Lok Sabha Question No. 3016 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Science and Technology (S&T) Programme
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Khagen Murmu, Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram, Shri Nalin Soren, Shri Tapir Gao, Shri Manoj Tiwari, Shri Pradeep Kumar Singh, Shri Jugal Kishore, Shri Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor, Smt. Aparajita Sarangi, Dr. Rajesh Mishra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3016

ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (S&T) PROGRAMME

3016. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

SHRI NALIN SOREN:

SHRI TAPIR GAO:

SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR SINGH:

SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:

SHRI JASWANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR:

SMT. APARAJITA SARANGI:

DR. RAJESH MISHRA:

SHRI KHAGEN MURMU:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  progress  made  under  the  Science  and  Technology  (S&T) programme initiated in the year 2025 for research and development funding in the fields  of  geosciences,  mineral  exploration,  mining  technology  and  conservation including the status of the online proposal management system;
- (b) the details of the commercial technologies developed along with the manner in which their potential use is likely to be ensured in tribal-dominated areas such as the Dahod Lok Sabha Constituency; and
- (c) whether there is any proposal to strengthen the innovation chain and increase the funding and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY)

(a):  The  Ministry  of  Mines  provides  financial  support  under  the  Research  & Development  (R&D)  component  and  S&T-PRISM  (Promotion  of  Research  & Innovation in Startups and MSMEs) component of the Science and Technology (S&T) Programme for undertaking R&D projects in mining, mineral processing, metallurgical technologies,  mineral  beneficiation,  and  recycling.  The  funding  is  extended  to academic  institutions,  universities,  R&D  institutions  recognised  by  Department  of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), start-ups, and MSMEs. In 2025-26, under the  R&D  component,  42  projects  from  academic  institutions,  universities,  national institutes, and R&D institutions have been approved for funding amounting to ₹22.12

crore. Further, under the S&T-PRISM component in 2025-26, 06 projects have been approved with financial support of ₹7.58 crore. The SATYABHAMA  portal (https://research.mines.gov.in/) facilitates  end-to-end  online  management of project proposals under the S&T Programme.

(b): In respect of R&D projects between FY 2019-20 to FY 2023-24, 16 technologies were  developed  or  identified  as  worthy  of  adoption  by  industry  for  deployment anywhere in the country as per requirement.

(c):  The  Ministry  of  Mines has recognised nine premier institutes in the country as Centres of Excellence (CoEs) under the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM) to undertake  focused  research  and  development  (R&D)  for  strengthening  domestic capabilities across the critical mineral value chain. In line with 'Whole of Government' approach, the recognized CoEs under NCMM are eligible to seek financial support for specific R&D projects from any R&D scheme of the Government.

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