AbstractNehru envisaged a prominent role for science and technology in India, and remained heavily committed to it.A five-year plan was drawn up in 1974 following intensive work by innumerable committees, subcommittees and working groups. Despite the many political upheavals, there has been continued support for S and T because it is insulated from mainstream politics.However the top level decisions are made by a small section of the scientific community. Challenges to this system occasionally arise when a disaster such as Bhopal occurs.