Facts:
- Number of think tanks in India has grown from 192 in 2014 to 280 in 2015
- India has fourth highest number of think tanks behind the UK, China and the US
Concerns:
- thinks tanks in India are becoming less influential i.e. the quality of output and level of influence in policymaking have been underwhelming
- bureaucracy jealously hold the policy reins
- Lack of funding from sources other than government
- The government-funded think tanks are not seen as objective enough
- Skewed geographical spread. Capital cities tend to attract think tanks.
Way forward:
- Diversify the sources of funding. This has been achieved to a certain extent with the arrival of foreign private foundations such as Ford Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- Allow top foreign think tanks to open their centres in India
- Limit government involvement and make these think tanks autonomous.
- As the states now account for more than half the total government expenditure in India, the need for a greater number of think tanks in states.
Why Think Tanks are important:
- Provide independent view to government
- All developed countries depend on them for their strategic and policy decisions.
- Special importance in international relations and propaganda setting
- Track 2 diplomacy