Science and technology indicators: new issues and challenges

Over the years the methodologies for collecting data on science and technology (S&T) and developing indicators based on the analysis of the data collected have been useful to policy makers and the scientific community as the indicators help in developing evidence-based policies, assessing the impacts of investments in S&T and identifying the strengths and weaknesses in the innovation systems. However recently, there have been initiatives to develop better indicators, improve the methodologies and identify what is more relevant in terms of policy making. This article provides an overview of these debates and related developments in the Indian context, with a focus on access, equity and inclusion aspects of S&T policy and how to integrate them in S&T indicators.