SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Introduction 17.1 India has had a long and distinguished tradition in science and technology. In the half-century prior to Independence, India produced many scientists who achieved world renown; generally, they were teacherresearchers in educational institutions. At the time of Independence, the industrial and technological base of the country was very small. Since then a scientific and technological infrastructure, covering a very broad spectrum of disciplines has been created. Scientific and technological accomplishments of significant magnitude have been seen in areas of high-technology like atomic energy, space and electronics, while closer to the lives of the masses, the success in attaining self-sufficiency in foodgrain production, based on genetic engineering, has been equally spectacular. Indian scientists and technologists have been able to fulfil national expectations when clear-cut objectives and tasks are indicated and necessary support provided. The true contribution of science is to endow a nation with competence and confidence, in terms of both these criteria, the self- reliance developed in many areas, and in terms of economic returns, India has reaped ample rewards from the investments made in science and technology.
17.2 For sustaining the thrust towards emergence of an industrialising economy with rising levels of scientific and technological maturity and self-reliance, a major effort in science and technology is clearly called for. The per capita income and quality of life that a nation enjoys is, in the final analysis, dependent largely on the technology it adopts, and which in turn has to be appropriate to its endowments, resources and skills. Any over dependence on imports from abroad could in the case of a country of India's size and complexity, involve a heavy price too large to pay: hence self-reliance-which really implies scientific and technological self-reliance.
17.3 During the Sixth Plan there has been significant expansion and consolidation of the scientific infrastructure, resulting in a sound base for major application of science and technology for national development in the Seventh Plan. The resulting capabilities have been taken note of in preparing the plan for the Science and Technology sector.
REVIEW OF THE SIXTH PLAN
Institutional Arrangements 17.4 In the Sixth Plan, to give the necessary thrust to areas such as environment, ocean development and non-conventional sources of energy, new Departments were established-the Department of Environment in November 1980, the Commission for Additional Sources of Energy in March, 1981 and subsequently the Department of Ocean Development in July 1981 and the Department of Non-Conventional Energy Sources, in September, 1982.
17.5 A Cabinet Committee on Science and Technology (CCST) was constituted on 3rd March, 1981 under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister to provide policy guidance in all matters relating to S&T. A Science Advisory Committee to the Cabinet (SACC) was set up in March, 1981; Member (Science) in the Planning Commission is Chairman of SACC, to ensure appropriate linkages with the Planning Commission. As recommended by the SACC, a National Biotechnology Board (NBTB), was established in 1982 as an inter-ministerial coordinating agency, to accelerate the pace of development in the frontier and emerging areas of biotechnology. This area has great relevance for agriculture, medicine and industry.
17.6 To deal with the problems of unemployment and manpower planning among science and technology personnel, a National Science and Technology Entre, reneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), was set up in 1982 to prepare a basket of employment opportunities, including self-employment, to arrange for training of S&T personnel in entrepreneurial matters and to channel institutional finance for promoting self-employment among scientific and technological personnel. For popularising science and to develop a scientific temper in the country, a National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) was set up in May, 1982. These new organisational structures were created to initiate, promote, develop and strengthen S&T activities in the country.
17.7 There has been growing awareness of the need to promote a proper environment for scientific work, so that scientists and technologists can make the most effective use of existing facilities, and so that they can perform the tasks assigned to them without experiencing any frustration. Government has approved several measures in this connection to provide more incentives and facilities to scientists and technologists.
17.8 The Technology Policy Statement (TPS), was announced in January, 1983. This is a major policy statement of Government covering a whole range of issues relating to technology: indigenous development,
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assessment, forecasting, import and subsequent absorption, adaptation and further development, fiscal aspects, etc. To evolve mechanisms for implementing the TPS, a Technology Policy Implementation Committee (TPIC) has been constituted by Government.
17.9 A special scheme to provide funds to some institutions of higher education on a selective basis is now being implemented by the University Grants Commission. The aim is to enable the institutions to strengthen and modernise their infrastructure for undertaking work in frontline areas in S&T.
Progress and Perspective for the Future 17.10 There have been major accomplishments in many areas of S&T during the Sixth Plan; these have had significant impact on the socioeconomic progress of the country and promoting self-reliance. Some of these are briefly outlined below:
17.11 Agriculture: With the existing strong base of agricultural research and education, agricultural scientists moved into the new areas of repatterning of genetic architecture to increase productivity of crops: the development of hybrid maize, dwarf rice, hybrid sorghum, hybrid pearl millet, dwarf wheat, etc., are some of the important milestones. A subsistence agriculture was thus transformed into a commercial agricultural system through massive application of science and technology. The effort now called for is an enlargement of the agricultural base to bring about increased production in low-productivity areas of the country, and to improve yields in specific crops of great importance such as rice, pulses and oilseeds.
17.12 Basic research in agriculture has related to: work on photosynthesis and photo-respiration; the development of new rhizobium strains for nitrogen fixation; use of tissue culture techniques in important crops; induction of haploids through anther and pollen culture; and genetic engineering related to animal sciences, especially viral genetics including gene splicing for vaccine production. A significant research accomplishment has been the cloning and expression of histone gene in rice. There will be a continuing major thrust in basic work, particularly related to the new biotechnologies. There is at present a major gap in the transfer of available knowledge to the field, along with provision of all the inputs necessary to make effective use of the recommended package of practices; closing this gap alone will make possible large increases in agricultural output, particularly in rice, pulses, oilseeds and many cash crops. A major area of weakness at present relates to agro- meteorology, and relating a package of seeds, inputs and practices that will ensure that the best yields are obtained under given weather situations. Efficiency in the use of water and fertilisers is another area of major research concern.
17.13 Nuclear energy: In the field of nuclear energy, capabilities have now been established covering the entire nuclear cycle: exploration, mining, extraction, purification and conversion of nuclear materials; production of fuel elements for reactors; the design and construction of power reactors and their control systems, for units of 235-MWe capacity; production of heavy water; health and safety instrumentation; reprocessing of spent fuel; and waste management. In this area of high technology, it is the creation and substantial growth of the research base which has led to this degree of self-reliance. A major achievement in the Sixth Plan period was the commissioning of the Madras Atomic Power Plant, which was wholly designed, fabricated and set up indigenously, using locally produced fuel, heavy water, instrumentation and control systems, as also all items of heavy engineering. A 100-MW heavy water reactor, DHRUVA, which is a major facility for engineering research in support of the nuclear power programme and for production of isotopes, has been built at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). There has been a significant fall-out from the associated technological developments related to the nuclear programme. These are in the fields of: high vacuum, very low temperature, electronics and control systems, precision engineering, heavy engineering (with production of items such as calandria, fuelling machines, end-shields etc.), welding of all types, use of radio isotopes in agriculture and health, and so on. In the area of nuclear and related sciences, fundamental research of a high order has been carried out.
17.14 Space science and technology: Another area of high technology where there has been continuing and significant progress is that relating to the space programme. This activity was taken up because of the clear realisation that space-based systems have an inherent edge over conventional, purely ground-based systems for a country of India's sub-continental dimensions. In particular, an optimal mix of ground and space capabilities has been sought to be built up.
17.15 India's first indigenously designed and fabricated experimental communication spacecraft, APPLE, was launched in June, 1981 on the European Ariane launcher, and it successfully completed its mission in October, 1983. Bhaskara-II, a remote sensing satellite launched in November, 1981 by a USSR launcher successfully completed its 2-year earth observation mission. As against five flights projected for Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV)-3/Rohini Satellite system during the Sixth Plan period, the programme was reviewed and closed after the successful completion of only two additional flights, viz., SLV-3-D-1 and SLV-3-D-2, since all the technological objectives were realised by then. The SLV-3-D-2 launched in April, 1983 from Sriharikota put a 42-kg. indigenous ROHINI satellite, carrying a smart-sensor payload, into the desired near-earth orbit.
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17.6 Three major projects, the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS), Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) were approved in June, 1982. ASLV is a follow- up of the SLV development programme, whose main objective is to upgrade SLV performance to be able to carry heavier payloads, e.g., launch satellite of approximately 150 kilogram mass in near-earth orbit. Some of the major components of the PSLV mission would get proven with this vehicle; these include strap-on technology, on-board computer and the execution of yaw manoeuvres after launch. ASLV is scheduled for a first launch in 1986. The PSLV is designed to place satellites in the 1000 kilogramme class in a sun-synchronous polar orbit.
17.17 The Indian National Satellite (INSAT)-IB is a multipurpose satellite with activities covering telecommunications, radio and TV broadcasting, and meteorology (using a very high resolution radiometer). The basic concepts of this unique and complex satellite system were worked out by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO); the satellite was built in the USA and launched by the United States on a space shuttle mission on 30th August, 1983. Another significant event related to space activities was the successful trip on the SOYUZSALYUT Mission of an Indian Cosmonaut, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who performed several experiments in space.
17.18 Now that the space programme is increasingly an operational one, there are arising new developments which relate to the fullest utilisation of these operational capabilities. The overall management and coordination of the INSAT system rests with the INSAT Coordination Committee. Of the Departments represented in this Committee, the Department of Space has the responsibility for establishment and operation of the space segment, the Department of Tele-communications for the telecommunications ground segment, the Indian Meteorological Departments for the meteorological ground segment and applications, and AIR and Doordarshan for radio and TV utilisation. One is, therefore, seeing not only a technical innovation in the practical applications, of space hardware specific to India for cost-effective enhancement of national services, but also a major organisational innovation which cuts across the traditional boundaries of government departments and agencies. In a similar sense when the 800 kilogramme Indian Remote Sensing Satellite becomes operational in 1986 after a launch from the USSR, it will be a major element in a space-based remote-sensing system for national natural resources survey and management in agriculture, forestry, geology, hydrology and meteorology. To prepare for this, a National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS) is under evolution.
17.19 In addition to the above, various new and innovative approaches are being worked out concerning software relating to the field of telecommunications and to the radio and TV broadcasting segment, on an interdepartmental and multidisciplinary basis.
17.20 Ocean development: There is increasing recognition of the importance of the oceans: from the viewpoint of national security; for ensuring ecological equilibrium; and as an important source of food and many mineral, chemical and biological resources. A coordinated national programme initiated under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) on oceanographic research and development became the nucleus for the setting up of the Department of Ocean Development (DOD) during the Sixth Plan. An important development in this area was the signing of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas, which provided a framework for a new international order for the oceans. The Ocean Policy Statement of 1983 outlines the policies of Government with regard to developing, harnessing and preserving ocean resources and stresses the importance of scientific programme for developing capabilities in this area,
17.21 Four scientific expeditions to Antarctica were organised in 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984, and a permanent research station has been established there at Dakshin Gangotri. Scientists from the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) brought up polymetallic nodules on a cruise in early 1981. DOD has further pursued this area and has completed the first phase of a project for identification of a mining site, through extensive regional surveys covering an area of 3.8 million square kilometres and over ten thousand locations. The oceanographic research vessel (ORV), "Sagar Kanya" and the fisheries and oceanographic research vessel (FORV) "Sagar Sampada" are both operational.
17.22 Science and Technology: The programmes of the DST for supporting research of a multidisciplinary nature, and those in emerging frontline areas of science, made significant progress during the Sixth Plan. The funding provided has made a major impact on University research. A special programme of Intensification of Research in High Priority Areas (IRHPA) has played an important role in initiating and supporting major national activities in the areas of immunology, visceral mechanisms, plasma physics, setting up of a major facility for high frequency FTNMR, Indian Middle Atmosphere Programme (IMAP), etc. A National Institute of Immunology was set up under this scheme. Three Regional Sophisticated Instrumentation Centres (RSICs) were set up at Nagpur, Chandigarh and Shillong for providing expensive and sophisticated research equipment/instruments to the scientific community as centralised facilities. Three major
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science and society related schemes, viz., S&T for women, technology development for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and promotion of scientific interest in youth have been effectively pursued so that the benefit of S&T percolate more effectively to various target sections of the community. At the initiative of the DST, S&T councils have been set up in 18 States and 4 Union Territories. In addition, 13 States have set up separate Departments for Science and Technology. A sustained effort has been made to accelerate the pace of a large number of science and technology programmes which are relevant from the viewpoint of basic research, generation of knowledge and expertise, and which have societal application. The Department has been providing secretarial support to the Science Advisory Committee to the Cabinet (SACC) for processing its recommendations.
17.23 In areas such as earth and atmospheric sciences, calibration facilities, instruments development, composites and fibres, information systems, a good beginning has been made. These efforts, through consolidation and growth in the Seventh Plan, will lead to fruitful results.
17.24 Research and development activities in the field of biotechnology are of enormous significance and relevance to the future development of agriculture, medicine. and industry. To ensure the growth of this area on a high priority basis in the country, under the auspices of NBTB, a long term plan of action in the areas of agriculture, energy, environment and health has been prepared. Mechanisms have been evolved to ensure the supply of radio-labelled chemicals, and for indigenous production (and, where needed, bulk import) of restricted enzymes, etc. Publications on the status of biotechnology in India, and recombinant DNA research, safety regulations for India, etc., have been brought out. Work has been initiated on programmes relating to manpower development and creation of infrastructural facilities (animal houses, culture lines, etc.).
17.25 Scientific and industrial research: In the area of scientific and industrial research, carried out under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), a wide spectrum of problems have been tackled. These include: R&D work related to exploration of oil in the off-shore areas; and detailed studies on the alignment of pipelines, location of terminal points of pipelines onshore, discharge of effluents from the terminal pumping stations and from possible spills along the pipelines. Based on processes developed at National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune, Indian Petro-Chemicals Corporation Ltd., (IPCL) have put up a 10,000 tonne/annum plant at Vadodra for production of acrylates. A solvent extraction process for the production of benzene has been released to Bharat Petroleum Corporation for processing 1,70,000 tonnes of feed per annum; the process is also under consideration of the Cochin Refinery and the Salimpur Aromatics Complex. A totally indigenous 900TPD plant for low-temperature carbonisation of coal, based on technology developed at Regional Research Laboratory, (RRL), Hyderabad, has gone into production in Andhra Pradesh. The Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CEERI), Pilani, has developed 500KW and 1-MW fixed-frequency S-band Magnetrons and the design and development of 6- GHz, 20-W travelling wave tubes has also been completed. The RRL, Jorhat, has developed a flow improver, SWAT-106, for the transportation of Bombay High crude. The average power saving by using titanium substrate insoluble anodes in place of graphite anodes in the chloro-alkali industry is about 700 KWH per tonne of caustic soda; it is estimated that over 200 million KWH of power could be saved annually as a result of the use of anodes of the design developed by the Central Electro-Chemical Research Institute. The National Aeronautical Laboratory (NAL) has generated critical aerodynamic data for the Light Combat Aircraft programme. Under a major CSIR-Steel Authority of India collaboration programme, important R&D work is being carried out on coal beneficiation, development of steel for cryogenic application, combustions systems using oil-water emulsion etc.