Which government agency recently released the report titled “Improving the Culture of Research and Development (R&D) in State Universities and Institutes”?

NITI Aayog’s report on R&D in Indian state universities highlights a doubling of Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) to Rs. 127,381 crore in 2020-21 from Rs. 60,197 crore in 2010-11. Government sectors, including central and state governments, and higher education institutions drive GERD. R&D fosters innovation, aligns education with industry needs, and addresses societal challenges. However, challenges include low GDP spending on R&D compared to global peers, emphasis on teaching over research, and limited enrollment in advanced programs like Ph.D.