Parliament Question: Assistance to institutions in Bihar

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 217 ANSWERED ON 12.03.2026 ASSISTANCE TO INSTITUTIONS IN BIHAR 217. Shri Akhilesh Prasad Singh: Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has reviewed the research funding and laboratory infrastructure in universities and research institutions in Bihar; (b) the details of financial assistance provided to institutions in Patna under various science and technology schemes during the last three years; (c) whether innovation, incubation and industry–academia collaboration initiatives have been promoted; and (d) the steps taken to strengthen research capacity, encourage innovation and retain scientific talent in the State? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH) (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. Page 1STATEMENT AS REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 217 FOR 12.03.2026 REGARDING “ASSISTANCE TO INSTITUTIONS IN BIHAR” (a) The S&T departments through various schemes/ programmes are promoting research, innovation and human resource development in the universities/ institutions located in Bihar State (b) DBT supports R&D across country through its scheme ‘Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio- RIDE)’ and the details of financial support provided to Institutions in Patna under the scheme in the last three years is given in the Table 1, Annexure I. DST has supported 09 STEM departments at IIT, Patna and NIT Patna under the FIST scheme i.e Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in Universities and Higher Educational Institutions. Total Fund allocations under the FIST programme to Institutions in Patna , Bihar is given at Table 2, Annexure I. Further, DST has established a NIDHI Technology Business Incubator (NIDHI-TBI) at Indian Institute of Technology, Patna; and a NIDHI Inclusive Technology Business Incubator (NIDHI-iTBI) at All India Institute of Medical Sciences Patna (AIIMS, Patna) to support and nurture innovations and startups, details for which are given at Table 3, Annexure I Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) call for proposals under the various schemes/ programs nationwide & selection of project is done on the basis of merit. The funds allocated for the R&D projects in various Institutions of Patna under the several ANRF schemes/programs in the last three years from FY 2022-23 to FY 2024-25 and current FY 2025- 26 is given in the Table 4, Annexure I. (c) & (d) DSIR is undertaking a scheme for registration of Public Funded Research Institutions, Universities, IITs, IISc Bangalore, Regional Engineering colleges for promoting research & innovation in these Institutions by means of providing custom duty exemption on import of R&D equipment, spares, accessories and consumables used for research under the main Notification No.51/96-Customs dated 23.07.1996 which has been amended by Ministry of Finance from time to time with the latest amended Notification No. 45/2025-Customs dated 24.10.2025. This is an indirect method of supporting the R&D ecosystem in the country, leveraging activities for the sponsored projects in the universities/ Institutions for supporting innovation and industry- academia collaboration. The National research Laboratories/ Institutions/ Universities registered with DSIR have been able to support creation of advanced infrastructure for R&D / capacity Page 2building of scientists and researchers in the field of higher education and research. The list of PFRIs registered with DSIR in the state of Bihar is given at Table 5, Annexure II. Also, DSIR through its schemes (i) Building Industrial Research & Development and Common Research Facility (BIRD-crf) and (ii) Patent Acquisition and Collaborative Research & Technology Development (PACE) endeavours to encourage private sector participation, strengthen public– private partnerships, and promote industry–academia collaboration in research and development. The BIRD-crf scheme supports the creation and establishment of CRTDHs (Common Research Technology Development Hubs) to address problem statements of industry, MSMEs and undertakes pilot-scale testing and validation for technology refinement. The PACE scheme operates in synergy through a structured grant-and-loan funding mechanism to enable risk sharing and enhance private sector investment in collaborative R&D projects. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), an autonomous organization with DSIR, through its constituent laboratories/institutes, collaborates with academia and industry for R&D in areas of mutual interest and complementary expertise. Dedicated Business Development Groups (BDGs) are functioning at the laboratory level as well as at CSIR Headquarters for liaising with academia and industry to facilitate collaborative research, including adoption/access of the technologies and products developed by CSIR. Startup conclaves and workshops are also organised to facilitate networking with the startups. Further, CSIR, through incubation centres established in few of its constituent laboratories, provides support to startups, including comprehensive scientific assistance for R&D, prototyping facilities, use of R&D equipment for analytical measurements, mentoring/advisory/consulting services, IP support and capacity building for navigating challenges in the path of R&D and innovation. Department of Science and Technology (DST) has established a Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Advanced Wear and Corrosion Resistance Coatings Development and Commercialization in India through its Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AMT) Program at IIT Patna. This CoE is equipped with the state-of the-art thermal spray technologies, including High-Velocity Oxy- Fuel (HVOF), High-Velocity Air-Fuel (HVAF) systems and a plasma spray system for developing advanced coatings. The facility also houses advanced characterization equipment such as a 3D optical profilometer, Electrochemical work station, micro-indentation tester and ball-on- disc tribometer enabling fabrication, testing, and performance evaluation of wear and corrosion- resistant coatings. The CoE has been strategically positioned to support Bihar’s agricultural sector and MSMEs by developing coatings for agricultural tools, machinery and industrial components. Page 3Efforts are ongoing to fabricate wear and corrosion-resistant coatings tailored for local needs, thereby contributing to regional industries and rural development. Through various programs under the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI), the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has established a network of Technology Business Incubators across the country, which provide end-to-end support to innovators, entrepreneurs and startups such as scientific infrastructure, mentoring, funding and market access to startups. For academic and research institutions, programs such as NIDHI Technology Business Incubator (TBI), NIDHI Inclusive Technology Business Incubator (iTBI) and NIDHI Centre of Excellence provide OpEx and CapEx support for setting up of Startup Incubators. NIDHI also includes a variety of components like NIDHI PRAYAS (for early-stage funding and mentoring), NIDHI EiR, NIDHI Seed Support (Seed funding to startups), and NIDHI Accelerator, for mentoring and funding of innovators and startups at different stages of their startups journey. Further, DST has implemented the following schemes, the objectives of which, at large, are establishment of research facilities and upgradation of research facilities in academic institutions oriented towards creation of a self- reliant India. These schemes are being implemented in a competitive manner and strengthening the research ecosystem in the country. (i) The Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in Universities and Higher Educational Institutions (FIST) programme facilitates support towards augmenting basic infrastructural facilities for conducting quality research in basic and applied sciences in the STEM Departments in the Universities, Higher Educational Institutions and postgraduate colleges in competitive mode. Under FIST Scheme, in the last four years, 13 STEM departments in three academic institutions (IIT, Patna, NIT, Patna and Central University of South Bihar, Gaya) were supported in the State of Bihar. (ii) The Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) scheme aims to strengthen the research and development (R&D) infrastructure at universities, enabling them to conduct mission-oriented 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 well-defined objectives to drive research efforts. Central University of South Bihar, Gaya is one of the beneficiaries under PURSE. Page 4(iii) Fifteen Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facilities (SAIF) were established in different parts of the country including one at IIT, Patna; 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. Department of Biotechnology has implemented programmes to strengthen research capacity, encourage innovation and retain scientific talent in the State. DBT supports innovation, incubation and industry-academia collaboration through open ended and call-based invitation of proposals under the Bio- RIDE scheme. To establish infrastructure facilities to support R&D, the Research Resource Service Facility and Platform (RRSFP) programme is being implemented through (a) DBT- Boost to University Interdisciplinary Life Science Departments for Education and Research Programme; (DBT-BUILDER) – to upgrade the post- graduate teaching and training laboratories by enabling advanced interdisciplinary research and teaching and (b) DBT - Scientific Infrastructure Access for Harnessing Academia University Research Joint Collaboration (DBT-SAHAJ) – to create “national” service facility/research resource/platform to provide access to resources. Under the Bio incubators Nurturing Entrepreneurship for Scaling Technologies (BioNEST) scheme, the biotechnology incubation centre established at the Indian Institute of Technology, Patna serves as a platform for collaboration among academic researchers, startups and industry and provides access to shared laboratory facilities, industry mentoring, and technology networking. Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), being a national funding agency call for proposals under the various schemes/ programs nationwide. ANRF has launched several programs like 2D Innovation Hub, EV-Mission, MedTech Mission, Artificial Intelligence for Science & Engineering (AI-SE), CRM Research Program etc. under its Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas (MAHA) to facilitate industry-academia partnerships, incubation ecosystems and multi-stage engagement models to accelerate the growth and commercialization of deep tech ventures in the country. In addition, the Government has launched the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme with a corpus of Rs. 1 lakh crore to support the emerging and sunrise sectors. Department of Science and Technology (DST) through its Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) scheme aims to attract meritorious youth to study basic and natural sciences at the college and university level and to pursue research career in both basic and Page 5applied sciences including engineering, medicine, agriculture and veterinary sciences. The ultimate aim is to expand the R&D base of the country. Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) aims to enhance the rate of attachment of talented youth to undertake higher education in science intensive programs by providing scholarships and mentoring through summer attachment with leading researchers. The scheme offers 12,000 (10,000 Direct Mode + 2000 Institutional Mode) Scholarships every year @ Rs 0.80 lakh per year for 5 years for undertaking Bachelor and Masters level education in natural and basic sciences for the talented youth in the age group 17-22 years. INSPIRE Fellowship is offered to students having secured 1st Rank in Basic & Applied Sciences including engineering, medicine, agriculture, veterinary at the University/ academic institute of national importance i.e. IITs, NITs, IISERs level examination as well as Inspire Scholars having secure 70% marks in aggregate at the MSc level who are eligible for admission to the PhD Program in any recognized university/ academic institutions in the country. The Fellowships are tenable for maximum 5 years (2 years as JRF and 3 years as SRF) or completion of PhD, whichever is earlier to pursue full-time PhD program. The Fellowship amount including the contingencies is equivalent to CSIR-UGC NET Fellowship and is governed time to time as per GoI norms & regulations. At present, each fellow shall receive Rs 37,000/- per month + admissible HRA based on Host Institute city + 20,000 annual contingency as JRF and Rs. 42,000/- per month + admissible HRA based on Host Institute city + 20,000 annual contingency as SRF. INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship provides opportunities to the post- doctoral researchers in the age group of 27-32 years for 5 years in both basic and applied sciences including engineering, agriculture, veterinary and medicine. The upper age limit as on 1st January of the year of advertisement for General category applicants is 32 years. However, the upper age limit for SC/ST/Women candidates will be 37 years. For persons with bench mark disability the upper age limit is 42 years. Each fellow shall receive fellowship of Rs 1,25,000/- per month with an annual increment of Rs. 2000/- and Rs 35 lakh (at the rate of Rs 7.0 lakh per year) of Research Grant for 5 years. Page 6The number of beneficiaries (Institutions) and financial assistance received under INSPIRE Programme in Bihar State and Patna during the last three years is given at Table 6 and Table 7, Annexure III. The National Fellowship Programmes of the DBT provide financial support at various levels to students and researchers for developing and maintaining a pool of skilled human resources in the frontier areas of biotechnology such as DBT Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) programme; DBT Research Associateship (DBT- RA) programme; Tata Innovation Fellowship; Har Gobind Khorana-Innovative Young Biotechnologist Fellowship (IYBF); Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship (DBT-RRF) Programme; M K Bhan-Young Researchers Fellowship Programme; and Biotechnology Career Advancement & Re-orientation (BioCARe). Fellowships Programs implemented in Bihar state under HRD is given at Table 8, Annexure IV. * * * * * * * Page 7Annexure I Table 1: Details of Financial Support Received by Institutions in Patna under the Bio- RIDE scheme of Department of Biotechnology Institute/Organization Financial Assistance (in Rs.) 2023-24 Bihar Veterinary College, Patna 8,30,582.00 2024-25 All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 2,00,69,510.00 Bihar Veterinary College, Patna 7,52,460.00 National Institute of Technology, Patna 10,36,590.00 2025-26 Bihar Veterinary College, Patna 14,79,920.00 Indian Institute of Technology, Patna 9,33,200.00 Table 2: Total Fund allocations under the FIST programme of DST to Institutions in Patna, Bihar S. Name of Name of Institute Name State Total No. the Department Allocation Program (in Lakhs) 1 FIST Department of Indian Institute of Bihar 103.00 Mathematics Technology, Patna 2 FIST Civil and Indian Institute of Bihar 96.00 Environmental Technology, Patna Engineering 3 FIST Department of Indian Institute of Bihar 354.00 Chemistry Technology, Patna 4 FIST Electrical Indian Institute of Bihar 178.00 Engineering Technology, Patna 5 FIST Mechanical National Institute of Bihar 115.00 Engineering Technology, Patna 6 FIST Department of National Institute of Bihar 220.00 Chemistry Technology, Patna 7 FIST Department of National Institute of Bihar 195.00 Physics Technology, Patna 8 FIST Department of National Institute of Bihar 82.00 Electrical Technology, Patna Engineering 9 FIST Department of National Institute of Bihar 352.00 Electronics and Technology, Patna Communication Engineering Page 8Annexure I Continued. Table 3: NIDHI Technology Business Incubator (NIDHI-TBI) in Patna, Bihar S.N Sanctioned Amount Programme Name Name of Host Institution City/State o. amount released NIDHI Technology Indian Institute of Patna, Rs.10,03,00,000 Rs. 5,55,59,158 1 Business Incubator Technology, Patna Bihar (NIDHI-TBI) NIDHI Inclusive All India Institute of Patna, Rs. 4,82,50,000 Rs. 2,31,00,000 Technology Business Medical Sciences Patna Bihar 2 Incubator (NIDHI- (AIIMS, Patna) iTBI) Table 4: Funds allocated for the R&D projects in various Institutions of Patna under the several ANRF schemes/programs from FY 2022-23 to FY 2024-25 and current FY 2025-26 Total Funds allocated City Schemes/Programs (₹ in crore) Core Research Grant 12.17 Empowerment and Equity Opportunities for 1.86 Excellence in Science Inclusivity Research Grant 2.32 MATRICS 0.59 Patna National Post Doctoral Fellowship (N-PDF) 0.76 Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant 2.54 SERB-POWER Grant 1.56 Start-up Research Grant 2.31 State University Research Excellence (SERB SURE) 0.22 Page 9Annexure II Table 5: The list of PFRIs registered with DSIR in the state of Bihar Sl. University/ Institution No. 1. Bihar Agricultural University Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar 2. Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, Bihar 3. Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Bihar 4. ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region ICAR Parisar, P.O. Bihar Veterinary College, Patna, Bihar 5. Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Agamkuan, Patna, Bihar 6. Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bihar 7. Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar 8. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Vaishali, Bihar Page 10Annexure III Table 6: The number of beneficiaries (Institutions) and financial assistance received under DST INSPIRE Programme in Bihar State during the last three years No of Beneficiaries (Institutions) in Bihar State FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 FY 2025-26* NS o. . m a r g o r P f o .o N s e i r a i c i f e n e B) s n o i t u t i t s n I t n u o m Ad e s r u b s i D f o .o Ns e i r a i c i f e n e B ) s n o i t u t i t s n I t n u o m A d e s r u b s i D f o .o Ns e i r a i c i f e n e B ) s n o i t u t i t s n I t n u o m A n i d e s r u b s i D5 2 0 2 .Y 6 .F2 - ( ( ( INSPIRE- 1 Scholarship for 484 4,25,40,000 432 3,66,60,000 398 3,65,40,000 Higher Education INSPIRE 18 13 17 2 78,81,188 72,81,945 90,92,007 Fellowship (4) (4) (7) INSPIRE Faculty 2 4 3 1 (1) 22,00,000 26,78,380 47,50,735 Fellowship (1) (1) *as on January 2026 Table 7: The number of beneficiaries (Institutions) and financial assistance received under DST INSPIRE Programme in Patna during the last three years No of Beneficiaries (Institutions) in Patna FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 FY 2025-26* S N o . m a r g o r P f o .o N s e i r a i c i f e n e B) s n o i t u t i t s n I t n u o m Ad e s r u b s i D f o .o Ns e i r a i c i f e n e B ) s n o i t u t i t s n I t n u o m A d e s r u b s i D f o .o Ns e i r a i c i f e n e B ) s n o i t u t i t s n I t n u o m A n i d e s r u b s i D5 2 0 2 .Y 6 .F2 - ( ( ( INSPIRE- 1. Scholarship for 22 15,00,000 17 15,00,000 14 11,40,000 Higher Education INSPIRE 16 10 10 2 70,98,289 48,36,602 56,93,877 Fellowship (3) (3) (3) INSPIRE Faculty 1 2 4 3 22,00,000 26,78,380 47,50,735 Fellowship (1) (1) (1) *as on January 2026 Page 11Annexure IV Table 8: Fellowships Programs implemented in Bihar state by DBT under HRD Fellowships Financial Name of Institute supported No. of Programs Year fellows supported BioCARe 2019-20 All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 1 PG Teaching 2017-18 Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural 14 Program University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar 2018-19 Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural 14 University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar 2019-20 Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural 10 University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar 2023-24 Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, Bihar 9 2024-25 Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, Bihar 18 Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural 9 University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar DBT- 2017-18 Kisan College, Sohsarai Biharsharif, Nalanda, 1 Ramlingaswami Patilaputra University Bihar Re-entry 2018-19 Kisan College, Sohsarai Biharsharif, Nalanda, 1 Fellowship Patilaputra University Bihar Program DBT-RA Program 2022-23 Central University of South Bihar, Gaya 1 Indian Institute of Technology, Patna 1 2023-24 Central University of South Bihar, Gaya 1 Indian Institute of Technology, Patna 1 Rajendra Memorial Institute of Medical 1 Sciences, Agamkuan, Patna 2024-25 Central University of South Bihar, Gaya 1 Rajendra Memorial Institute of Medical 1 Sciences, Agamkuan, Patna DBT-Junior 2022-23 C entral University of South Bihar, Gaya 2 Research Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural Fellowship University, Pusa, Samastipur Program 2023-24 P atna University 6 Central University of South Bihar, Gaya Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa 2024-25 C entral University of South Bihar, Gaya 7 Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa Patna University Page 12