A leading advisor to the Prime Minister of India has openly expressed concerns over the limited focus on research and development (R&D) within the country’s private sector. According to the official, many major industry players tend to sidestep the conversation about investing in R&D, instead shifting attention to other less critical matters.

The advisor stressed that India, currently experiencing a demographic advantage, must seize this period by fostering a stronger culture of innovation and technology development. Achieving this requires the private sector to engage deeply in R&D activities, which remain underprioritized compared to global standards.

Despite several reforms and increased government initiatives toward accelerating innovation, the private industry’s contribution to R&D remains relatively low. Many companies still prefer quick financial returns over long-term investments in research, which slows India’s progress in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and quantum computing.

The advisor highlighted that while public sector research facilities consume substantial resources, they often do not yield breakthrough technologies. Conversely, the private sector, which could play a pivotal role in bringing research to market, has been hesitant to undertake necessary risks.

To overcome these challenges, the advisor urged for increased transparency, collaborative efforts between academia and industry, and strategic long-term planning in R&D investments. Elevating private sector participation in research could significantly boost India’s competitiveness and help realize its ambition to become a world leader in innovation-driven industries.