STATE CONTROLLED FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH

Budgetary allocations reflected the priorities given to the specific fields of science and technology. Almost 90 percent Research and Development funds come from the Central Government, out of which 65-70 percent are directly granted to the Big Three Strategic Departments: Defence Research and Development (DRDO); Atomic Energy, and Space. Industrial and corporate contribution to our R & D is less than 15 percent. Since no independent agency or foundation was available to support fundamental research, bureaucrats commanded enormous power of patronage and punishment. With high unemployment rate among science and engineering graduates, the three strategic departments became the most attractive employment windows in the country. The government did not consider it necessary to consult independent academics.