Lok Sabha Question No. 2187 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Awareness about Vigyan Dhara Scheme
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Arvind Dharmapuri

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2187 ANSWERED ON 12/03/2025

## AWARENESS ABOUT VIGYAN DHARA SCHEME

## 2187. SHRI ARVIND DHARMAPURI:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken by the ministry to raise awareness regarding the  Vigyan  Dhara  scheme  among  educational  institutes,  research organisations and the general public;
- (b) whether  the  ministry  maintains  a  record  of  the  number  of beneficiaries, both individual and institutional, who have availed of the scheme since its inception, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the budget allocated and utilised under the said scheme since its inception, State/UT-wise; and
- (d) the details regarding the number of beneficiaries and research projects supported under the scheme in Telangana along with the funds allocated and utilized?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

( स्ितंत्र प्रभार)

विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी तथा पृ थ्िी विज्ञान मंत्रालय क े राज्य मंत्री (डॉ. जितेंद्र स ंह)

- (a) The  Vigyan  Dhara  scheme came into force with effect from 16.01.2025 after the merger of three umbrella schemes namely (1) Science and Technology Institutional and Human Capacity Building, (2)  Research  and  Development  and  (3)  Innovation,  Technology Development  and  Deployment  of  the  Department  of  Science  and Technology (DST). The department has undertaken several proactive measures to raise  awareness  regarding  the  Vigyan  Dhara  scheme

among  educational  institutions,  research  organization,  and  the general public. Adequate media coverage of the scheme was made through print, social and digital communication platforms.  Detailed information about the various programmes under this scheme, have been  made  publicly  accessible  through  official  web  portal.  The officials  of  the  department  have  also  engaged  themselves  in interacting with the stakeholders to spread awareness about various programs/schemes of Vigyan Dhara.

- (b) The department maintains record of the number of beneficiaries who have availed benefits of the scheme. As per the record, 57,869 individual beneficiaries have availed the scheme, so far. The beneficiaries include young students in the age group of 1015 years and studying in class VI to X availing the benefits under INSPIRE-MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge)  scheme  that  aims  to  attract  young  students  to  study science  and  pursue  research  career  and  also  promote  creative thinking and foster a culture of innovation among them.
- (c) Vigyan Dhara scheme is a central sector scheme and is being implemented at pan India level.  The details of budget allocated and utilized since its inception are as follows:
- (d) In the state of Telengana, a total of 4002 beneficiaries have availed of the scheme and a total budget of Rs. 3.3 Crore has been utilized as an 10.03.2025.

| Year    |   Allocated (Rs. crore) | Utilized as on 10.03.2025 (Rs. In crore)   |
|---------|-------------------------|--------------------------------------------|
| 2024-25 |                  330.75 | 89.10                                      |
| 2025-26 |                 1425    | -                                          |

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