RDI) ecosystem. Analyse the role of private-sector investment in strengthening innovation capacity. Also outline institutional reforms required to transform India into an innovation-led economy. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: TH
Why the question
India’s aspiration of becoming a Viksit Bharat and innovation-driven economy requires strengthening its research, development and innovation (RDI) ecosystem. Recent policy initiatives such as the RDI Fund and National Research Foundation highlight the importance of addressing structural weaknesses and enhancing private-sector participation in innovation.
Key Demand of the question
The question requires identifying the structural weaknesses in India’s RDI ecosystem, analysing how private-sector investment can strengthen innovation capacity, and suggesting institutional reforms necessary to transform India into an innovation-led economy.
Structure of the Answer
Introduction
Briefly define the concept of innovation-led growth or national innovation ecosystem, linking it to India’s low R&D intensity and innovation indicators.
Body
- Structural weaknesses in RDI ecosystem – highlight systemic issues such as low R&D expenditure, weak research-to-market translation, and limited research workforce.
- Role of private-sector investment – explain how industry participation can expand R&D funding, drive commercialisation of research, and support deep-tech innovation.
- Institutional reforms for innovation-led economy – suggest reforms such as strengthening industry–academia linkages, improving intellectual property systems, expanding research funding, and building a stronger innovation ecosystem.
Conclusion
Emphasise that transforming India into a knowledge and innovation-driven economy requires deeper collaboration between government, industry and academia, along with sustained institutional reforms.
