Introduction

The Government of India will launch STIP 2020, a holistic and pragmatic policy dedicated to Science, technology and most importantly innovation. The policy aims to reorient Science Technology & Innovation (STI) in terms of priorities, sectoral focus and strategies.

The STIP 2020 policy is initiated jointly by the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor (Office of PSA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST). A Secretariat with in-house policy knowledge and data support unit, has been set up at Department of science and Technology to coordinate the entire process.

The Process

An engaging and inclusive model with four interconnected tracks has been envisioned to formulate the STIP 2020. The consultation processes on different tracks have already started and are running simultaneously. Key and novel features of the STIP 2020 are Bottom-up, Decentralised, Experts-Driven, Evidence-informed and Inclusive to provide holistic outline for a scientific future.

The details on various tracks and the entire process can be accessed here

Track – 1
Extended public and expert consultation
Aims to create a repository of public voices that will act as a guiding force for the drafting process
Track – 2
Thematic Groups
Consultations comprises 21 expert-driven thematic collectives to feed evidence based recommendations into the policy drafting process.
Track – 3
Ministerial and state consultation
Bring together Ministries and States in extensive engagement through nominated nodal officers.
Track – 4
Apex Level Multi-Stakeholder Engagement
Binding force that draws upon apex level multi-stakeholder engagement at the national and global levels. Inputs from these wide-ranging deliberations will finally lead to STIP 2020.

How to Contribute

There are multiple ways to engage with the policymaking process. With the dual purpose of outreach and input gathering, six unique national-level initiatives have been launched. Through live virtual conversations with dynamic experts, thematic webinars, focused survey instruments, digital and print media campaigns along with community radio broadcasts, STIP 2020 aims to generate a wide-ranging national engagement. To coordinate the end-to-end policy process, STIP 2020 Secretariat is set up at DST (Technology Bhavan) which will have joint and seamless functioning between Office of PSA and DST. Sincere efforts have been made by the STIP 2020 Secretariat and Science Policy Forum to ensure a comprehensive representation of the nation's plurality. For the design and implementation support in the public consultation process, Science Policy Forum has partnered with Gubbi Labs and Rockstar Social.