Research and Development (R&D) Statistics At a Glance is a biennial publication published by the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology which highlights the key findings of the National S&T Survey. Overview of the Report The compilation of national R&D statistics is a critical exercise in strengthening evidence-based policymaking and strategic planning in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) sector. This publication provides a comprehensive overview of the country's R&D ecosystem, presenting key indicators on R&D expenditure, human resources, sectoral participation, and other important dimensions of the national research and innovation landscape through clear and insightful graphical representations. It offers a concise snapshot of India's research ecosystem and serves as a valuable reference for policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, students, and the broader scientific community. The National Science and Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS) Division, Department of Science and Technology (DST), serves as the nodal agency for the assessment, monitoring, and benchmarking of India's science, technology, and innovation (STI) ecosystem. To support evidence-based policymaking, NSTMIS has been conducting the National Science and Technology (S&T) Survey since 1973-74 on regular basis, creating a comprehensive repository of S&T data spanning over five decades. Research and Development Statistics at a Glance 2025–26 The National S&T Survey, 2024-25 was conducted between December 2024 to December 2025 as census of R&D-performing institutions identified through the periodically updated Directory of R&D Institutions. The Survey covered more than 8,000 R&D-performing institutions across the country, representing six major sectors: Central Sector, State Sector, Public Sector Industry, Private Sector Industry, Scientific and Industrial Research Organisations (SIROs), and Higher Education Institutions (HEls). The National S&T Survey, 2024-25 culminated in the publication of two flagship reports: Science and Technology Indicator Tables 2025-26 and Research and Development Statistics at a Glance 2025-26. Major highlights National R&D Expenditure and its Percentage of GDP India's Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) has shown sustained growth over the past decade. The country's GERD more than tripled, rising from Rs. 79,355.89 crore in 2013-14 to Rs. 244,767.81 crore in 2023-24. This reflects a strong and consistent increase in investments toward research, innovation, and technological development. India's GERD as a percentage of GDP reached to 0.84% in 2023-24. It increased from 0.64% in 2020-21 to an all-time high in 2023-24. This upward trajectory is expected to continue, with GERD projected to reach 0.87% in 2024-25 and 0.90% in 2025-26. During 2023-24, GERD is mainly driven by the Private Sector Industry (45.2%), Central Sector Institutions (30.9%), Higher Education Institutions (12.6%), and Public Sector Industry (4.1%). Institutions under the State Government contribute 4.0%, and SIROs contribute 3.2% in GERD. During year 2023-24, 76% of the R&D expenditure incurred in Central Sector came from 12 major scientific agencies. Amongst the 12 Central Government major scientific agencies, DRDO accounted for the maximum share of 32.7% of R&D expenditure, followed by DOS (15.0%), DAE (14.4%), ICAR (13.1%), CSIR (8.7%), DST (5.0%), ICMR (3.3%), MeitY (2.7%), DBT (2.1%), MOES (1.9%), MoEFCC (0.9%), and MNRE (0.1%). The government sector (comprising of central & state government R&D Institutions/Labs, public & joint sector industries, and public higher education institutions) still remains the primary contributor to India's GERD. During the year 2023-24, Public Sector R&D was led by Defence Industries, followed by Fuels, Industrial Equipment and Electricals & Electronics, while the Transportation Sector, Drugs and Pharma, Biotechnology, Information Technology, Electricals & Electronics, etc., dominated the Private Sector R&D. In the industrial R&D, Transportation occupied the first place with a share of 32.6% followed by Drugs & Pharmaceuticals (21.4%), Bio-technology (8.6%), Information Technology (7.9%), Electricals & Electronics (5.9%), etc. Most of the developed countries spent more than 2% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on R&D. India spent 0.84% of its GDP on R&D in 2023-24, while the same among some of the other developing BRICS countries was Brazil (1.19%), Russian Federation (0.94%), China (2.58%) and South Africa (0.61%). Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Researchers in R&D, 2023-24 As on April 1, 2024, there were 5.07 lakh full time equivalent (FTE) researchers in the country. Notably, women represent a significant pillar of this workforce, accounting for 1.47 lakh women FTE researchers. The percentage share of women FTE Researchers in total FTE Researchers increased to 29% in 2023-24 from 18.6% in 2020-21. The number of Full Time Researchers (FTE) per million population in India has increased to 354 in 2023-24 from 262 in 2020-21. The highest share of women researchers was in the higher education sector (36%) followed by State Agricultural universities (28%) and private sector industry (18%). Funding Support for Extramural R&D Projects Extramural R&D projects funding support was increased to Rs. 3356.36 crore in 2023-24 from Rs. 2002.70 crore in 2020-21. Its share in the national GERD was 1.4% during 2023-24. Extramural R&D funding support was dominated by DST (53%), followed by ICMR (23%) and DBT (11%), MeitY (4%) and DRDO (4%) respectively. The two departments under Ministry of Science and Technology i.e. DST & DBT jointly contributed to 64% of the total extramural R&D funding. Academic sector received 73% of the total extramural R&D support, followed by National Laboratories (20%), etc Women’s participation in extramural R&D projects has increased significantly to 28% in 2023-24 from 13% in 2000–01 reflecting the impact of various initiatives undertaken by the Government in the S&T sector. On average, in last two years, women participation share was 30 per cent. India's Research Publication Trend, 2000-2022 India's scientific publication output has shown a rising trend during the last decade. India has grown faster than many developed and developing countries such as USA, UK, Germany, France, Japan, Korea, Brazil, etc. India's research output in publication is increased by more than 2.5 time from 78, 135 in 2012 to 2,07,390 in 2022 as per NSF database. India's growth rate of scientific publication was 10.25% as against the world average of 4.74% during 2012-22 as per the NSF database. India's share in global research publication output has increased over the years from 3.7% in 2012 to 6.2% in 2022 as reflected in NSF database. During 2022, India was ranked at 3rd Position following China (1st) and USA (2 nd) in scientific publication output. Number of Patents Filed and Sealed in India Patent applications filed in India are dominated by disciplines like Computer Science & Electronics, Polymers, Chemistry, Physics, and Metallurgy. During 2024-25, a total of 1,10,375 patents were filed in India, out of which, 68,201 (62%) patents were filed by Indian Residents. Nearly 65% of foreign patents filed in India during 2024-25 were from five countries viz., USA (31.7%), Japan (12.8%), China (10.1%), Germany (7.2%) and France (3.2%). The share of Indian patents in total patents sealed at Indian Patent Office has increased to 32% in 2024-25 from 15% in 2013-14. As per WIPO report on World Intellectual Property Indicators, 2025, Indian Patent Office stands at 6th Position among top 10 patent filing offices in the world. In terms of Resident Patent filing also, India ranked at 6th Position. NSTMIS (2026). Research and Development Statistics At a Glance 2025-26. National Science and Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.