Science And Technology
Numerous government schemes and initiatives in India promote science
and technology across various sectors, focusing on research, innovation,
and application for societal benefit. These programs are designed to
enhance technological capabilities, foster a culture of innovation, and
leverage scientific advancements for national development.
Vigyan Dhara (DST)
Background:
• Approved by the Union Cabinet in August 2024 under the
Department of Science & Technology.
• It unifies/merges three earlier umbrella schemes into one “central
sector scheme”—this includes institutional & human capacity
building, research & development (R&D), innovation, technology
development & deployment.
• The scheme runs for the period of 15th Finance Commission
(2021-22 to 2025-26) with a total outlay of ₹10,579.84 crore.
Objectives:
• Strengthen S&T ecosystem: increase research capability,
innovation, technology deployment.
• Capacity building: fellowships, internships, enhancing R&D
infrastructure and human resources.
Implementation / Status / Evidence:
• Research projects especially in areas like clean energy, climate
change etc. are priority.
Critical Issues / Challenges:
• Ensuring equitable geographic & socio-economic distribution of
benefits (students in remote/rural areas getting
fellowships/internships)
• Translating research / innovation into real usable technology /
commercial deployment
• Monitoring & evaluation: whether investment yields publications,
patents, livelihoods etc.
• Sustainability post-2025-26 (expiry of the finance commission
period) and ensuring continued funding or integration into newer
schemes.
NIDHI — National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing
Innovations (DST via NSTEDB)
What it is:
• Under the National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship
Development Board (NSTEDB) of the Department of Science &
Technology.
• NIDHI is a flagship Programme to support innovation, startups,
idea validation, incubation etc.
Key Sub-Schemes / Elements:
• NIDHI-TBI (Technology Business Incubator)
• NIDHI-Inclusive Technology Business Incubator (i-TBI)
• NIDHI-PRAYAS (Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring
Technology Entrepreneurs)
• NIDHI-EIR (Entrepreneurs-in-Residence)
• NIDHI-Seed Support Program (SSP)
• NIDHI-Accelerator
• NIDHI Coe (Centre of Excellence) etc.
Objectives:
• Foster technology driven startups, converting ideas to prototypes,
help with scaling, mentoring, financing, etc.
• Encourage inclusive innovation (via i-TBI, etc.) to bring
underserved innovators into the ecosystem.
Implementation / Evidence:
• Many incubators supported; grants and acceleration support have
been given. (However, exact numbers vary depending on sub-
scheme; public reports show hundreds to thousands of innovators
supported.)
• The scheme is part of government's broader startup / innovation
push.
Challenges:
• Funding quantum vs. needs of startups (prototype to scaling is
expensive).
• Ensuring support in non-metro regions or for disadvantaged
innovators.
• Access to markets / regulatory clearances / IP protection etc.
• Attrition: many startups fail; need for stronger mentoring, business
model support etc.
National Quantum Mission (NQM)
What it is:
• Approved by Indian government, under DST, to boost R&D &
industrialization in quantum technologies.
• Mission cost: approx. ₹6,003.65 crore spanning from 2023-24 to
2030-31.
Objectives:
• Develop quantum computing, quantum communication, sensing &
metrology, materials & devices.
• Deliverables include: intermediate scale quantum computers (50-
1000 physical qubits), satellite based secure quantum
communications, inter-city quantum key distribution over large
distances etc.
Implementation / Evidence:
• Call for proposals for thematic hubs (T-Hubs) & technical groups
(TGs) under NQM already issued; some selections of hubs have
been made.
• Work includes collaboration among national labs, universities &
private sector.
Challenges / Risks:
• Quantum technologies are expensive and long-term; achieving
technical goals (qubit count, error correction, quantum memory
etc.) is hard.
• Talent shortage in niche areas; skilled quantum engineers /
scientists needed.
• Need for robust infrastructure and R&D facilities; also sustaining
post-mission viability.
• Security, standards, quantum-safe cryptography etc. need
regulatory foresight.
State / Regional Innovation / Science & Technology Programmes
State Science & Technology Programme (DST, State-Centre
cooperation):
• Purpose: align state STI (Science Technology Innovation)
ecosystems with national priorities, support state-specific
technological challenges.
• Activities: capacity building, awareness, state-level S&T councils,
demonstration of technologies, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
support etc.
Examples of State Innovation Moves (recent):
• Maharashtra Startup & Innovation Policy 2025: Gov’t of
Maharashtra aiming to create many entrepreneurs, firms, allocate
state funds.
• Digital Science Park, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala): first “digital
science park” to combine incubation, labs, digital technologies etc.
Challenges / Issues:
• State capacity may vary; some states have strong
administrative/institutional base, others less so.
• Ensuring synergy / avoiding duplication with central schemes.
• Funding and sustaining infrastructure at state level.
• Local skill availability and ensuring benefit reaches remote /
disadvantaged communities.
Science & Technology for Women; MANAK / INSPIRE etc. (DST)
What it is:
• Several programmes under DST aiming at encouraging and
supporting women, students, children etc. in science & innovation.
For instance: “Science and Technology for Women” Programme;
“INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research)”
with its MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National
Aspirations and Knowledge) component.
Objectives:
• Spur science awareness, creativity, original ideas and innovations
in young students (e.g., Class 6-10) via competitions, exhibitions.
• Support projects by women in technology, reduce drudgery,
improve livelihoods etc. under S&T for Women.
Implementation / Evidence:
• MANAK: large number of ideas submitted (~6.5 lakh + ideas from
many schools) during 2020-21.
• Many Women Technology Parks and grassroots tech projects
supported.
Challenges:
• Ensuring the ideas/projects go beyond competition-level to real
deployment and impact.
• Continuity of support; mentorship, funding, scaling for winners.
• Reaching gender/economic/geographic diversity.
SUNIL Programme (Strengthening, Upscaling & Nurturing Local
Innovations for Livelihood) (DST)
What it is:
• A DST Programme aimed at improving livelihood and socio-
economic conditions of economically weaker sections via
technology & innovation.
Objectives:
• Deploy field-tested/local technologies; capacity building; creation
of social enterprises.
• Major domains: water, sanitation, health & nutrition, local
transport, clean energy, etc.
• To identify the strengths & weaknesses of existing livelihood
system of EWS community and implement S&T based local/
systemic solutions at community level;
• To provide emerging & locally appropriate STI solutions to
strengthen weakest link of livelihood system and improve the S&T
capacity, skills, forward & backward linkages and socio-economic
conditions of community-based organizations;
• To utilize strongest link of local livelihood system for encouraging
social entrepreneurship development for EWS.
•
Challenges / Risks:
• Ensuring local innovations are suitable to local context; balancing
technological sophistication with affordability.
• Ensuring technological adoption, maintenance, and social
acceptance.
• Ensuring that SC/ST communities have resources, support, access
to market / supply chains.
TECHNOLOGY INTERVENTIONS FOR DISABLED AND
ELDERLY (TIDE)
TIDE Programme is a unique initiative of DST to create inclusiveness and
universal accessibility for Divyangjan and the Elderly, through promotion
and development of various assistive tools, technologies, techniques,
affordable & adaptable to the Indian milieu. Proposals are supported
under six (6) different broad thematic areas as mentioned below.
• Elderly/Geriatric Sector
• Visual Disability (including low vision)
• Intellectual Disabilities (including Learning Disabilities)
• Hearing & Speech Disabilities
• Locomotor Disability
• Multiple Disabilities
SCHEMES FOR YOUNG SCIENTIST AND TECHNOLOGISTS
(SYST)
Scheme for Young Scientist & Technologist (SYST) Programme of
Department of Science and Technology (DST) aims to motivate and
nurture young scientist & technologists who have adequate background
and training in fields of science and technology and inclined to
undertake application oriented socially relevant research projects. Young
Scientists are supported for finding affordable and adaptable Science and
Technological (S&T) solutions for identified socio-economic challenges
and strengthening the livelihood of marginalized communities for
sustainable and inclusive development of society. The Programme
focusses on the development/demonstration of technologies, techniques
and processes for societal problems through Science and Technology
(S&T) interventions. The themes covered for innovative S&T solutions
for societal issues include livelihood, health, hygiene, sanitation, waste
valorisation etc.
Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) Scheme:
A program by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council
(BIRAC) that invests in innovative ideas in the biotech sector by
supporting individual entrepreneurs and startups from the idea stage to
the proof of concept.
Technology Development Programmes - DST /Department of
Science & Technology
One such is Technology Development Programme (TDP / TSDP): helps
convert proof-of-concepts into pre-competitive commercial
technologies; supports feasibility studies and integrating technologies.
Also, DST's "Science & Technology for Women" scheme: encourages
gender equality in S&T; supports women in entrepreneurship,
technology parks, reduction of drudgery, etc.
State Science & Technology Programme
A mechanism for cooperation between Centre and States to address
state-specific S&T challenges and align with national priorities.
Includes strengthening state-level STI ecosystem, human resource
development, promoting awareness and IPR (Intellectual Property
Rights) at state level.