Deep-Tech, AI, Innovation to shape India’s future: Dr. Mashelkar
UPSC CSE Context Why in News: Dr. Mashelkar highlighted deep tech, AI, and inclusive innovation as pillars for India's future at FICCI Legends Series. Syllabus Connection: Science and Technology, Innovation, Government Policies, Inclusive Growth Exam Relevance: Relevant for questions on innovation ecosystem, procurement policy, and technology led inclusive development. Core Issue India must shift from tech consumer to creator via affordable innovation. Key Development: Dr. Mashelkar criticized lowest bidder procurement policy as barrier to indigenous innovation. Stakeholders: Dr. Raghunath A. Mashelkar Government of India Indian industry Static Knowledge High Value Background: CSIR is India's largest R&D organization, pivotal in industrial innovation. Gandhian philosophy 'More from Less for More' emphasizes resource efficiency and mass benefit. Exam Linkage: Useful for questions on innovation policy, Make in India, and inclusive growth. Concepts in Context: Deep tech: innovations based
## UPSC CSE Context **Why in News:** Dr. Mashelkar highlighted deep-tech, AI, and inclusive innovation as pillars for India's future at FICCI Legends Series. **Syllabus Connection:** Science and Technology, Innovation, Government Policies, Inclusive Growth **Exam Relevance:** Relevant for questions on innovation ecosystem, procurement policy, and technology-led inclusive development. ## Core Issue India must shift from tech consumer to creator via affordable innovation. **Key Development:** Dr. Mashelkar criticized lowest-bidder procurement policy as barrier to indigenous innovation. **Stakeholders:** - Dr. Raghunath A. Mashelkar - Government of India - Indian industry ## Static Knowledge **High-Value Background:** - CSIR is India's largest R&D organization, pivotal in industrial innovation. - Gandhian philosophy 'More from Less for More' emphasizes resource efficiency and mass benefit. **Exam Linkage:** - Useful for questions on innovation policy, Make in India, and inclusive growth. **Concepts in Context:** - Deep-tech: innovations based on substantial scientific advances, often requiring long R&D. - Public-private collaboration: joint efforts between government and private sector to drive innovation. **Institutions and Mechanisms:** - FICCI: industry association advocating for policy reforms. - Government procurement policy: currently favors lowest bidder, hindering innovation. ## Dynamic Analysis ### Economy - Lowest-bidder procurement stifles R&D investment by prioritizing cost over quality. - Risk-sharing partnerships can incentivize private sector to develop cutting-edge technologies. - Affordable innovation can create new markets and drive inclusive growth. ### Science and Technology - AI as co-pilot ensures human oversight, addressing ethical concerns in automation. - Deep-tech startups need supportive ecosystem including funding and regulatory sandboxes. ### Governance - Procurement reform is needed to prioritize innovation and long-term value. - Government should act as risk-sharing partner, not just purchaser. - Policies should encourage 'Next Practices' rather than copying global best practices. ## Prelims Takeaways - CSIR: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India's largest R&D organization. - FICCI: Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, key industry body. ## Mains Value Addition **Arguments:** - Innovation-led growth requires shift from cost-based to value-based procurement. - Affordable innovation can address societal challenges at scale, aligning with SDGs. - Public-private collaboration is essential for deep-tech development. - AI must augment human decision-making, not replace it, to maintain ethical standards. **Examples:** - AI-powered TB detection via smartphones, affordable breast cancer screening using thermal imaging. **Counterpoints:** - Risk-sharing may lead to fiscal burden if projects fail. - Lowest-bidder policy ensures fiscal discipline and prevents corruption. - India's IP regime may not adequately protect deep-tech innovations. ## Way Forward - Revise procurement policy to include innovation criteria and life-cycle cost analysis. - Establish dedicated funds for deep-tech startups with government as risk partner. - Promote industry-academia collaboration for R&D in AI and deep-tech. - Create regulatory sandboxes to test innovative technologies safely. - Foster culture of 'Next Practices' through innovation challenges and awards.
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