AbstractScience has played a vital role in the emergence of modern India, It has helped in raising the quality of life and in imparting a modern outlook to its people. It was only after Independence, in 1947, that the Government of India consciously sought the development of S&T as a major force for ushering in social and economic change. As a chief patron, the Government of India provided various promotional and fiscal measures with tax incentives, and enacted policy declarations for enhancing R&D activities.While scanning the progress made during the past about 50 years, the author has identified certain lacunae in the present Indian S&T system and has indicated certain remedial measures for strengthening it.