PARLIAMENT QUESTION: DECLINING PUBLIC RESEARCH FUNDING

• A Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha reply (05 Feb 2026) by the Ministry of Science & Technology rebutting the narrative of "declining" public R&D funding, citing rising GERD and budget allocations to scientific departments.
• Anchored in the DST "R&D Statistics 2022-23" report; GERD more than doubled from ₹60,197 cr (2010-11) to ₹1,27,381 cr (2020-21).
• Tests aspirant's grip on GERD as % of GDP (~0.64%), ANRF Act 2023, and the ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund — recurring Prelims/Mains hooks.