China accelerates innovation by aligning 441+ new specialized PhD programs with industrial goals, while India leads Asia in paper volume but struggles with global impact rankings. To compete in 2026, India is launching the Anusandhan National Research Foundation and faculty repatriation schemes to shift focus from administrative red tape to high-impact scientific breakthroughs.
The "Last Barrel Principle" is a strategic doctrine that argues nations grow powerful by extracting hidden value from overlooked "residues" (waste, informal economies, diaspora talent) rather than focusing solely on top-layer economic indicators .It posits that countries must identify and refine these wasted national assets, much like John D. Rockefeller monetized the sludge at the bottom of oil barrels, to gain a strategic and geopolitical advantage
A Centre for Energy Studies (CES) is a multidisciplinary research and academic hub focused on advancing sustainable energy technologies like solar, wind, and hydrogen while training experts through advanced degree programs. In 2026, these centers are leading the transition to a carbon-free economy by providing technical consultancy, conducting energy audits, and integrating emerging fields like smart grids and green hydrogen into national policy.