New Delhi, December 23 (NationPress) Despite India’s vast talent pool, the overall investment in science and technology remains surprisingly low, as highlighted by experts during an event in the national capital on Tuesday.

Experts discussed the necessity for scientific research priorities to adapt to the current global uncertainties, rapid technological developments, and intricate societal challenges.

Professor Jack Szostak, a Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine (2009), emphasized that enhancing investment in science and education is crucial for devising solutions to global issues.

“India possesses incredibly talented individuals, however, the total investment in science and technology is still very limited. There are exceptional examples of world-class research, but they constitute only a fraction of what India is capable of achieving,” Szostak stated at the event organized by Ashoka University.

Szostak, who serves as a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Chicago, pointed out that funding for science is often perceived as at odds with immediate social needs.

“In reality, the most effective way to tackle these urgent challenges is to increase investment in science and technology, leading to solutions for today’s pressing problems,” he asserted.

Professor K. VijayRaghavan, the former Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, reiterated the necessity to broaden both the scale and impact of scientific research in India.

“While India has made notable investments in certain missions and institutions, the key challenge lies in expanding access to research funding beyond a limited group of elite centers and establishing systems that enable emerging institutions to effectively utilize resources,” he elaborated.

Priyamvada Natarajan, a Professor of Astronomy and Physics at Yale University, underscored the significance of continuous support for fundamental research and increasing funding in science.

“This is a pivotal moment for India to enhance its investment in science and concentrate on a few high-impact interdisciplinary fields. Much of the most significant research today relies on collaboration, and by strategically investing in these emerging areas, India can not only follow but also set the next frontiers of science,” Natarajan remarked.

Professor Rajesh Gopakumar, Director of the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS–TIFR) and a prominent theoretical physicist, highlighted the importance of enhancing scientific research and fostering international collaboration.

“To advance, we need to broaden our horizons. This involves internationalizing Indian science, globalizing our benchmarks, and embracing science as an open-ended pursuit—where new opportunities arise through interdisciplinary and international dialogues,” he stated.