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Open Access: Making Science Research Accessible
Even as the government makes huge investments in science and technology, research publications produced by Indian institutions are not easily available or accessible, thus undermining the visibility and ranking of these institutions. The adoption of an open access policy can close the gap between research outcomes and their dissemination. Expanding access to publicly-funded scientific research through open access has the potential to spur innovation and lead to a growth in patentable discoveries and their commercial applications.
Information revolution has transformed our lives to such an extent that there is no field or sector left untouched by information technology applications. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) play an important role in the dissemination of knowledge, innovation and technology transmission. The Government of India has established a number of national bodies1 for research and development (R&D) activities, with a vision to better the lives of the people through technological advancement. In addition, there are about 3,960 publicly funded R&D institutions, which include universities, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and various other academic institutions in the country (Table 1). This article will critically examine the availability of research output in the context of public investment in R&D.
R&D in Publicly-Funded Institutions