Strengthening Medical Research in India: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Way Forward - Dr Ashokkumar Thakkar

The Blackbuck Medical Research Summit & Awards 2025, jointly organized by the National Medical Forum and Medical Dialogues, served as an inspiring platform for dialogue on the future of medical research in India. With esteemed leaders, the summit emphasized the urgent need to address systemic challenges while nurturing India’s vast potential in medical innovation.

Medical research in India is not merely an academic exercise, rather it is central to addressing our country’s unique healthcare challenges, ranging from infectious diseases and maternal health to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. However, despite an expanding pool of talented researchers and clinicians, the sector continues to face persistent hurdles that hinder progress.

Key Challenges in Medical Research in India

1. Funding Gaps and Resource Constraints One of the most pressing challenges is inadequate funding. Although India has made strides in increasing investments in science and technology, research in medicine and medtech often receives limited and fragmented support. Most institutions struggle with resource constraints, outdated infrastructure, and insufficient access to advanced technology, forcing many researchers to rely heavily on personal initiative or external collaborations.

Moreover, in academia, the absence of fast-track grant systems is a major roadblock. Research proposals can take years to receive approval and funding, which delays innovation and discourages many researchers from pursuing ambitious projects. As a result, Indian institutions often depend on external parties and international sponsors for research funding. While these collaborations bring global exposure, they also tend to shift the research agenda away from India’s most pressing health challenges. Without dedicated, timely, and India-focused funding mechanisms, transformative research remains difficult to achieve.

2. Lack of public-private collaboration Another critical gap lies in the lack of robust public–private collaboration. Globally, industry partnerships play a vital role in funding cutting-edge research, supporting translational studies, and accelerating the path from lab to clinic. In India, however, collaboration between academia, government, and industry remains underdeveloped. This limits opportunities for scaling innovations, accessing advanced technology, and ensuring that research outcomes are effectively translated into healthcare solutions.

3. Pressure to Publish and the Rise of Unethical Practices The “publish or perish” culture has become increasingly pervasive in academic scenario. Young researchers and/or faculty members often face immense pressure to publish for degree, promotions, academic recognition, or institutional ranking. Unfortunately, this pressure has, in some cases, led to unethical practices such as predatory publishing, duplication, or manipulation of data. These trends not only undermine the credibility of Indian medical research but also divert attention from quality-driven, impactful studies.

4. Limited Mentorship and Capacity Building While India has a strong pool of clinicians and medical professionals, structured mentorship in research methodology, data analysis, and publication ethics is still lacking. Many young researchers and doctors are eager to pursue research but lack the guidance needed to conduct high-quality, ethical, and impactful studies.

5. Policy-to-Practice Gap Though various committees and regulatory bodies have emphasized the importance of research, there is often a gap between policy intent and practical implementation. Clear frameworks for collaboration, streamlined approval processes, and stronger institutional support are essential for bridging this gap.

Opportunities for Growth

Despite these challenges, India is uniquely positioned to make landmark contributions to global medical science. With its diverse population, vast patient base, and growing digital health infrastructure, the country offers unparalleled opportunities for clinical trials, epidemiological studies, and innovation in affordable healthcare technologies.

Strengthening medical research in India requires:

 Enhanced Funding Models: Creating dedicated grants, public-private partnerships, and fellowship opportunities that enable long-term, sustainable research.

 Quality Over Quantity in Publishing: Shifting the academic culture towards rewarding impactful research outcomes rather than the sheer number of publications.

 Research Ethics and Training: Establishing robust mentorship programs, workshops, and training modules on research ethics, data integrity, and advanced methodologies.

 Collaboration and Networking: Encouraging cross-institutional, interdisciplinary, and international collaborations to leverage shared expertise and resources.

 Policy Reforms: Simplifying regulatory frameworks, improving transparency, and ensuring that policies translate into meaningful on-ground support for researchers.

The Way Forward

The discussions and recommendations emerging from the Blackbuck Medical Research Summit & Awards 2025 will form the basis of a White Paper, which aims to provide a roadmap for strengthening India’s research ecosystem. By addressing issues of funding, publication ethics, and institutional support, we can create an environment where medical research thrives not under pressure, but through innovation and integrity.

India has the talent, the patient diversity, and the scientific curiosity needed to become a leader in global healthcare research. What we need now is a collective commitment by policymakers, institutions, and researchers to ensure that challenges are transformed into opportunities, and that medical research serves its true purpose: improving lives.

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.