The government’s emphasis on restructuring of higher education research - PhD topics - to fit emerging needs and priorities of the country is mainly to address longstanding criticisms and demand that research lacks practical application or alignment with the country’s objectives, unlike Western or some Southeastern countries.

“Through ‘Network Project System’, including research by multiple research scholars, may be explored,” read the directive.

The PMO wants to shun the traditional doctoral research models and has proposed collaborative frameworks, the source said.

The government is also working on making a strong and credible ‘Network Project System’. The changes proposed in the directives are to address the complex technological challenges that require multidisciplinary teams.

The Prime Minister's Office also directed for expansion of the commercialisation of defence sector innovations.

“Researchers and manufacturers in defence sectors should be encouraged to use their technology for commercial manufacturing of products for civilian use to promote technological development,” the document stated.

This push for defence technology commercialisation is motivated by dual objectives, the source said.

First, it is aimed at reducing India's dependence on imported civilian technologies, and secondly, creating revenue streams that further support defence research.

The PMO has also suggested exploring “reverse engineering can also be one of the valuable tools” for technological advancement and in an effort to make the country ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.