DIPP formulates task force on innovation

Aiming to strengthen innovation eco-system in the country, and thereby improving India's ranking in GII (Global Innovation Index), the department of industrial policy & promotion (DIPP) has decided to set up a task force on innovation.

India's ranking in GII-2016 jumped 15 places to 66th position as innovation is widely recognized as a central driver of economic growth and development.

In Global Innovation Index (GII) 2016 India has retained the top rank in Information and Communication Technology Service export for more than last three years. India is the top-ranked economy in Central and Southern Asia, and shows particular strengths in tertiary education and R&D, including global R&D intensive firms, the quality of its universities and scientific publications. India also over-performs in innovation relative to its GDP.

India ranks second on innovation quality amongst middle-income economies. As per the report, "India is a good example of how policy is improving the innovation environment". India moved up across all indicators within the Knowledge Absorption sub-pillar. It has also exhibited a solid performance in the GII model's newly incorporated research talent in business enterprise, where it ranks 31st.

Recognizing India's potential to reach great heights in innovation, the commerce & industry minister, Nirmala Sitharaman had directed the setting up of a task force which would take forward innovation in India.

The innovation team comprises of government officials and experts from private organisations - Naushad Forbes, co-chairman, Forbes Marshall Group and president, CII; Dr Anil Wali, MD, FITT, IIT Delhi; Gopichand Katragadda, CTO, Tata Sons; Kris Gopalakrishnan, executive vice chairman, Infosys; Dr Nikolai Dobberstein, partner, AT Kearney; Rajeev Srinivasan, adjunct faculty, Innovation, IIM-B; representative from the department of science and technology; and convenor of the task force Rajiv Aggarwal, joint secretary, DIPP.

The task force will assess India's position as an innovative country and suggest measures to enhance the innovation eco-system in India and thus improve India’s ranking in the GII.

DIPP and CIPAM invite ideas and suggestions also from the public. People can send suggestions on cipam-dipp@gov.in or on Twitter at @CIPAM_India.