Lok Sabha Question No. 2891 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-17
Subject: Science & Technology Schemes, Research Collaboration and Startup Promotion in Vellore Region
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Thiru D M Kathir Anand

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2891 ANSWERED ON 17/12/2025

## SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY SCHEMES, RESEARCH COLLABORATION AND STARTUP PROMOTION IN VELLORE REGION

## 2891.  THIRU D M KATHIR ANAND:

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

- (a) the details of the schemes/programs implemented in Vellore, Katpadi, K.V. Kuppam, Gudiyattam, Vaniyambadi and Ambur under the aegis of Ministry of Science and Technology;
- (b) whether local colleges collaborate with national research labs in association with the department of Science and Technology and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  effective  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote tech startups in Vellore Lok Sabha Constituency?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The Ministry of Science and Technology, through its constituent Departments-namely  the  Department  of  Science  and  Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Council of Scientific and  Industrial  Research  (CSIR)-has  been  implementing  Central Sector schemes to promote research and development, infrastructure strengthening, skill development, technology deployment, and innovation-led  entrepreneurship.  These  schemes  are  not  state  or district specific. However, institutions and individuals from the Vellore region have been availing benefits under various schemes such as:
-  Under  the  Fund  for  Improvement  of  S&T  Infrastructure  (FIST) scheme,  DST  has  supported  VIT  University  and  Thiruvalluvar University of Vellore, for upgradation of their research laboratories, to promote multidisciplinary research and innovation and to train the manpower.
-  Under Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) scheme of DST, VIT University has received

- support  to  undertake  mission-oriented  research  aligned  with national priorities, contributing to high-quality research output.
-  Through  State  Science  and  Technology  Programme  (SSTP)  of DST, an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Cell has been established  at  Thiruvalluvar  University,  Vellore,  through  the Patent Information Centre of the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology. This initiative facilitates patent awareness,  IPR  filing  support  and  innovation  protection  for researchers, students and entrepreneurs in the region.
-  Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has supported a significant number of biomedical, diagnostic, therapeutic and digital health research  projects  at  premier  institutions  such  as  Christian Medical College, VIT University, C. Abdul Hakeem College, Sri Narayani Hospital and Research Centre, and the Centre for Stem Cell Research, Vellore. These projects encompass translational research,  clinical  applications,  and  advanced  biotechnology development, thereby contributing to improved healthcare outcomes and the advancement of scientific knowledge.
-  Council  of  Scientific  and  Industrial  Research,  through  CSIRCentral Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai, has implemented several skill development, training and technology transfer programmes benefiting participants from Vellore, Katpadi,  K.V.  Kuppam,  Gudiyattam,  Vaniyambadi  and  Ambur. These initiatives include diploma programmes, short-term skill enhancement  courses,  consultancy  projects  and  technology licensing in the leather sector, thereby supporting employment generation and strengthening regional industrial clusters.
- (b) With the support of the Department of Science and Technology (DST),  Vellore  Institute  of  Technology  (VIT)  and  Christian  Medical College (CMC), Vellore, have undertaken collaborative and translational  research  projects  in  partnership  with  leading  national research laboratories, addressing critical scientific and technological challenges aligned with national priorities. Following are some of the notable collaborative projects supported by DST:
-  Through the Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AMT) program,  VIT  University  has  collaborated  with  International Advanced  Research  Centre  for  Powder  Metallurgy  and  New Materials  (ARCI),  Hyderabad  to  design  and  develop  surface engineered  solutions  to  enhance  corrosion  resistance  of  the solar energy storage container.

-  Through Therapeutic Chemicals-Rare/Orphan Diseases program, CMC,  Vellore  has  collaborated  with  Central  Drug  Research Institute  (CDRI)  a  constituent  laboratory  of  the  Council  of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to focus on developing cost-effective,  greener  synthesis  routes  for  development  of Nitisinone from basic materials for treatment of rare and orphan diseases.
- (c) The  Government  has  taken  several  effective  measures  to promote technology-based start-ups and innovation-driven entrepreneurship in Vellore through national-level initiatives. These measures focus on strengthening incubation infrastructure, providing early-stage  funding,  enabling  industry-academia  collaboration  and supporting regulatory compliance.

## Key initiatives and interventions include:

-  Department  of  Biotechnology  (DBT),  through  its  Public  Sector Undertaking Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) has established a Technology Business Incubator at VIT University, Vellore, under the BioNEST programme.  This  incubator  provides  comprehensive  support including infrastructure, mentorship, funding access and regulatory guidance.
-  Through Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI) scheme, DBT's BIRAC has supported C. Abdul Hakeem College, Melvisharam, Vellore, to establish a Regulatory Affairs and Policy Advocacy (RAPA) unit to assist startups in navigating regulatory and policy requirements in Public-Private Partnership mode.
-  DST through National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations  (NIDHI)  scheme,  has  established  a  Technology Business Incubator (TBI) at VIT University, Vellore for providing incubation  support  to  the  innovators  and  start-ups  working  to convert their idea into products through technical and business mentoring, IP legal support and access to scientific infrastructure. Through VITTBI a number of start-up promotion programs such as NIDHI PRAYAS (for idea to proof of concept grants)  and  NIDHI  Seed  Support  Program (NIDHI-Seed Support Program: for providing seed funding) are being implemented.

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