PARLIAMENT QUESTION: S&T RELATED SCHEMES AND EMPLOYMENT/SELF-EMPLOYMENT VENTURES
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: S&T RELATED SCHEMES AND EMPLOYMENT/SELF-EMPLOYMENT VENTURES
The Ministry of Science and Technology is implementing various Central Sector schemes across the country with the objective of promoting research and development (R&D), innovation, entrepreneurship, technology dissemination, and inclusive socio- economic development.
These schemes are implemented through a competitive, proposal- based mechanism, and do not have State or district-wise budgetary allocations. Institutions, researchers, startups and innovators across all States and Union Territories, including Dadra and Nagar Haveli, are eligible to apply as per the prescribed guidelines of the schemes. Following are the major schemes being implemented.
The Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme is operational under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), with an objective to enhance private sector participation in R&D. The scheme supports low-interest &long-term financing in high-risk, high-impact R&D projects and startups. The Scheme covers sunrise sectors such as energy security and climate action; deep technologies such as quantum, robotics and space; artificial intelligence applications; biotechnology and biomanufacturing; pharmaceuticals and medical devices; digital economy, and other technologies critical for strategic and economic security of the country.
DST, under the National Quantum Mission (NQM) has supported the development of indigenous capabilities in quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing, and quantum materials, along with the creation of an ecosystem with strong R&D and skilled manpower base in quantum technologies.
DST has supported research infrastructure schemes such as the Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure (FIST), Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE), Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facilities (SAIF), and Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes (SATHI) to strengthen advanced research facilities in academic and R&D institutions.
The National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) program of DST has supported innovation-driven and technology-based startups through prototyping, incubation, seed funding, and entrepreneurship development activities. Under NIDHI PRAYAS program, mentoring and financial assistance is provided to innovators and entrepreneurs, including women entrepreneurs, for proof of concept and prototype development, helping them to create their own ventures and employment. Under NIDHI EiR (Entrepreneur in Residence) program, entrepreneurial mentoring and financial support is
provided to students to pursue entrepreneurship, create ventures and employment.
Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) programmes, including INSPIRE–Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge (MANAK), INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) and Vigyan Jyoti, has been supporting meritorious youth, through scholarships and fellowships, to pursue studies in basic and natural sciences at the college and university levels and to take up research careers in basic and applied science disciplines, including engineering, medicine, agriculture, veterinary sciences etc.
Climate, Energy and Sustainable Technology (CEST) program has supported R&D in renewable energy, hydrogen and fuel cells, advanced energy storage, carbon capture and utilisation, methane mitigation, and technologies for hard-to-abate sectors.
National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM- ICPS), has established Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) in leading institutions with a focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, cybersecurity, and related areas.
Department of Biotechnology (DBT) supports research and development across the country through the Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE) scheme, covering Biotechnology Research and Development (R&D), Industrial and Entrepreneurship Development (I&ED), and Biomanufacturing &Biofoundry.
The State-wise details of the number of persons who have directly benefited under the specific schemes during the last two years are placed at Annexure-I.
The Government has taken several positive steps to ensure smooth implementation, effective outreach, and equitable access, particularly in rural, aspirational, and underserved regions. Following activities have been supported:
Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, aimed at livelihood creation and quality-of-life improvement.
Annexure-I
State-wise number of direct beneficiaries
S.
No.
Name of States/UTs
Number of direct beneficiaries of the specific program (DST)
Entrepreneur- in-Residence (NIDHI–EiR)
Programme
NIDHI– PRAYAS
Programme
INSPIRE
Programme (Scholarship, Fellowship & Faculty
Fellowships)
1.
Andhra Pradesh
1
21
288
2.
Arunachal
Pradesh
—
—
15
3.
Assam
—
10
691
4.
Bihar
—
13
1270
5.
Chhattisgarh
—
2
2360
6.
Goa
3
1
95
7.
Gujarat
11
52
745
8.
Haryana
—
21
734
9.
Himachal
Pradesh
2
2
888
10.
Jharkhand
—
2
194
11.
Karnataka
5
81
964
12.
Kerala
3
41
3093
13.
Madhya
Pradesh
—
9
3401
14.
Maharashtra
11
71
1797
15.
Manipur
2
—
636
16.
Meghalaya
—
—
143
17.
Mizoram
—
—
51
18.
Nagaland
—
—
73
19.
Odisha
3
32
920
20.
Punjab
—
5
535
21.
Rajasthan
3
23
13052
22.
Sikkim
—
—
10
23.
Tamil Nadu
23
99
762
S.
No.
Name of States/UTs
Number of direct beneficiaries of the specific program (DST)
Entrepreneur- in-Residence (NIDHI–EiR)
Programme
NIDHI– PRAYAS
Programme
INSPIRE
Programme (Scholarship, Fellowship & Faculty Fellowships)
24.
Telangana
5
44
490
25.
Tripura
—
—
42
26.
Uttarakhand
—
4
2089
27.
Uttar Pradesh
12
29
29246
28.
West Bengal
3
11
3875
29.
Andaman and
Nicobar Islands
—
—
4
30.
Chandigarh
—
1
136
31.
Dadra and
Nagar Haveli and Daman and
Diu
—
—
2
32.
Jammu and
Kashmir
—
4
284
33.
Delhi
2
14
775
34.
Pondicherry
—
—
20