Lok Sabha Question No. 785 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: NEST Cluster
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: Shri Yogender Chandolia

## Government of India

## Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 785

To be answered on

Wednesday, February 04, 2026/Magha 15, 1947 (Saka)

## QUESTION

## NEST Cluster

## 785. Shri Yogender Chandolia:

Will the Minister of DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION be pleased to state:

- (a) the details regarding the establishment of the North East Science and Technology Cluster (NEST) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati;
- (b) the specific objectives and key components of the NEST Cluster; and
- (c) whether any collaborations with academic institutions, industry partners, central research bodies and start-ups have been formalised as part of the NEST Cluster's implementation and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## The Minister of State of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region [Dr. Sukanta Majumdar]

- (a) A  project  for  establishment  of  North  Eastern  Science  &  Technology  Cluster (NEST) for promoting research, innovation and skill development was sanctioned at a cost  of ₹ 22.98  crore  on  4 th July,  2025  for  funding  under  Schemes  of  North  Eastern Council,  Ministry  of  Development  of  North  Eastern  Region  and  for  implementation  by the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati for a duration of five years.

The project is designed to operate through four thematic verticals, selected based on emerging technologies, regional needs, and future growth potential:

- i.  Innovation Hub on Grassroot Technologies;
- ii.  Technology Hub for Semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence;
- iii.  Centre of Excellence for Innovation in Bamboo-Based  Technology, Entrepreneurial Promotion & Skill Development; and
- iv.  Skill  Development  and  Innovation  Centre  on  Biodegradable  and  Ecofriendly Plastics
5. (b) The specific objectives of the NEST clusters include:
6. (i) Empowerment  of  young  people  in  the  North  Eastern  Region  (NER)  with emphasis on SC, ST, women, and Divyangjan to consider self-employment or entrepreneurship among the career options.
7. (ii) Promotion of new enterprises by handholding from ideation to commercialization,  capacity  building  of  existing  MSMEs  and  inculcating entrepreneurial culture in the NER in priority areas.
8. (iii) Providing assistance to the training of youth and institutions through Hub and Spoke model throughout NER by providing Research and Innovation support for creation/ strengthening  of infrastructure  and  support  for  conducting training-cum-enterprise ecosystem.
9. (iv) Strengthening the existing grassroot practices through scientific interventions by their standardization and certification and using approach of industry 4.0 to make efficient product and process commercialization.

The key components of the Project include:

- Training Programs for technology creation and start-ups;
- Incubation and Tinkering Laboratories;
- Technology transfer, commercialization and product marketing support; and
- Development  of enabling infrastructure for research, innovation and skill development.

(c) The  NEST  cluster  essentially  works  as  a  hub  and  spoke  model  to  connect academia,  industry,  research  and  Govt.  agencies  to  promote  R&D  interventions  to reach  the  common  man  through  skill  development  and  entrepreneur  development  of rural  youth  and  women.  Institutions  so  far  identified to  act  as  'Spokes' include:North East Cane & Bamboo Development Council, Assam; North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Arunachal Pradesh; Eight  National Institutes of Technology (NITs)  at  Agartala,  Meghalaya,  Manipur,  Silchar,  Mizoram,  Nagaland,  Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim as well as Indian Institute of Management, Shillong; Indian Institute of  Information  Technology,  Guwahati;  Tezpur  University,  Assam;  Council  of  Scientific and Industrial Research, North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat; Indian Institute of Information Technology, Senapati, Manipur; and  Central Institute of Technology, Kokrajhar.

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