EconomySaturday, 8 August 2026·The Hindu - Economy
India’s R&D spending crosses 0.8% of GDP in 2021-22; private industry becomes majority contributor by 2023-24
DST data show India’s GERD rose to 0.83% of GDP in 2021-22, while private industry’s share reached 51.8% in 2023-24.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In July 2026, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) told the Lok Sabha that India’s Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) had risen to 0.83% of GDP in 2021-22, the first time since 2010 that the country crossed the 0.8% mark.
Key specifics
- GERD fell to 0.64% of GDP in 2020-21, then jumped to 0.83% in 2021-22.
- Private industry’s share of national R&D spending rose from 45.5% in 2021-22 to 51.8% in 2023-24.
- GERD increased from ₹1.27 lakh crore in 2020-21 to ₹1.95 lakh crore in 2021-22, then to ₹2.45 lakh crore in 2023-24.
- DST compiles official R&D statistics through NSTMIS, which has conducted national science surveys since 1973.
- The 2022-23 edition expanded coverage to multinational companies and enterprises outside the DSIR recognition scheme.
Exam lens
Economy and science-policy question type: match the following and data-based MCQ, with DST, NSTMIS, GERD, 0.83% of GDP in 2021-22, and private industry at 51.8% in 2023-24 as key one-liners.