JUNE 15: In a significant policy reform aimed at strengthening India’s scientific ecosystem, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Sunday announced sweeping changes to improve the Ease of Innovation, Ease of Research, and Ease of Doing Science in the country. The announcement, made at a press conference held at the National Media Centre, is seen as a game-changing step toward empowering researchers, institutions, and scientists by reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
Highlighting the government’s proactive stance, Dr. Singh acknowledged the personal involvement and continuous support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that such bold decisions would not have been possible without his vision and commitment to science and technology.
One of the key reforms includes granting autonomy to Directors of scientific institutions and Vice Chancellors of universities to bypass the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) platform for the purchase of specialized research equipment, especially when such items are not readily available on GeM. This move is expected to reduce long-standing procurement delays that have hindered time-sensitive research projects.
“This reform removes unnecessary red tape and sends a clear message: the government trusts its scientists,” said Dr. Singh. “We are giving back control to our science leaders to innovate without delay.”
Additionally, the government has significantly raised financial ceilings under the General Financial Rules (GFRs) to offer greater flexibility in research-related spending. Key changes include:
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Direct purchase limit doubled from ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh
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Departmental committee purchases limit increased from ₹10 lakh to ₹25 lakh
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Limited tender and advertised tender ceiling raised from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore
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Institutional heads can now approve Global Tender Enquiries (GTEs) up to ₹200 crore, a power earlier reserved only for central authorities
These reforms follow extensive consultations led by the Principal Scientific Adviser’s office, involving 13 IITs and multiple national research institutions.
The press briefing was attended by top officials including Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology; Prof. A.K. Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor; and Sunil Kumar, Additional Secretary, Department of Science & Technology.
These landmark reforms are expected to catalyze research efficiency, promote innovation, and elevate India’s position in global scientific advancements.
