Date: 2026-01-01Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Department of Science & Technology (DST) has established 15 Inclusive Technology Business Incubators (i-TBI) across universities and higher educational institutions in different parts of the country, aimed at democratising innovation and entrepreneurship beyond metropolitan centres: Dr Jitendra Singh
**Executive Summary**
The Department of Science & Technology (DST) has established 15 Inclusive Technology Business Incubators (i-TBI) across India, aiming to boost innovation and entrepreneurship beyond metropolitan areas. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh visited the DST-backed i-TBI at Delhi Technological University (DTU) on January 1, 2026, to review its functioning and impact. During the visit, Dr. Singh lauded the university-led startup outcomes and reiterated the government's commitment to supporting university-based innovation ecosystems.
**Key Points / Main Content**
*Inclusive Technology Business Incubators (i-TBI)*
* DST has established 15 i-TBIs across universities and higher educational institutions.
* These incubators are aimed at democratising innovation and entrepreneurship outside of major metropolitan areas.
* DTU houses one of the 15 DST-supported i-TBIs.
* The DTU i-TBI focuses on translating academic ideas into market-ready solutions, with a special emphasis on inclusivity and women-led innovation.
*DTU i-TBI Performance and Support*
* DTU i-TBI has already incubated 15 startups.
* Three DTU startups received ₹5 lakh Startup Ignition Grants each under the DST-NIDHI framework.
* The grants are intended to help startups move from idea to prototype and early commercialisation.
* The DTU i-TBI operates under the DTU Innovation and Incubation Foundation.
* The incubator provides comprehensive handholding, from ideation and prototyping to product development and market access.
*Government Policy and Vision*
* The government prioritises science, technology, and innovation, viewing India as a technology creator.
* Universities are encouraged to evolve as hubs of innovation and entrepreneurship, engaging with industry and diversifying funding sources.
* The government aims to ensure that innovation opportunities reach smaller towns and aspirational districts.
**Impact Analysis**
**Universities and Higher Educational Institutions**
* **Impact:** Encouraged to actively engage with industry and diversify funding sources.
* **Action Required:** Leverage government schemes like FIST, PURSE, and NIDHI to strengthen research and innovation capabilities.
**Startups and Innovators**
* **Impact:** Access to incubation, funding, and comprehensive support for developing innovative solutions.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the resources offered by the i-TBIs to translate ideas into commercially viable products.
**DST and Government**
* **Impact:** Strengthened university-based innovation ecosystems and tangible outcomes in research, startups, and societal impact.
* **Action Required:** Continued support to institutions that effectively utilise public funds to generate tangible outcomes.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Science & Technology (DST): The primary department funding and establishing the Inclusive Technology Business Incubators.
Inclusive Technology Business Incubators (i-TBI): The core program being implemented across universities and higher educational institutions to democratise innovation and entrepreneurship.
National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI): The broader program under which the i-TBI program is established.
Delhi Technological University (DTU): A university hosting one of the DST-supported Inclusive Technology Business Incubators. Specific location where the i-TBI facility was inspected.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Department of Science & Technology (DST) has
established 15 Inclusive Technology Business
Incubators (i-TBI) across universities and higher
educational institutions in different parts of the
country, aimed at democratising innovation and
entrepreneurship beyond metropolitan centres:
Dr Jitendra Singh
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh reviews DST-backed
Inclusive Technology Business Incubator at Delhi
Technological University, lauds university-led startup
outcomes
Government strengthening university innovation ecosystem
through Inclusive Technology Business Incubators, says Dr.
Jitendra Singh
Three DTU startups receive ₹5 lakh Startup Ignition Grants
under DST’s Inclusive Technology Business Incubator
DTU houses one of the 15 DST-supported Inclusive
Technology Business Incubators set up in universities
nationwide
प्रव तथ: 01 JAN 2026 7:34PM by PIB Delhi
Department of Science & Technology (DST) has established 15 Inclusive Technology Business Incubators
(i-TBI) across universities and higher educational institutions in different parts of the country, aimed at
democratising innovation and entrepreneurship beyond metropolitan centres.
This was disclosed here today by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science &
Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions,
Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, during a visit to the Delhi Technological University (DTU)
to review the functioning and impact of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) supported
Inclusive Technology Business Incubator (i-TBI) established under the National Initiative for Developing
and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) programme.During the visit, the Minister physically inspected the i-TBI facility at DTU to assess the extent to which
the incubator is being utilised for innovation, research and startup development. Interacting with faculty
members, student innovators and startup founders, Dr Jitendra Singh complimented the university for
effectively leveraging the DST support to nurture a vibrant startup ecosystem within the academic
campus.
The Minister noted that while DST has established 15 Inclusive Technology Business Incubators across
the country, one of them is in the Delhi Technological University (DTU). The DTU i-TBI is one such
incubator that is playing a meaningful role in translating academic ideas into market-ready solutions,
particularly with a focus on inclusivity and women-led innovation.
Dr Jitendra Singh expressed satisfaction that the DTU i-TBI has already incubated 15 startups, reflecting
the growing entrepreneurial capability within the university ecosystem. On the occasion, three startups
were provided Startup Ignition Grants of ₹5 lakh each under the DST-NIDHI framework to help them
move from idea to prototype and early commercialisation. He emphasised that such grants are catalytic in
nature and are designed to encourage risk-taking and innovation among young entrepreneurs.
Highlighting the larger policy vision, the Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, science, technology and innovation have been accorded unprecedented priority over the
last decade. He underlined that India is no longer a passive consumer of technology but is emerging as a
technology creator, with structured support systems spanning the entire innovation lifecycle — from
research infrastructure and academic excellence to incubation, startups and industry collaboration.
Dr Jitendra Singh also stressed the importance of universities evolving as hubs of innovation and
entrepreneurship, rather than remaining confined to conventional teaching and research roles. He
encouraged academic institutions to actively engage with industry, attract private investment and diversify
funding sources, while leveraging government schemes such as FIST, PURSE and NIDHI to strengthen
their research and innovation capabilities.
Referring to the broader national innovation ecosystem, the Minister said that the government has created
enabling frameworks to ensure that innovation opportunities reach smaller towns and aspirational districts
as well. He observed that transparency, merit-based selection and inclusive outreach have helped build
confidence among young innovators across the country, resulting in a democratisation of both scientific
capability and aspiration.
The DST-supported i-TBI at DTU operates under the DTU Innovation and Incubation Foundation and
focuses on nurturing knowledge-based startups, with special emphasis on women entrepreneurs. The
incubator provides comprehensive handholding, from ideation and prototyping to product development
and market access, supported by modern infrastructure, mentoring and access to funding support.
Concluding his visit, Dr Jitendra Singh reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening
university-based innovation ecosystems and assured continued support to institutions that demonstrate
effective utilisation of public funds to generate tangible outcomes in research, startups and societal impact.*****
NKR/AK
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इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही