The Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) in India has been on the rise and has more than doubled from Rs 60,196.75 crore in 2010–11 to Rs 1,27,380.96 crore in 2020–21, the education ministry said.

Dr Subhas Sarkar, the junior education minister, told the Lok Sabha that India ranks third in terms of the number of PhDs awarded in science and engineering (S&E). According to the Elsevier Report, the total number of publications has also increased from 6,61,912 in (2012-2016) to 10,12,624 in (2017-2021).

While replying to the question in Parliament, the minister highlighted that the Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) receive funds under various research schemes from various central ministries such as the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Science and Technology, through their various departments such as department of science and technology (DST), Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR) and the Department of Bio-Technology (DBT).

They also receive research funding from institutions, alumni, and philanthropic donations. The Ministry offers grants under research schemes like Uchchatar Avishkar Yojana (UAY), Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT), Scheme for Promotion of Research and Academic Collaboration (SPARC) and Scheme for Scientific Innovation and Advanced Research (STARS). Promote the research ecosystem of higher education institutions.