But No Funds for Research and Innovation
Over the past five years alone, the Government of India has spent nearly ₹2,447 crore on advertisements. That averages roughly ₹1.34 crore per day, according to data shared in December 2025 in response to a question raised by Congress MP Shafi Parambil [1,2].
Let that number sink in.
₹2,447 crore in just five years — not on hospitals, not on research laboratories, not on innovation centers, not on scholarships — but on advertisements.
Out of this amount:
- ₹985 crore was spent on audio-visual advertisements
- ₹930.24 crore on print media
- ₹392.51 crore on outdoor publicity like hoardings
- ₹138.71 crore on digital and new media
Year-wise spending also shows a rising trend:
- ₹409.55 crore (2020–21)
- ₹317.48 crore (2021–22)
- ₹408.37 crore (2022–23)
- ₹656.6 crore (2023–24)
- ₹654.9 crore (2024–25)
In another official disclosure, the Centre revealed that since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014, the government has spent ₹6,491.56 crore on advertisements in print and electronic media alone, as informed by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting in the Lok Sabha [3].
These are not small numbers. These are not minor expenses. These are thousands of crores of public money.
And we must remember — this is not the government’s personal money.
This is the people’s money.
This is tax money.
Whose Money Is Being Spent?
Every Indian citizen contributes to the government’s revenue, directly or indirectly. Many people in India work 12–18 hours a day and earn ₹400–₹500 as daily wages. From that income, taxes are deducted in various forms. Whether through GST, income tax, fuel tax, service tax, or indirect taxation on everyday items, citizens constantly contribute to the national treasury.
Some goods attract more than 50% in cumulative taxes. On average, an Indian citizen pays anywhere between 18% to 30% in different forms of taxation.
We accept this burden with a belief.
We believe that our hard-earned money will be spent wisely.
We believe that our sacrifices will translate into better healthcare, stronger education systems, advanced research facilities, improved infrastructure, and long-term national development.
But when we examine the numbers, we find that thousands of crores are being spent on advertisements.
Not on innovation.
Not on research.
Not on scientific advancement.
But on publicity.
Why So Much Advertising?
The obvious question arises: Why does a government need to advertise so aggressively?
If a government is genuinely working for its citizens, people will recognize its contributions naturally. Development does not need loud posters. Effective governance does not require daily promotion.
Yet, we see a different reality.
Everywhere we look — newspapers, television, social media platforms, highways, railway stations — there are posters and advertisements showcasing government schemes. And almost always, a familiar face appears prominently: the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister, or another political leader.
Is governance now a branding exercise?
Public schemes are presented as personal achievements. Infrastructure projects are announced with massive hoardings carrying leaders’ photographs. Even routine policy announcements are wrapped in promotional campaigns.
If the work speaks for itself, why does it need so much promotion?
A Culture of Political Publicity
Each political party has its own media management cell. These teams design campaigns, control narratives, and promote leaders. Public money is spent to broadcast messages that often highlight achievements in a way that benefits the ruling party’s image.
In a democracy, informing citizens about policies is important. But there is a difference between information and propaganda.
When advertising becomes excessive, when the leader’s image dominates every public message, when government achievements are packaged like commercial products — the line between governance and marketing begins to blur.
₹2,447 crore is not a small amount.
With that money:
- At least 4–5 multi-speciality hospitals could have been built.
- Thousands of ICU beds could have been installed.
- Emergency health services could have been strengthened.
- Jobs could have been created.
- Research centers could have been funded.
But instead, crores were spent on advertisements.
And this is just central government data. State governments also spend heavily on publicity. If we calculate the combined spending of all states and the Centre, the total would likely exceed our imagination.
The Opportunity Cost of Publicity
Every rupee spent on advertising is a rupee not spent somewhere else.
Imagine the potential impact if even a fraction of that money were redirected toward research and innovation.
Let us do a simple calculation.
A postdoctoral researcher in India earns approximately ₹50,000 per month. That equals ₹6 lakh per year.
If we fund 100 postdoctoral researchers for one year:
100 × ₹6 lakh = ₹6 crore.
Just ₹6 crore.
With ₹6 crore, 100 highly educated individuals could be employed for a full year, contributing to scientific research and technological advancement.
Now extend this further.
₹30 crore could fund 100 researchers for five years.
₹150 crore could fund 500 postdoctoral researchers for five years.
And we are talking about ₹2,447 crore spent in just five years.
If ₹10,000 crore were spent over 11 years on advertising and publicity (combining various figures), imagine what that could have achieved in research.
Roughly calculated:
₹10,000 crore could fund approximately 35,000 postdoctoral researchers for five years.
Does India even currently have that many postdocs in the system?
With such funding:
- 50,000 PhD students could receive full five-year scholarships.
- Research infrastructure could be upgraded.
- Laboratories could be modernized.
- International collaborations could be strengthened.
- Innovation ecosystems could be built.
Instead of depending on foreign technology, India could become a technology producer.
Instead of exporting talent, we could retain our brightest minds.
Instead of celebrating Indians becoming CEOs abroad, we could celebrate breakthroughs happening at home.
No Funds for R&D, But Funds for Promotion
It is often said that there is “no budget” for research and development.
Scientists struggle to secure grants.
Universities operate with outdated equipment.
Research proposals face delays and rejections due to limited funds.
Young scholars abandon academia because of unstable career prospects.
But when it comes to advertising, funds are available.
This contradiction reveals a deeper problem: priorities.
If a nation truly wants to grow, it invests in knowledge. It strengthens education, funds laboratories, encourages innovation, and builds scientific capacity.
Developed nations did not become developed by advertising themselves. They became strong by investing in research, manufacturing, technology, and human capital.
Political Luxury vs National Growth
India collects enormous revenue through direct and indirect taxes. Yet, a significant portion is spent on political luxury:
- VVIP security and facilities
- Official residences
- Convoys and protocol arrangements
- Event management
- Image-building campaigns
Meanwhile:
- Government hospitals lack basic infrastructure.
- Government schools struggle with teacher shortages.
- Universities lack world-class research facilities.
- Scientists leave the country for better opportunities.
How can a nation grow if its focus remains on image rather than substance?
During Elections: Even More Spending
The numbers mentioned earlier do not even include election spending. During elections, campaign expenditures skyrocket. Posters, banners, digital ads, rallies, social media campaigns — crores are spent to capture attention.
While political parties claim that campaign funds are separate, the ecosystem of publicity overlaps heavily with governance advertising.
Imagine if the same energy and money were directed toward:
- Building research parks.
- Supporting startups.
- Funding renewable energy innovation.
- Strengthening AI and semiconductor research.
- Improving public universities.
India has the talent. What it often lacks is sustained investment.
Brain Drain and Lost Potential
Every year, millions of Indians migrate abroad for better opportunities. Many of them are highly educated — engineers, scientists, doctors, researchers.
We proudly say that Indians lead global companies like Google and Microsoft.
But we must ask: Why are they leading those companies abroad and not building similar giants at home?
Because those countries invested in research ecosystems.
They funded innovation.
They created environments where talent could flourish.
If even a portion of advertising expenditure were invested in R&D, India’s global standing in science and technology would dramatically improve.
The Illusion of Development
Advertising creates an image of progress.
But image is not reality.
Real development shows in:
- Strong public universities.
- Nobel-level research.
- Patents and technological breakthroughs.
- Industrial innovation.
- Skilled employment.
If the foundation is weak, no amount of advertising can hide it forever.
Citizens do not need constant reminders of government achievements. They need tangible improvements in their lives.
The Responsibility of Citizens
It is not only the government’s responsibility. Citizens must also become aware.
When we see posters and advertisements everywhere, we should ask:
Whose money funded this?
When we celebrate large promotional campaigns, we should ask:
Could this money have been used better?
Democracy works when citizens question priorities.
A Vision for Change
India has immense potential.
If public money is spent wisely:
- Research funding can increase.
- Universities can compete globally.
- Healthcare can improve.
- Employment can rise.
- Innovation can thrive.
Instead of becoming a consumer market for global products, India could become a creator of global technologies.
Instead of exporting talent, we could nurture it.
Instead of spending crores on publicity, we could spend crores on progress.
Final Reflection
Advertising has its place. Informing citizens about schemes is necessary. But when publicity overshadows progress, priorities must be reconsidered.
₹2,447 crore in five years.
₹6,491.56 crore since 2014.
Possibly over ₹10,000 crore when combined with broader publicity spending.
These are not just numbers.
They represent opportunities lost.
Opportunities for research.
Opportunities for innovation.
Opportunities for employment.
Opportunities for national growth.
If India truly wishes to stand alongside developed nations like the US, UK, and EU countries, it must shift its focus from image-building to institution-building.
From posters to laboratories.
From publicity to progress.
From propaganda to productivity.
Only then can the nation move forward — not just in appearance, but in reality.
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