PARLIAMENT QUESTION: ENCOURAGING PRIVATE SECTOR RESEARCH
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: ENCOURAGING PRIVATE SECTOR RESEARCH
The Government has taken several initiatives to encourage private sector research and innovation in various domains, including energy transition, deep-tech, artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology and mining-related technologies. In this regard, the Government has launched the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme on 03 November 2025 with a total outlay of ₹1 lakh crore over six years to incentivise private sector participation in R&D.
The scheme targets strategic technology sectors, including energy security and energy transition and climate action; deep technologies such as quantum computing, robotics and space; AI and its applications in agriculture, health and education; biotechnology, biomanufacturing, synthetic biology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices; and the digital economy, including digital agriculture. The scheme also supports technologies whose indigenisation is important for strategic or economic security and for promoting Atmanirbhar Bharat, as well as any other sector or technology considered necessary in the public interest.
The scheme operates at the national level and is implemented through a competitive, proposal-based mechanism as per the approved guidelines. Under this framework, the Technology Development Board (TDB) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) have been designated as Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs) and have launched calls for project proposals on 4 February 2026 and 13 February 2026, respectively. The SLFMs will provide funding to eligible technology entities, including start-ups, companies and industry-led R&D projects, developing technologies at TRL 4 and above in strategic and sunrise sectors.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is implementing the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), approved by the Union Cabinet with an outlay of ₹3,660 crore, under which 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) have been established in academic institutions across the country. These hubs support deep-tech start-ups and research in areas such as AI & ML, robotics, IoT, cybersecurity, mining, quantum technologies and fintech. One such hub, Technology Innovation in Exploration & Mining Foundation at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, focuses on mining technologies from exploration to beneficiation of minerals. Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) supported by DST also promote innovation and entrepreneurship by providing incubation support, mentoring and seed funding to start-ups, including those working in deep-technology areas.
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has launched several initiatives, including the 2D Innovation Hub, EV Mission, MedTech Mission, Artificial Intelligence for Science & Engineering, and the CRM Research Programme under its Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas (MAHA). These initiatives promote industry-academia partnerships, incubation ecosystems and multi-stage engagement models to accelerate the development and commercialisation of research in sectors like energy transition, deep-tech, AI and biotech, with mandatory participation of relevant industries, PSUs and start-ups.
The details of projects approved, technologies developed and financial assistance provided to support technical institutions and the start-up ecosystem in Jharkhand under ANRF and DST initiatives, including NM-ICPS, R&D Infrastructure, NIDHI-iTBI and the Technology Development Programme, are given below:
Program Name
Total projects sanctioned
Core Research Grant
77
Empowerment and Equity Opportunities for Excellence in Science
7
Inclusivity Research Grant
2
MATRICS
11
National Post-Doctoral Fellowship (N-PDF)
12
Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR)
1
Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant
20
Ramanujan Fellowship
1
Scientific and Useful Profound Research Advancement (SUPRA)
1
SERB-POWER Grant
7
Special Call for Proposals
2
Start-up Research Grant
35
State University Research Excellence (SERB SURE)
2
Teachers Associateship For Research Excellence (TARE)
3
Institute Name
Details of the Project
Amount (Rs)
Jharkhand Technical University
TEXMiN-JUT Center has been established for putting CPS technologies
50.0 Lakhs
BIT Sindri
TEXMiN-BIT Sindri Center has been established in Sindri Campus
50.0 Lakhs
NIT Jamshedpur
Technology development project has been provided for development of Hand held drone compatible microwave scanner
20.95 Lakhs
CIMFR, Dhanbad
Projects have been provided for development of multispectral based coal
70.0 Lakhs
ISM Dhanbad
Projects have been provided to ISM Dhanbad for various projects in CPS technologies, particularly for mineral exploration and mining.
3+ Crore
PMRC, Dhanbad
Project for development of AI driven CPS systems for treatment of water from Coal bed methane well.
60.0 Lakhs
Programme Name
Details
Amount (Rs)
The Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in Universities and Higher Educational Institutions (FIST)
Over the last five years, 13 STEM departments across 5 Jharkhand institutions (IIT-Dhanbad, BITS-Mesra, Central University of Jharkhand, NIT Jamshedpur, and BIT Sindri) received under FIST
13.55 crore
The Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE)
The Central University of Jharkhand has been supported under PURSE.
5.26 crore
S. No.
Programme Name
Name of Host Institution
City/State
Sanctioned amount
1
NIDHI Inclusive Technology Business Incubator (NIDHI-iTBI)
National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur
Jamshedpur, Jharkhand
Rs. 3,30,64,600
S.No
Programme Name
Institute Name
Sanctioned Cost
(In Rs.)
1
Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AMT)
CSIR-NML
46,53,674
2
IIT (ISM) – Dhanbad
50,81,546
3
CSIR-NML
6,35,35,040
4
Waste Management Technologies (WMT)
CSIR-NML
65,81,692
5
Technology Development Programme (TDP)
NIT-Jamshedpur
30,06,960
6
NIT-Jamshedpur
12,98,450
7
Biomedical Device and Technology Development (BDTD)
Jagannath Nagar College, Ranchi University
14,00,764
8
NIDHI Inclusive Technology Business Incubator (NIDHI-iTBI)
NIT-Jamshedpur
3,30,64,600
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), recently operationalised, aims to strengthen the national research and innovation ecosystem by promoting collaboration among academia, industry and government, and by supporting high-impact research and innovation initiatives.
The initiatives of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) are assessed periodically through third-party evaluations and national-level Expert Advisory Committees, and the recommendations arising from such assessments are considered for improving and expanding the programmes, wherever required.
This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent charge) for the Ministry of Science and Technology & Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
- The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), being a national funding agency, does not have any state-specific programmes. All its programmes are announced nationally through open calls and are open to eligible institutions and researchers across the country, including those in the State of Jharkhand. The programme-wise details of sanctioned projects during the last three years are given below: