On India's plunge into Nanotechnology: What are good ways to catch-up?
Shyama V. Ramani, Nupur Chowdhury, Roger Coronini & Susan Reid
#2011-020
The present paper examines how a developing country like India is
competing in the nanotechnology race. Our study shows that both upstream
scientific and technological capabilities and downstream regulatory
capabilities are being strengthened. India has clearly made a dent in
terms of scientific publications (with the main focus being on
nanomaterials), in the 'technology market' its patenting performance
(with the principle focus on nanopolymers and nanocatalysts) though not
extraordinary is good compared to other emerging economies spending
similar amounts. In the 'final products' market some biotech and ICT
incumbents are moving towards nano but the bulk of the new firms are in
the field of nanomaterials. These achievements are particularly
noteworthy given the much smaller quantity of funds invested by the
Indian State as compared to the international leaders in nanotechnology.
However, even with these initial optimistic results, the paper casts
doubt on whether it is in the interests of economic growth or social
welfare that India's science and innovation, and intellectual property
policies are being increasingly modeled on the lines of developed
countries so as to attempt to compete or collaborate with them without a
better re-alignment and functioning of existing capabilities.
Key words: Catch-up, India, nanoscience, nanotechnology
JEL codes: O33, O38