Lok Sabha Question No. 2928 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-17
Subject: Quality of Research Infrastructure and Capacity Building in Scientific Institutions
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Ve Vaithilingam

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

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2928 ANSWERED ON 17/12/2025

## QUALITY OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPACITY BUILDING IN SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS

## 2928.  SHRI VE VAITHILINGAM:

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

- (a) the efforts made to improve the quality of research infrastructure and capacity building in scientific institutions to support innovation nationwide;
- (b) the support provided for initiatives like the PM Research Fellowship and  Deep-Tech  Fund  of  Funds  to  encourage  advanced  research  and entrepreneurship in frontier technologies;
- (c) the Government's approach to creating public-private innovation hubs that promote shared resources and accelerate commercialization; and
- (d) the  strategies  to  increase  awareness  and  participation  in  science and technology among young people in smaller cities and rural areas?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The Government has made several concerted efforts to improve the quality  of  research  infrastructure  and  capacity  building  in  academic  and scientific  institutions  for  fostering  a  robust,  innovation-driven  Research  & Development (R&D) ecosystem in the country. The Ministry of Science and Technology  has  launched  several  need-based  Schemes  and  Programmes, Mission-Mode  Projects,  and  Strategic  Initiatives  to  improve  the  quality  of research infrastructure and build capacity for innovation in India. Details of significant initiatives are given in Annexure-I.
- (b) The  Government  is  providing  substantial  financial  and  structural support for the Prime Minister's Research Fellowship (PMRF) and the DeepTech Fund of Funds (DTFoF) to encourage advanced research and entrepreneurship in frontier technologies. The details are given below:

The Prime Minister's Research Fellowship (PMRF) Scheme: PMRF Scheme was introduced in 2018, with the objective to attract top talent to doctoral research  in  India,  particularly  in  Science  and  Technology,  by  offering attractive fellowships at institutions like IITs, IISc, and IISERs. The PMRF scheme  aims  to  improve  the  quality  of  research  in  higher  educational institutions and foster innovation. The scheme is offered at all IITs, IISERs, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, and some  top Central Universities/NITs that offer science and/or technology degrees. The fellowship  covers  a  research  grant  of  ₹  2,00,000/-  (up  to  ₹  10,00,000/-  for five  years)  with  a  monthly  fellowship  of  ₹  70,000  for  the  first  two  years, increasing to ₹ 75,000 in the third year, and ₹ 80,000 in the fourth and fifth years. A new version of the PMRF scheme, PMRF 2.0, was announced during budget  session  of  FY  2025-26  with  the  introduction  of  10,000  fellowships over the next 5 years to boost R&D and provide enhanced PhD fellowships to build a pipeline of highly skilled researchers and link them with potential industry partners for research projects, fostering industry-academia collaboration.

Deep-Tech  Fund  of  Funds  (DTFoF):  The  Department  for  Promotion  of Industry  and  Internal  Trade  (DPIIT)  led  DTFoF  is  a  significant  initiative  of the government announced in the 2025 Budget, committing ₹10,000 Crores to channel  long-term  capital into early-stage,  high-potential  deeptech Startups, moving beyond traditional support to foster innovation in sunrise sectors including Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing and Robotics, Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing, Semiconductors and Space technologies, Clean Energy and Advanced Manufacturing etc. The initiative aims  at  addressing  low  private  sector  R&D  expenditure  by  providing  lowcost,  long-term  capital  and  encouraging  partnerships  between  academia, research labs, and industry to commercialize capital-intensive, high-impact innovations.

The  DTFoF  is  also  a  key  component  under  the  larger  ₹  1  Lakh  Crore Research,  Development,  and  Innovation  (RDI)  Scheme  of  DST,  aiming  to catalyse  private  sector  investment  in  deep-tech  Startups. Long-term,  lowinterest loans and equity-based risk capital will support private-sector R&D in sectors like space, bio-manufacturing, green hydrogen, quantum technologies,  advanced  materials  etc.  A  Special  Purpose  Fund  (SPF)  is being set up under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to serve as the first-level custodian. The first tranche of the RDI Fund is being allocated  to  Technology  Development  Board  (TDB)  and  BIRAC  as  second-

level  fund  managers.  By  providing  long-term,  low-interest  loans  or  equity support, the DTFoF de-risks investments for private venture capital, bridging the gap between lab research and market readiness, thus reducing reliance on foreign technology.

- (c) The  Government  had  initiated  various  Schemes,  Programmes  and Missions  including  Policy  and  Financial  Frameworks  for  creating  publicprivate  innovation  hubs  to  accelerate  the  translation  of  research  into marketable  products  through  shared  resources.  Significant  initiatives  are given in Annexure - II.
- (d) The  Ministry  implements  several  initiatives  to  increase  awareness and participation in science and technology among young people in smaller cities and rural areas, primarily through various STEM based activities and outreach programmes. The details are given in Annexure - III. These efforts collectively  aim  to  make  science  accessible,  inclusive,  and  aspirational, thereby  connecting  youth  from  smaller  towns  and  rural  regions  with technology-driven  opportunities  and  fostering  a  science-led,  innovationoriented rural ecosystem.

## 1. Department of Science and Technology (DST)

DST is implementing various Schemes and programmes for  establishment and  upgradation  of  research  facilities  for  strengthening  the  research ecosystem in the country thereby facilitating capacity building and promoting innovation in academic institutions. The details are given below:

- (a)  Fund  for  Improvement  of  S&T  Infrastructure  (FIST):  The  Scheme supports basic infrastructure and enabling facilities for promoting R&D activities  in  new  and  emerging  areas  and  attracting  fresh  talents  in universities & other educational institutions. It is considered as complimentary  support  for  enabling  Departments/  Centres/  Schools/ Colleges to pursue research activities more effectively and efficiently It was launched in 2000 under the Department of Science & Technology (DST). The duration of support for each FIST Project will be 5 years and will have 4 levels - Level-0, Level-1, Level-2, and Level-3. The programme has played a crucial role in fostering academic and research growth by providing financial support to a vast network of 3285 departments and PG  colleges  with  an  allocated  budget  of  approximately  Rs  3200.00 crores.  This  consistent  support  has  significantly  contributed  to  the advancement of scientific and technological endeavours across various universities  and  colleges,  fuelling  innovation  and  progress  in  India's educational landscape.
- (b) Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence" (PURSE): The Scheme aims to strengthen the research and development (R&D) infrastructure at universities, enabling them to conduct missionoriented  research  in  various  areas  of  Science  and  Technology  (S&T) aligned with national priorities. The scheme encourages universities to leverage their areas of strength and form specialized teams with welldefined objectives to drive research efforts. So far, 91 Universities have been supported under PURSE.
- (c)  Sophisticated  Analytical  Instrument  Facilities  (SAIF):  Fifteen  SAIF Centres were established in different parts of the country to provide the facilities  of  sophisticated  analytical  instruments  to  the  researchers  in general and specially from the institutions which do not have access to such instruments to pursue R&D activities.

- (d)  Sophisticated  Analytical  and  Technical  Help  Institutes  (SATHI) Centres: These Centres are professionally managed and offering shared access to cutting-edge S&T infrastructure under one roof. They support S&T-led innovation, start-ups, technology development, and research in emerging  areas.        So  far,  5  national-level  SATHI  facilities  have  been established at Indian Institute of  Technology, Delhi, Indian Institute of Technology,  Kharagpur,  Banaras  Hindu  University,  Varanasi,  Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad and Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani.
- (e) Support for the Upgradation, Preventive Repair, and Maintenance of Equipment (SUPREME): The programme aims to revitalize major analytical  instrumentation  facilities  established  through  DST-funded projects.  The  programme  provides  financial  support  for  the  repair, upgradation, maintenance, retrofitting, or acquisition of additional attachments to enhance the functional capabilities of existing analytical instrumentation facilities across various institutions/laboratories/academic  institutions  and  thereby  extend  the lifespan of equipment.
- (f)  Consolidation  of  University  Research  for  Innovation  and  Excellence (CURIE):  CURIE  Programme  specifically  support  women's  universities and colleges to build state-of-the-art research infrastructure and boost R&D, fostering innovation, enhancing gender equity in STEM.
- (g)  Autonomous  Institutions  (AI's):  DST  has  16  premier  autonomous research  institutions across  the  country,  which  house  world-class laboratories  with  sophisticated  equipment  and  R&D  infrastructure  for cutting-edge research and innovation in specialized areas like Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Technology, Genomics, Immunology, Quantum Computing, Nano Science and Technology, Materials, Energy etc.
- (h)  Fellowship Programmes for S&T Capacity Building: DST has several fellowship programmes  like WISE  Fellowships, INSPIRE  Internship, Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE), INSPIRE Fellowship and INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship etc for human capacity building enabling students to develop their skills and pursue opportunities in scientific research. The Anusandhan  National  Research  Foundation  (ANRF),  erstwhile  Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) also provides a wide range of

fellowship  which  had  increased  the  exposure  of  students  to  foster research and innovation in science and technology.

## 2. Department of Biotechnology (DBT)

The steps taken by DBT to improve the quality of research infrastructure and capacity building in scientific institutions to support innovation nationwide are given below:

- (a) Research Resource, Service Facility and Platform (RRSFP) Programme: The RRSFP programme of DBT identify gaps and strengthen the existing framework of research institutions and universities through the following programmes:
- (i) DBTBoost to University Interdisciplinary Life Science Departments for Education and Research Programme (DBT-BUILDER): BUILDER focuses to upgrade the post-graduate teaching and training laboratories  by  enabling  interdisciplinary  advanced  research  and teaching capacity emphasizing discovery and innovation in proposed research areas, addressing emerging technologies with interdisciplinary cross talk. In the DBT-BUILDER programme a total of 45 Universities  and  Institutes  were  supported,  comprising  9  Central University, 14 State University, and 22 Private Universities or Postgraduate  Colleges.  Across  these  institutions,  177  departments received support, with 34 in central universities, 56 in state universities, and 87 in private institutions.
- (ii)  DBT  -  Scientific  Infrastructure  Access  for  Harnessing  Academia University  Research  Joint  Collaboration  (DBT-SAHAJ):  The  primary goal  of  DBT-SAHAJ  is  to  create  'national'  service  facility/research resource/platform  to  provide  access  to  resources  that  could  not  be provided by any single researcher's laboratory or scientific department. Launched in 2018-19, the DBT-SAHAJ portal significantly enhanced  the  visibility  of  DBT-supported  facilities.  Building  on  this success, the newly developed Unified Online Portal for Utilization of Resources/Facilities  now  offers  a  centralized  system  for  booking, accessing, and monitoring DBT-funded equipment across the country. With all DBT-BRIC institutes now integrated, the platform promotes transparency,  expands  nationwide  access,  minimizes  duplication  of resources, and strengthens the foundation for a seamlessly connected national research infrastructure ecosystem.

- (b)  Biotechnology  Industry  Research  Assistance  Council  (BIRAC):  DBT through BIRAC, has undertaken multiple initiatives to strengthen research  infrastructure  and  build  national  innovation  capacity.  BIRAC has established 94 bio-incubation and pre-incubation centres across 25 States/UTs,  including  Tier  2/3  locations,  offering  shared  laboratories, equipment, mentorship, IP/regulatory support and entrepreneurship training.  Early-stage  and  translational  research  is  supported  through schemes  such  as  BIG,  SPARSH,  SEED,  LEAP,  SBIRI,  BIPP,  and  PACE, enabling proof-of-concept development, validation and commercialization.  BIRAC  has  also  strengthened  national  biopharma capabilities under the National Biopharma Mission and Ind-CEPI, supporting advanced testing facilities, immunogenicity labs, clinical trial capacity building, and Quality Management System (QMS) accreditation across key institutions.
- (c)  Fellowship  and  Associateship  Programs:  BDT  offer  a  wide  range  of fellowships to nurture scientific talent at different career stages, including the DBT-Junior Research Fellowship, Research Associateship Program  (DBT-RA  Program),  Ramalingaswami  Re-Entry  Fellowship,  and the Tata Innovation Fellowship for Capacity Building  and  Human Resource Development .Various training programs, workshops, and short-term  courses  are  conducted  to  develop  skilled  manpower  in emerging areas like clinical trials, vaccine development, and bioinformatics.

## 3. Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)

CSIR's primary effort in capacity building is the comprehensive Capacity Building  and  Human  Resource  Development  (CBHRD)  scheme  with  a substantial outlay, covering all R&D institutions and universities across India  to  expand  the  pool  of  high-quality  human  resources  in  the  S&T sector. CSIR, under its 'Capacity Building and Human Resource Development'  Scheme,  provides  doctoral  and  postdoctoral  fellowships to young budding researchers who  are guided by their research supervisors  and  principal  investigators  in  the  art  of  modern  scientific research and innovation in science and technology. These researchers are  contributing  in  the  scientific  publications,  patents,  technology, processes,  and  overall  development  of  S&T  in  the  country.  CSIR continuously  upgrades  and  modernizes  its  network  of  37  national

laboratories and an innovation complex to create an enabling infrastructure  for  cutting-edge  R&D.  Key  efforts  include  Modernization and Upgradation of Equipment, Mission Mode Projects (MMPs), Industry Collaboration and Intellectual Property (IP) Management.

## 1. Department of Science and Technology (DST)

- (a) The National Quantum Mission (NQM) promotes shared resources and accelerates  commercialization  primarily  through  the  establishment  of Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs), which foster collaboration and provide Startups with funding, mentorship, and access to national infrastructure. T-Hubs established at IISc Bengaluru, IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, and IIT Delhi act as  central  nodes  for  research,  bringing  together  researchers  from numerous institutions across India to work on key strategic areas like Quantum  Computing,  Quantum  Communication,  Quantum  Sensing  & Metrology and Quantum Materials & Devices. The strategy for resource sharing involves a "hub-and-spoke" model centered around four specialized T-Hubs. The T-Hubs are encouraged to provide Startups and other  institutions  access  to  their  specialized,  and  often  expensive, national  fabrication  and  research  facilities  on  a  reasonable  payment basis.  The  mission  provides  direct  financial  support  and  incubation opportunities  to  quantum  Startups  and  MSMEs.  By  involving  relevant user  agencies,  government,  and  private  sector  partners  at  an  early stage,  the  NQM  helps  build  confidence  in  the  products  developed  by Startups and facilitates their integration into real-world applications.
- (b)  The  National  Mission  on  Interdisciplinary  Cyber-Physical  Systems (NM-ICPS) promotes shared resources and accelerates commercialization primarily through a network of specialized Technology  Innovation  Hubs  (TIHs)  that  foster  collaboration  between academia,  industry,  and  government. Under  the  mission  25  TIHs  are established  in  reputed  academic  and  R&D  institutions  across  India, operating in a hub-and-spoke model. These hubs serve as focal points for expertise and technology inputs, making advanced facilities accessible to  a  wide  range  of  stakeholders  including  private  agencies.  Under  the mission  world-class,  shared  infrastructure  and  testbeds  for  R&D  in critical  areas  like  autonomous  navigation,  cyber  security,  and  data analytics  etc  were  developed  and  the  mission  facilitated  resource pooling and seamless sharing of resources for developing an innovation and start-up  ecosystem, providing  incubation  support,  mentorship,  and access to funding.
- (c) DST  through  National  Initiative  for  Developing  and  Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) program has extended end-to-end Startup support to nurture Startups from ideation to commercialization. It includes a variety

of program components for Startups like PRAYAS - prototyping grant for early-stage  innovative  ideas,  hand-holding  support  to  Startups  through Technology Business Incubators, seed funding and acceleration support for rapid scaling of Startup businesses.

- (d)  Five  Technical  Research  Centres  (TRCs)  established  at  SCTIMST Thiruvananthapuram, ARCI Hyderabad, JNCASR Bengaluru, IACS Kolkata and SNBNCBS Kolkata, apart from translation of research into products and  processes  for  greater  economic  and  societal  also  provide  technolegal-commercial and financial support to scientists, entrepreneurs, and business fraternity to achieve translation of research into products and processes.  TRCs  have  been  instrumental  in  providing  R&D  translation ecosystem by supporting advancements in technology readiness levels and  intellectual  properties,  streamlining  multi-stakeholder  involvement (including  industry-academia  partnerships),  technology  out-licensing, setting-up platforms for start-ups, and strengthening state-of-the-art R&D infrastructure.
- (e) Technology Enabling Centres (TECs) of DST are facilitating commercialization by creating industry-academia linkages and providing access to sophisticated equipment and analytical facilities (like SATHI centres) for researchers, Startups, and industry. TECs are also facilitating  IP  management,  prototyping,  and  industry  liaison,  thus building ecosystems for innovation and tech transfer.

## 2. Department of Biotechnology (DBT)

BIRAC promotes public-private partnership-driven innovation hubs through the BioNEST and E-YUVA schemes that co-fund incubators in academic and private  institutions,  enabling  shared  access  to  high-end  resources  and accelerating commercialization. BIRAC is expanding a national network of Biofoundries,  Bio-AI  Hubs,  and  Biomanufacturing  Hubs  under  the  BioE3 framework  to  support  rapid  technology  development  and  scale-up.  The recently  launched  BIRAC-EDGE  Centres  further  strengthen  public-private innovation linkages for commercialization support, internationalisation, and ecosystem development, with special focus on emerging and  underserved regions.

## 3. Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)

CSIR  has established a world-class Innovation Complex  (CSIR-IC) at Mumbai, to bridge the translational gaps of the technologies and products

by  providing  high-end  scientific  infrastructure,  expertise  and  regulatory support to the stakeholders and fully equipped and ready-to-move incubation  labs  and  business-development  support  to  the  stakeholders (start-ups,  MSMEs,  deep-tech  companies,  CSIR  and  other  public-funded research  institutions)  in  the  sectors  like  healthcare,  chemicals,  food  & nutraceuticals, materials, energy and other relevant areas.

## 1. Department of Science and Technology (DST)

- (a) National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) under DST has several programmes to create awareness and boost the participation of youth in science  and  technology, especially from smaller  cities  and  rural  areas.  NCSTC  has  programs  like  the  National Children's  Science  Congress  (NCSC)  for  hands-on  learning,  AWSAR  for popular  science  writing  by  young  researchers  and  STEM  outreach activities  like Vigyan  Utsav,  fostering  critical  thinking,  innovation,  and career interest via project-based learning and community focus, reaching rural students significantly.  NCSTC  focuses  on outreach activities  and  also  organises  science  fairs/melas,  aimed  at  sparking curiosity,  promoting  scientific  temper,  and  making  S&T  accessible  to youth through interactive, community-focused and multimedia approach.
- (b)  INSPIRE-MANAK (Million Minds  Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge) boosts youth engagement  in S&T  by identifying and nurturing original ideas from students through school-level competitions, offering financial rewards and mentoring for prototype development, and providing exposure via district, state, and national exhibitions, ultimately  fostering  innovation,  problem-solving,  and  potential  STEM careers by connecting them with institutions and real-world challenges.
- (c) Scheme for Young Scientists & Technologists (SYST) supports young scientists  and  technologists  in  undertaking  socially  relevant  research, often with a focus on applying findings in real-world settings. It aims to develop  S&T  solutions  for  socio-economic  challenges  in  marginalized communities.
- (d)  State  Science  &  Technology  Programme  provides  funding  to  State S&T Councils which run state-specific initiatives like student projects, IPR  workshops,  and  setting  up  virtual  classrooms  in  rural  schools  to encourage  youth  in  rural  settings  and  tier  2  and  tier  3  cities  towards science and technology and create scientific temper.

## 2. Department of Biotechnology (DBT)

- (a)  DBT  Star  College  Programme  create  awareness  and  facilitate participation  in  science  among  students  from  rural  areas  by  improving laboratory infrastructure, enabling hands-on experimental learning, and enhancing the quality of undergraduate science teaching. The

Programme encourage colleges in remote regions to conduct outreach activities  such  as  school  visits,  science  demonstrations,  and  local science fairs, thereby exposing students to scientific ideas at an early stage.  By  fostering  critical  thinking,  practical  learning,  and  interaction with  trained  faculty,  the  Programme  motivated  more  rural  students  to pursue higher education and careers in science and technology.

- (b)  Several  initiatives  are  being  undertaken  under  Biotech-KISAN  and Biotech-based Societal Development Programme to enhance awareness and  participation  of  youth  in  science  and  technology  in  smaller  cities and rural areas. The key strategies include:
- (i)  KVK-led  training  and  demonstrations  that  expose  rural  youth  to practical  biotechnology  solutions  in  crops,  livestock,  and  fisheries, thereby strengthening hands-on learning.
- (ii)  Farmer  fellowships  and  entrepreneurship  programmes,  with  a special  focus  on  rural  youth  and  women,  to  encourage  grassroots innovation and livelihood generation through science-based interventions.
- (iii) Digital outreach tools such as WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages, YouTube channels, and mobile applications that disseminate scientific  advisories,  package  of  practices,  and  success  stories, ensuring wider and faster access to knowledge.
- (iv)  Collaboration  with  community  institutions  like  Farmer  Producer Organizations (FPOs) and farm schools to nurture collective innovation and promote peer learning among young people.
- (v) Promotion of success stories-for example, the registration of Abu Saunf-440 fennel under PPV&FRA-which serve as real-life models to inspire  rural  youth  to  view  themselves  as  future  innovators  and biotechnology practitioners.
- (c)  To  enhance  participation  of  youth  from  Tier  2/3  cities  and  rural regions, BIRAC has supported a large proportion of incubation and preincubation  centres  outside  metros.  Schemes  such  as  E-YUVA  provide structured fellowships, mentorship and access to facilities for students across  25  States/UTs.  BIRAC's  outreach  programmes,  including  the National Biotech Entrepreneurship Challenge (NBEC), regional innovation centres, and  skill development  initiatives in the North-East,  have engaged thousands of students and early innovators. Funding schemes

like  BIG,  SEED  and  LEAP  have  significantly  supported  early-stage innovators  in  non-metro  regions,  strengthening  grassroots  innovation participation nationwide.

## 3. Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)

Several  measures  have  been  taken  by  CSIR  to  increase  awareness  and participation  in  science  and  technology  among  young  people  besides encouraging Stakeholders to utilize the research findings of CSIR laboratories/ institutes. CSIR reaches students and youth in rural areas and small towns and cities through social media where CSIR and its laboratories maintain their social networking pages such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn for  dissemination  of  successful  accomplishment  of  technologies/products for creating curiosity among youth on S&T. From time to time, based on the need of the hour, CSIR also organizes various webinar series and programmes like One Week One Lab (OWOL), One Week One Theme (OWOT) to  showcase  success  stories  of  CSIR  in  different  streams  of  science  and technology with an aim to create awareness and popularisation of science among  masses  and  rural  students. CSIR  has  also been  engaged  in connecting school students with scientists through its 'Jigyasa' (studentscientist  connect)  program.  The  programme  envisages  opening  up  the CSIR's national scientific facilities to school  children,  enabling  CSIR scientific  knowledgebase  and  facility  to  be  utilized  by  school  children  to instill 'Scientific Thinking' in the young minds.

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