Strengthening Medical and Dental Research in India: The Road to Global Leadership - Dr Anil Kohli

Current Challenges in Medical and Dental Research in India

Limited Research Culture — Many medical and dental institutions emphasize clinical training but do not foster a strong culture of research. Students often see research as an additional burden rather than an integral part of their professional growth.

Inadequate Funding — Government and private funding for healthcare research remains disproportionately low compared to developed countries. This restricts large-scale, high-quality studies and limits access to advanced technology and equipment.

Faculty and Mentorship Gaps — There is a shortage of trained mentors Whor can guide young researchers in formulating hypotheses, designing studies, analyzing data, and publishing in reputable journals.

Ovoromphasis on Quantity – Regulatory requirements, such as mandatory publications for faculty promotions, sometimes lead to a focus on producing more papers rather than high-quality, impactful research.

Ethical and Rogulatory Hurdles – Lengthy approval processes, inadequate training in research ethics, and lack of transparency in Institutional Review Boards discourage innovation.

Poor Industry–Acadomia Collaboration – Unlike in countries where pharmaceutical and biomedical industries partner actively with academia, India still lacks a robust ecosystem for such collaboration.

Strategies to Improve Research

• Integrating Research into Curriculum
• Medical and dental education must embed research methodology as a core component of training. Early exposure—through undergraduate research projects, problem-based learning, and elective modules—can ignite curiosity and help students appreciate the role of evidence in clinical decision-making.
• Strengthening Mentorship and Faculty Development
• Faculty should be trained not only as clinicians but also as research guides. Incentives such as dedicated research hours, recognition, and grants for faculty-driven projects can encourage sustained engagement. Mentorship programs pairing students with experienced researchers can build confidence and skills.
• Increasing Funding and Infrastructure
• Government agencies like the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and private foundations should expand funding opportunities. Establishing centralized research laboratories in universities, equipped with advanced tools like molecular biology platforms, imaging systems, and biostatistics support, can overcome infrastructural limitations
• Promoting Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Research S. Medical and dental research should not operate in silos. Collaboration with fields,-.such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, data science, and artificial intelligence can open new avenues for innovation. For example, AI-driven diagnostic tools or nanomaterials for drug delivery in oral cancers hold immense promise.
• Encouraging International Collaborations,
  • Partnerships with global universities and research organizations can provide exposure to advanced methodologies and enhance visibility. Exchange programs, joint publications, and multi-center trials can elevate the global relevance of Indian research.
  • Ethics and Regulatory Reforms
  • Streamlining ethical approval processes, ensuring training in Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and strengthening Institutional Ethics Committees will make research more credible and efficient. A balance must be struck between patient safety and encouraging innovation.
  • Shifting from Quantity to Quality
  • Instead of mandating a fixed number of publications for academic promotions, evaluation should focus on research quality, citations, societal impact, and contribution to clinical practice. Recognizing impactful work will foster meaningful research.
  • Building a Culture of Inquiry
  • Beyond formal structures, nurturing a culture where questioning, critical thinking, and problem-solving are encouraged is vital. Annual research days, student research fellowships, and awards for innovation can celebrate inquiry and, motivate participation.
  • Leveraging Technology and Big Data
  • With India's large and diverse patient population, creating digital health databases can allow robust epidemiological and clinical studies. Electronic medical records, AI-driven analytics, and telemedicine platforms can transform how research is conducted and applied.
  • Industry Partnerships for Translational Research
  • Stronger collaboration between academic institutions and industries can accelerate the translation of bench research into bedside applications. For example, developing affordable dental biomaterials, indigenous implants, or low-cyst diagnostic devices can serve both national needs and global markets

The Road Ahead

India stands at the threshold of becoming a global leader in healthcare research. With its demographic advantage, diverse disease patterns, and growing technological capabilities, the country is uniquely positioned to generate knowledge relevant both locally and internationally. However, this potential will remain untapped unless there is a concerted effort from policymakers, educators, researchers, and industry leaders to prioritize research as much as clinical care. The ultimate goal of improving medical and dental research should not merely be publications or rankings but tangible benefits for patients and society. By creating an ecosystem that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation, India can produce groundbreaking work—whether in combating lifestyle diseases, developing affordable therapies, or pioneering dental technologies.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and not of Medical Dialogues. The Editorial/Content team of Medical Dialogues has not contributed to the writing/editing/packaging of this article.