OPINION CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 106, NO. 8, 25 APRIL 2014 1058 Status of technology transfer in India – the much needed Magic Remedy Sanhita Rath, Ajaz Nathani, Daxesh Patel, Preeti Kulkarni and Vikram Gota Various strategies and models have been developed to implement successful technology transfer in Indian universities, many of which are inspired from existing approaches in developed countries such as the United States. This article provides an insight on the prevailing strategy and ways to streamline technology transfer in the Indian academic scenario. Background Technology transfer in India has transi- tioned towards a large-scale, globally interactive market and is bound to have tremendous impact on the economy through risk management, research income sponsored by the industry and exclusive licenses 1 . The different modes of transmission of technology across various domains in- clude publications, conferences, consul- tancy services and workforce migration, and economic relationships between the academia and industry. Motivation for industrial investment and sponsoring, a research result that will make a differ- ence and business opportunity that will allow market success are essential pre- requisites for rapid acceptance and development of technology transfer. These prerequisites are often triggered by means of collaborations, patents and copyrights that help fill development pipelines for the industry while commer- cializing academic research 2,3 . Various strategies and models have been developed to implement successful technology transfer in research organiza- tions and institutes. Some of these have been inspired from existing approaches in developed countries such as the United States. The question is whether these are suitable for Indian universities or not. This note aims at providing an in- sight into the technology transfer strat- egy prevailing in Indian universities and research institutes. We have attempted to suggest ways to streamline technology transfer in the Indian academic scenario. Status of technology transfer in India India is known for a rich history of tech- nology transfer, both nationally as well as internationally, before and after inde- pendence. Inspired by the Morill Act and land grant system in the US (1862), India dedicated a specific set of land for agri- cultural education and training in the form of universities. The agricultural industry is amongst the major players in technology transfer in India along with the telecom, railroad, information tech- nology, healthcare, defence and space technology sectors 4 . At present, India spends 1% of its GDP on research, which is 3.7% of global research and development expen- diture. In 2010–2011, 88 patent applica- tions were filed by academic institutions in India and abroad, of which 18 Indian patents were granted, 33 intellectual properties were commercialized and license money of Rs 65.32 lakhs was generated 5 . In 2008, the Indian legislation passed an act for encouraging technology trans- fer in the country. This was based on the Bayh–Dole model implemented in the US in 1980. While the Indian version of the Bayh–Dole Act mimics its US coun- terpart to a large extent, there is scope for scrutiny and improvization 6,7 . If the focus is on increasing the number of pat- ents, the numbers are adequate in com- parison to the US patents pre- and post- implementation of the Bayh–Dole Act 6 . According to the world intellectual prop- erty (IP) indicators report, the number of patent applications has increased from 11,000 in 2001 to 42,291 in 2011. In 2012, the Indian Patent Office (IPO) re- ceived 50,000 applications and granted 4741 patents 5 . However, as commented by Mansfield, and rightly so, increase in the number of patents does not essen- tially account for improved technology transfer 8 . Mansfield also reinforced the law of diffusion in the context of tech- nology transfer and suggested that inno- vation would pick up pace provided it thrives in an industry which is less dense and optimally competitive. Limitations of existing technology transfer scenario in India While the Indian Government has inves- ted special thought and efforts for im- proved commercialization of technology, it has failed to achieve the required mo- mentum for sustainable and inclusive growth. The Indian R&D system is defi- cient in the following. 1. Minimal private sector involvement in R&D support programmes. 2. Lack of policy and decision-making ability of public institutions. 3. Rigid bureaucratic resource allocation procedures. 4. Con- servative and safe approach that discour- ages high risk ventures. 5. Barely existing cooperative or professional edu- cation in the academic institutions or universities. 6. Lack of monitoring, accountability and utilization of fiscal incentives by the industry and private sector. 7. Lack of vision: for instance, research agenda in organizations with primary focus on fundamental or basic research often gets diluted due to unrea- sonable expectations of commercializa- tion and vice versa. Approaches to technology transfer in US and Germany In countries such as the US, market forces, federal commitment, IP and intel- lectual property policy (IPP) laws en- sured licensing of university inventions to existing and new businesses for devel- opment and commercialization. Small businesses were given preference in licensing over others 2 . Universities in the US have understood the importance of technology transfer and have adopted various approaches for its successful im- plementation. As illustrated by Boh et al. 9 , these approaches may be classified into: (1) Encoop model, (2) coordinated model and (3) Laissez-faire model for