Science and technology (S&T)

Science and technology (S&T) 

Science: Investigations of the physical world, including us and the stuff we make

Technology: Making stuff, including stuff used by society, and in the production and dissemination of science

Society: The sum total of our interactions as humans, including the interactions that we engage in to figure things out and to make things

It should be clear that all of these are deeply interconnected. As this class proceeds, we will begin to develop a better picture of the fundamental nature of this interconnection.

Science and technology (S&T) is widely recognised as an important tool for fostering and strengthening the economic and social development of the country. India has made significant progress in various spheres of science and technology over the years and can now take pride in having a strong network of S&T institutions, trained manpower and an innovative knowledge base. Given the rapid pace of globalisation, fast-depleting material resources, increasing competition among nations and the growing need to protect intellectual property, the importance of strengthening the knowledge base is an important issue that needs to be recognised during the Tenth Plan. 

Recognising the global economic order, the focus of the Tenth Plan in the science and technology sector would be to: strengthen application-oriented research and development (R&D) for technology generation; promote human resource development, especially in terms of encouraging bright students to take up science as a career; encourage research in and application of S&T for forecasting, prevention and mitigation of natural hazards; integrate the developments in science and technology with all spheres of national activities; and harness S&T for improving livelihood, employment generation; environment protection and ecological security.

activity without limits. During the Tenth Plan, massive support would be provided to basic research, especially in universities, so that India can contribute significantly towards advancing that frontier

While building on the comparative advantage that India possess in the emerging areas of information technology (IT) and biotechnology, special attention would be given to agriculture and agro-based industries and infrastructure sectors like energy, transportation, communication and housing. S&T concerns will be integrated into various policies and programmes covering the economic, energy, environmental and other socio-economic sectors. 

This integration will be reflected in the identification of technological choices, the investments and the S&T interventions in the individual sectors. The approach will be to make S&T an essential component in the Plans and programmes of development sectors.