Mumbai: India’s academic research output is growing rapidly, positioning the nation as the third-largest contributor to global research, according to a data by Springer Nature, a world renowned open research organisation.
Between 2021 and 2023, the country recorded an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8% in research, with Springer Nature witnessing an even higher growth rate of 15% under its ecosystem during the same period. This surge, which comes despite India spending only 0.7% of its GDP on research (compared to 2–4% in many developed countries), reflects India’s expanding influence on the global academic stage, but it does not come without challenges that demand urgent attention.
One of the pressing concerns highlighted during the Free Press Journal’s interaction with Springer Nature’s officials was the rise of fraudulent research, which threatens the credibility of the nation’s academic advancements. The proliferation of fake papers, often generated by paper mills, and the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to falsify data have become significant issues, according to the officials. Venkatesh Sarvasiddhi, Managing Director of Springer Nature India, told the FPJ that “fake research” is “as dangerous as fake news”.
“Fake science, much like fake news, undermines trust. Tackling this is crucial to preserving the integrity of academic research,” he said. There is an urgent need to combat this, said Sarvasiddhi. To counter fake research, Springer Nature has launched the RISE (Research Integrity in Science and Education) programme, which leverages AI tools to detect manipulated data and uphold ethical research practices globally, he informed.
Another focal point during the discussions was the participation of women in science and academia. While women currently make up 30% of the academic workforce in India, there is a need to further boost gender diversity in the field of research. “There is a need to empower women researchers, enhance their representation in leadership roles, and promote inclusivity in academic publishing,” said Savasiddi.
Harsh Jegadeesan, Chief Publishing Officer and Member of the Management Board of Springer Nature, also emphasised the importance of diversity in research. “A diverse research community drives better outcomes. We must ensure inclusion at all levels of the academic process,” he said.
Leading the surge in research are Applied sciences and medicine, with the latter emerging as the fastest-growing discipline, according to Springer Nature, which recorded a 36% increase in publications in the field of medicine between in the last three years. This momentum has been further supported by the rise of open-access publishing, which ensures greater visibility and accessibility for research, said the officials.
To address the issue of funding and bridge the gap between India and other developed nations, the organisation said it is collaborating with government bodies, academic institutions, and researchers to promote open-access publishing.
“India is on a great trajectory,” Sarvasiddhi said, adding, “By prioritising research integrity and inclusivity, we can build a bridge between Indian researchers and the global academic community, ensuring our research has the highest impact.”
