News Brief
India On Track To Surpass US In Scientific Publications By 2029: Science Minister
Union Science Minister Jitendra Singh
India is set to surpass the United States in scientific publications by 2029, according to Union Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh.
Speaking at a public function on Friday (28 February 29) to commemorate National Science Day, he highlighted the country's rapid progress in research output.
“Future projections say that we will overcome the United States in the number of (scientific) publications in the next four years, by 2029. These are facts that are not known very widely but these are extremely important to us,” said Singh, The Hindu reported.
While he did not specify a data source, a 2023 report from the US-based National Science Foundation ranked China as the global leader in scientific output with 898,949 publications. The United States followed with 457,335, while India ranked third with 207,390 publications.
Singh further cited a 31 December 2024 report on the world's top 2 per cent of scientists, which included 5,351 Indian scientists.
“This is something that would have been unbelievable a few years ago and cynics will not believe, even today. But the figures speak for themselves,” he remarked.
India, with 5,351 scientists, holds the 10th position. The United States leads the ranking with 71,392 scientists, followed by China with 27,165.
Singh pointed out that budgetary allocations for key science and technology departments have grown substantially over the years.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) saw its budget rise from Rs 2,777 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 28,509 crore in 2024-25, reflecting a 926 per cent surge.
Similarly, the Department of Science and Industrial Research (DSIR) witnessed an increase from Rs 2,013 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 6,658 crore in 2024-25, marking a 230 per cent rise.
Meanwhile, the Department of Space (DOS) recorded a 139 per cent budgetary expansion, growing from Rs 5,615 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 13,416 crore in 2024-25.
