UPSC Science Technology UPSC UPSC UPSC UPSC Upsc Upsc Upsc Upsc UPSC BPSC MPPSC UPPSC CAPF CDS NDA™
UPSC Science Technology UPSC UPSC UPSC UPSC Upsc Upsc Upsc Upsc UPSC BPSC MPPSC UPPSC CAPF CDS NDA™
February 16, 2025 at 03:01 PM
🔆Current Context: Reactions from scientists and science administrators to the 2025-26 Union Budget of India, focusing on research and innovation, with concerns about funding and priorities. Positive Aspects: ✅Increased Allocation: Substantial increase in funds for the Department of Science & Technology (DST). Ex: ₹20,000 crore for private sector R&D, ₹100 crore for National Geospatial Mission. ✅Focus on Deeptech: ₹10,000 crore corpus for startups in AI, biotech, space technology. ✅Emphasis on Collaboration: Bringing together academia, private sector, startups for national missions. ✅Initiatives: Nuclear Energy Mission, clean tech initiatives, Atal Tinkering Labs. Concerns: ✅Funding Disparity: Uneven distribution of funds. Ex: Central universities received less increase (4.3%) compared to IITs (8.4%). ✅Basic Science Neglect: Funding for basic science research reduced. Ex: IISc and IISERs saw budget cuts. ✅Curiosity-Driven Research: Corporatisation of science driven by immediate utility, rigid bureaucracy in funding. ✅Low Allocation for Education: Budget allocation for education (2.54% of GDP) falls short of NEP-2020 recommendation (6%). ✅AI Bandwagon: Concern about rushing into AI without proper benchmarks and societal benefit focus. ✅Nuclear Energy Push: Ambitious nuclear power targets raise concerns about safety and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) viability. Specific Comments: ✅Abhay Karandikar (DST Secretary): Budget provides unprecedented thrust on research & innovation. ✅Tapasya Srivastava (University of Delhi): Basic science research has taken a backseat. ✅N. Kalaiselvi (CSIR Director-General): Budget reinforces STI as key enabler of progress. ✅Rajesh Gokhale (DBT Secretary): Demonstrates commitment to biotech sector. ✅K.S. Parthasarathy (Former AERB Secretary): Ambitious nuclear targets are challenging. ✅Soumitro Banerjee (IISER Kolkata): Low allocation to crucial science sectors is dismaying. ✅C.P. Rajendran (NIAS Bengaluru): Budget infuses funding for S&T but allocation for DSIR is nominal. Possible Questions: ✅Prelims: Which of the following is/are a concern(s) raised by scientists regarding the 2025-26 Union Budget for India? Reduced funding for basic science research. Insufficient allocation for the education sector. Overemphasis on nuclear energy and AI without adequate safeguards. (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 ✅Mains: "While the 2025-26 Union Budget signals a welcome focus on research and innovation, concerns remain about funding priorities and the neglect of basic sciences." Discuss this statement, highlighting the specific concerns raised by scientists and suggesting measures to address them. #science_and_technology #science_technology #prelims #mains

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