Measures of progress in science and technology

Research publications are clearly one of the quantitative measures for the basic research activity in a country. The root cause for stagnancy in the number of research publications from India seems related to talented and bright young students riot opting for careers in science in recent years. Apart from basic research, there are other kinds of research and technology development also, e.g. mission-oriented, industry-oriented, country-specific, etc. The Principal Scientific Adviser's office has taken up projects on measures of progress of science and technology in some areas: on Indian patenting activity, on agricultural and rural development and on publication output. It is also necessary to measure achievements in high-technology and in country-specific research.