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WHY NO INDIAN HAS WON NOBEL PRIZE IN SCIENCE IN LAST 94 YEARS?

Last Updated on 19th October, 2024
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Context:

No Indian working in India has won a Nobel Prize in the Sciences since C. V. Raman in 1930.

Details

C.V. Raman won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930, and since then, no Indian has received a Science Nobel while working in India. Although three Indian-origin scientists—Hargovind Khorana, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, and Venkatraman Ramakrishnan—have won Nobel Prizes in Science by working abroad.

C. V. Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery of the Raman Effect, which is the scattering of light that occurs when light passes through a transparent material.

Har Gobind Khorana (1968) won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on the genetic code and its role in protein synthesis. However, he was working in the United States at the time.

Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (1983) received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his theoretical studies on the physical processes important to the structure and evolution of stars. He was also based in the United States.

Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (2009) was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his studies on the structure and function of the ribosome. He was working in the United Kingdom. 

Several Indian scientists have been nominated for the Nobel Prize. Notable nominees include:

  • Meghnad Saha, Homi Bhabha, and Satyendra Nath Bose for Physics.
  • G.N. Ramachandran and T. Seshadri for Chemistry.
  • Upendranath Brahmachari for Medicine.

Challenges in winning a Nobel Prize in the Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Medicine)

The quality of science education at various levels needs improvement. The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2020 shows that less than half of students in grade 8 can solve basic arithmetic problems. This indicates a need for stronger foundational education in science and mathematics.

According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics report, India spends about 0.7% of its GDP on R&D, compared to over 2% in countries like the United States and China. This limited funding restricts the scope and scale of scientific research.

India prioritizes applied research over basic research. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) report indicates that only about 30% of research funding goes to basic research. Applied research is essential for immediate technological advancements, basic research is essential for groundbreaking discoveries.

The infrastructure for scientific research in India is often inadequate. Many universities and research institutions lack state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment. Several reports point out that only a few institutions have the necessary infrastructure to conduct high-quality research.

A significant number of Indian scientists and researchers migrate to countries with better research facilities and opportunities. According to a study by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), about 40% of Indian scientists work abroad, primarily in the United States and Europe. This brain drain results in a loss of potential Nobel laureates.

Way Forward

Government must increase Research and Development (R&D) expenditure to a minimum of 2% of GDP, this can be done through increasing budget allocations and by creating dedicated funds for scientific research. Need to provide tax incentives and subsidies to encourage private companies to invest in R&D, public-private partnerships can also be promoted.

Implement a streamlined and transparent process for grant applications and approvals. Use digital platforms to reduce paperwork and expedite processes. Establish dedicated administrative support for researchers to handle non-research tasks, allowing scientists to focus on their work.

Improve research facilities and provide competitive salaries to retain talent. Establish world-class research institutions and centers of excellence. Offer attractive packages and research grants to Indian scientists abroad to encourage them to return and contribute to the country’s scientific progress.

Invest in modernizing research infrastructure across universities and research institutions to ensure access to advanced technologies.   

Modify curricula to encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and hands-on learning in science and mathematics. Provide training for teachers to improve their subject knowledge and teaching methods.

Encourage collaborations with leading global research institutions and scientists. Actively participate in global scientific initiatives and conferences to gain exposure to new research and methodologies.

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Source: 

Indian Express

The Wire

The Times of India

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.What specific changes in the Indian education system could better prepare students for future scientific research and innovation? (150 Words)

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