Policy Update
R Sonali Devi
India’s drive for scientific and innovative leadership has taken on new significance in an era of technological advancement and global competition. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) which is part of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, introduced the Patent Acquisition and Collaborative Research and Technology Development (PACE) scheme back in 2012.
By narrowing the gap between advanced research and industry execution, this innovative program substantially assists in the development of India’s innovation sector. PACE is a pioneering policy instrument that fosters strategic patent acquisition, creative collaboration, and the development of early-stage research into marketable technology. Indian science has grown progressively application-oriented, market-relevant, and globally competitive because of PACE, which was established to boost the nation’s industrial research and development capability as well as bridge the gap between researchers and market.
Objectives of PACE scheme
Due to the program’s strategic significance, PACE , which was originally launched during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012–2017), eventually evolved. The following were its primary objectives:
- With the objective to accelerate the implementation, adaptation, and commercialisation of the latest technologies in India, the PACE program assists Indian businesses with acquiring patented ideas, regardless of whether they have been developed locally or elsewhere.
- Promoting collaborative research initiatives between Indian industry and from the public funded academic or research institutes is the key objective of collaborative research and development support. Financing for early-stage research and development, prototype creation, field testing, and technology transfer assistance are all provided by this support.
- Build demonstration of concept and pilot-stage models that have been prepared for marketing and corporate scaling.
- Promote India’s reputation in high-tech industries by encouraging local development of technological advances of national significance.
Key Features of the PACE Scheme
1. Supporting Technology Transfer and Strategic Patent Acquisition:
The program provides the opportunity for Indian businesses to obtain strategic patents along with associated technical expertise from both local and foreign sources. It streamlines the technology acquisition, licensing, and customisation of acquired patents to comply with the demands of local markets. It further simplifies the required legal due diligence, review, and evaluation processes that are crucial to properly support these kinds of transactions.
2. PACE Fosters Collaborative Research and Development(R&D) for Technology Development and Marketing in the following fields:
- Public Funded Research Institutions (PFRIs)
- Teaching establishments
- Colleges and universities
- Prioritises innovative technology development and demonstration (Technological Readiness Level 3–6).
- Incorporates the use of both local and globally acquired technologies.
3. Offering Strategic Financial Support to Promote Industry-Led Innovation.
4. Grant-in-aid may cover as much as 100% of the institutional portion. The grant-in-aid must not be higher than the loan value itself.
5.Subject-matter specialists peer-review the proposed research. Primarily reviewed by the DSIR convened Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). Considering the subject area of the project, TAC could include or co-opt additional expertise.
Merits and Strategic importance
- PACE provides systematic administrative and financial assistance that helps inventions advance from proof-of-concept to pilot scale, a process also known as the “valley of death” in research.
- The initiative established a culture of collaboration and shared ownership, significantly improving the correlation between academic achievement and industrial application.
- PACE aids India to eliminate its reliance on foreign technologies, especially in critical fields like precise instruments, materials science, and defence electronics, by securing patents and doing local research and development.
- PACE promotes several programs that demonstrate inclusive effect by resolving challenges at the local level, such as sustainable energy, water monitoring, low-cost diagnostics, and agricultural mechanisation.
- PACE proposes a framework for risk-sharing that allows businesses to participate in innovative projects that may not bring in profits immediately but offer substantial long-term guarantee.
Successful Illustrations
Despite providing an institutional base, the program has an apparent impact across sectors. There are two remarkable examples:
- IISc and its industry partners are currently working on designing an Aerodynamic lens system to develop a nanoparticle beam system for aerosol diagnostics. DRDO-aligned deployment, developing prototypes, and multi-party collaboration has been rendered achievable by PACE.
- Flow monitoring system based on ultrasonic tomography developed jointly by Encardio-Rite and IIT Hyderabad. By assisting the initial stages of research and development, collecting information, electronics integration, and field testing, PACE offered an efficient rural water management solution.
PACE’s ability to help develop sector-relevant, indigenous technologies which maintain a balance among field deployment and research quality is proven by these examples.
Demerits
Despite its achievements, the PACE program faces several structural and operational limitations:
- PACE terminates at the pilot stage; currently it provides no integrated post-PACE guidance on scaling, regulatory authorisations, venture investment, or IP marketing.
- PACE functions in compartments unless paired by additional programs like BIRAC, TDB, or Startup India; joint initiatives, particularly those involving several organisations, face complications in permits, fund release, and compliance procedures; and inter-program benefits remain restricted.
- Several MSMEs, startups, and even educational institutions are unaware of the scheme’s existence and tend to be unclear of how to apply, and this results in insufficient utilisation in emerging areas and sectors.
Way Forward
1.PACE should explicitly integrate its project goals and funding to major national initiatives.
The direct benefit of collaborative R&D and patent acquisitions to India’s financial and technical sovereignty can be assured by this alignment.
2.Establishment of Units promoting Regional Innovation.
Localising administration and accelerating execution are the primary objectives.
Setting up PACE facilitation centres at the state level or partnering with existing innovation hubs and incubators (such State Startup Missions or Atal Incubation Centres) .
These facilities can additionally function as centres for coordination and mentoring before applicants file proposals.
3. Increased Financial Distribution
Enhance funding for deep-tech, high-investment businesses.
Innovative technologies like robots, microelectronics, clean technology, or biotechnology are unlikely to be able to be sponsored at present levels of funding.
This would render it feasible for the program to bring in more funds and high-profile R&D projects, incentivising private businesses to take calculated risks with technology.
4. Strategic collaborations for Downstream Assistance
Set up a pipeline for viable innovation over a long-term basis. PACE must unambiguously collaborate with the present ecosystems of both private and public investment. Such collaborations could assist proposals smoothly transition from the lab to the market through offering follow-up funding, market access, and promotional support.
Conclusion
The PACE program has evolved into an integral part of India’s innovation and industrial R&D policy. Established around the idea that collaboration, rather than rivalry, between industry and academia is crucial to long-term technological advancement, PACE has efficiently closed the prevalent disconnect between public research and commercial application. By encouraging industry-academia cooperation, aiding in the acquisition of significant patents, and supporting preliminary research and development, the initiative has laid the foundation for an active and independent innovation environment in India.
PACE’s sustainability depends on how effectively it can be aligned with India’s broader goals regarding inclusive innovation, economic competitiveness, and technological sovereignty. With the ideal institutional backing and policy progress, PACE has the potential to keep accelerating the development of India into a globally acclaimed, innovation-led economy.
References
- Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR). (n.d.). Patent Acquisition and Collaborative Research and Technology Development (PACE). Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. https://www.dsir.gov.in/patent-acquisition-and-collaborative-research-and-technology-development-pace
- India Science, Technology & Innovation Portal. (n.d.). Patent Acquisition and Collaborative Research and Technology Development (PACE). https://www.indiascienceandtechnology.gov.in/programme-schemes/academia-industry-partnerships/patent-acquisition-and-collaborative-research-technology-development-pac
- Ministry of Science and Technology. (n.d.). Patent Acquisition and Collaborative Research and Technology Development(PACE). https://s3d860edd1dd83b36f02ce52bde626c653.s3waas.gov.in/patent-acquisition-and-collaborative-research-and-technology-development-pace/
- Press Information Bureau (PIB). (2024, November 21). Signing of Project Agreements under Patent Acquisition and Collaborative Research and Technology Development (PACE) Programme. Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2075399
About the Contributor: R Sonali Devi is a research intern at IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi. She is a second year post graduate pursuing MA International Relations at Loyola College, Chennai.
Acknowledgment: The author thanks Aasthaba Jadeja, internship coordinator, for her guidance and support.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
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