Budget 2025-26 R&D Boost: ₹20,000 Crore for SMRs
Why in the news
Budget 2025-26 pushed research funding, especially for nuclear energy and private sector R&D.
Key facts
- ₹20,000 crore to build five small modular reactors (SMRs) by 2033.
- DST allocation: ₹28,000 crore; a Research, Development and Innovation fund is created under DST.
- Stress on private participation, as government has so far funded most R&D.
Gaps in R&D
- Private share in R&D only 36%; spending at 0.64% of GDP (2020), lowest since 1995.
- Few patents in fuel, IT, pharma, metallurgy and biotech.
- Shortage of chipsets, semiconductor fabs, skilled people and innovation infrastructure.
Concerns
- Unclear whether the ecosystem can absorb such large sums.
- Government must spell out how firms can access support.
- Education, technology and funding bottlenecks must be fixed.
Exam angle
- SMR target: five by 2033.
- Nodal body: Department of Science and Technology.