Prashnavachak News
In a landmark move to empower India’s research and innovation ecosystem, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced sweeping policy reforms aimed at enhancing the Ease of Innovation, Ease of Research, and Ease of Science. Speaking at the National Media Centre, he credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary support for enabling decisions that will significantly reduce bureaucratic hurdles for scientists, scholars, and institutions nationwide. Key reforms include allowing research institutions and universities to bypass the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for procuring specialized equipment, with Directors and Vice Chancellors now granted full autonomy to make direct purchases. Financial ceilings under General Financial Rules have also been raised dramatically—global tenders can now be approved by institutional heads up to ₹200 crore. This trust-based model aims to eliminate red tape and accelerate scientific progress. The reforms stem from broad consultations with 13 IITs and national research bodies, and align closely with the National Education Policy 2020. They are expected to boost India’s position as a global innovation hub by easing long-standing procurement delays, encouraging interdisciplinary flexibility, and enabling faster, more efficient research execution. Dr. Singh emphasized that while autonomy has increased, accountability remains key, reinforcing the government’s belief in India’s scientific leadership.
