**Executive Summary**
The document is a response to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha regarding the establishment of Rural Science Outreach & Innovation Labs in Odisha, to be answered on December 17, 2025. It details initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Science and Technology and related organizations to promote scientific literacy and innovation in Odisha. The report outlines specific projects, funding, and collaborations aimed at enhancing scientific temperament among school children and communities in rural and underserved regions of the state.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Rural Science Outreach & Innovation Labs:**
* CSIR-IMMT is contributing to S&T interventions in the Nabrangpur aspirational district.
* No proposals were received for setting up Atal Tinkering Labs under Atal Innovation Mission of Niti Aayog during FY 2023-24 and 2024-25.
* **Scientific Temperament & Innovation Initiatives:**
* CSIR-IMMT is engaging school students through the "Jigyasa" program.
* NCSTC (DST, MOST) is popularizing STI among students aged 10-17 via the National Children Science Congress (NCSC).
* NITI Aayog has set up 331 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in Odisha, with Rs. 43.36 crores disbursed.
* **Community-Based Innovation Programs:**
* The Technology Development and Utilization Programme for Women (TDUPW) under the A2k+ scheme aims to empower women through technology adoption and training.
* DSIR has established a Common Research and Technology Development Hub (CRTDH) at CSIR-IMMT Bhubaneswar.
* CSIR is running an "Integrated Skill Initiative" and has conducted skill development training programs.
* DST is undertaking programs to enhance scientific literacy.
* NITI Aayog has set up one Atal Community Innovation Center (ACIC) in Odisha at GIET University Foundation.
* AIM, in collaboration with UNDP India, launched the Community Innovator Fellowship.
* **Fund Disbursement Details**
* Appendix 1 lists projects for which funding has been sanctioned under FY 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholders**
* School Children in Odisha
* **Impact:** Enhanced exposure to science, technology, and innovation through various programs and initiatives.
* **Action Required:** Participate in the available programs, such as "Jigyasa" and NCSC, and utilize Atal Tinkering Labs.
* Women in Rural Odisha
* **Impact:** Opportunities for skill development and technology adoption to improve livelihoods.
* **Action Required:** Participate in the Technology Development and Utilization Programme for Women (TDUPW) and access resources at the Common Research and Technology Development Hub (CRTDH).
* Artisans in Odisha
* **Impact:** Access to technology interventions for metal crafting and improved techniques.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the dedicated metal craft facility center set up by CSIR-IMMT and participate in relevant training programs.
* Teachers in Odisha
* **Impact:** Access to low-cost teaching aid workshops, industry visits and Samvaad program.
* **Action Required:** Participate in training program and attend workshops.
* GIET University Foundation
* **Impact:** Host of Atal Community Innovation Center (ACIC) in Odisha.
* **Action Required:** Facilitate knowledge building and provide a platform for aspiring community innovators.
* Community Innovators
* **Impact:** Opportunity to receive fellowship offering financial support and mentorship.
* **Action Required:** Participate in the Community Innovator Fellowship.
Key Entities Referenced
Odisha: Indian state; the primary location to which the policy and associated programs apply.
Ministry of Science and Technology: Union ministry responsible for the administration and implementation of the rural science outreach and innovation lab programs.
Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs): Initiative to set up labs in schools to foster curiosity, creativity and imagination in young minds; the establishment of these labs is a key part of the discussion.
NITI Aayog: Government of India's premier policy think tank; the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) of NITI Aayog is involved in setting up Atal Tinkering Labs and Atal Community Innovation Centers.
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR): Government department promoting scientific and industrial research, involved in various schemes discussed in the document.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2827
TO BE ANSWERED ON 17/12/2025
Establishment of Rural Science Outreach & Innovation Labs in Odisha
2827. Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo:
Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has assessed the need for dedicated
Rural Science Outreach & Innovation Labs in aspirational and
educationally underserved districts of Odisha including Balangir and
Sonepur;
(b) the details of any proposals received from Odisha for setting up
Atal Tinkering Labs., mobile science vans, or rural STEM incubation
centres during the financial Years 2023–24 and 2024–25;
(c) whether funding support has been sanctioned for improving
scientific temperament among school children in rural regions of
Western Odisha and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to expand
community-based innovation programmes to enhance scientific
literacy at grassroots level?
Page 1 of 8ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT),
Bhubaneswar, one of the constituent laboratories of the Council of
Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) which is an autonomous
organization with Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is
contributing effectively towards the S&T interventions of Nabrangpur
aspirational district in Odisha.
(b) No proposal was received from Odisha for setting up Atal
Tinkering Labs during FY 2023–24 and 2024–25 under Atal Innovation
Mission of Niti Aayog.
(c) CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT)
is engaged in connecting school students with scientists through
CSIR’s “Jigyasa” (student-scientist connect) program across the
State of Odisha. National Council for Science and Technology
Communication (NCSTC) division of Department of Science and
Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) is
popularizing science, technology and innovation (STI) among school
students in the age group of 10-17 years to inculcate scientific
temper and introduce them to methods of research and innovation
through its flagship program National Children Science Congress
(NCSC), which is organized at district, state and national level. Atal
Page 2 of 8Innovation Mission (AIM) of Niti Aayog has setup 331 Atal Tinkering
Labs (ATLs) across the state of Odisha for improving scientific
temperament among school children. A total fund of Rs. 43.36 crores
has been disbursed to setup ATLs in the state of Odisha.
(d) The Technology Development and Utilization Programme for
Women (TDUPW), a component under the Access to Knowledge for
Technology Development and Dissemination (A2k+) scheme of
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research aims to promote
and support the adoption of new technologies, awareness creation
and training of women at the grassroot level for deployment of
technologies that reduce drudgery, improve their operational
efficiency and empower them. The scheme supports technology
upgradation in women-run MSMEs, SHGs and women entrepreneurs
and facilitates showcasing and demonstration of technologies
developed by scientific institutions. DSIR has set up Common
Research and Technology Development Hub (CRTDH) under BIRD crf
scheme at CSIR- Institute of Minerals & Materials Technology, (IMMT)
Bhubaneswar and the lab is pursuing activities related to metal
crafting to train artisans and provide technological interventions for
smoke less brass melting furnace, improvement in melting, casting
process of brass metal etc. A dedicated metal craft facility centre
has been setup to provide support to artisans. CSIR-IMMT is also
contributing to innovation ecosystem of Odisha through Startup
Odisha recognized incubation center: Innovative Technology
Enabling Centre (InTEC). Further, CSIR is running a program
“Integrated Skill Initiative” at various levels across different CSIR
Page 3 of 8Laboratories, under which CSIR-IMMT has recently conducted skill
development training programs on “bakery products preparation and
its packaging” at Umerkote, Nabarangpur, Odisha and “Training in
Earthenware & Terracotta Sintering” at Ratneswari Terracotta SHG
located in Tondaguda village, Papdahandi block, Nabarangpur,
Odisha. CSIR-IMMT also participated in the "VIKSIT ODISHA 2025"-
Mega Exhibition held at Rairangpur, Odisha and showcased its
innovative technologies & ongoing R&D activities to the local
students & visitors.
Department of Science and Technology (DST) is undertaking
programs to enhance scientific literacy at grassroot level for
community viz. low-cost teaching aid workshops, Demystification of
science, STEM demonstration activities, folk media programs for
STEM awareness, industry visits and Samvaad program through
mentor and mentee extended to teachers, students and general
public. The fund disbursement details for FY 2023-24, 2024-25 and
2025-26 are given in Appendix 1.
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog has setup Atal Community
Innovation Centers (ACICs) to serve the unserved and underserved
regions. These centers focus on "frugal innovation" and provide
infrastructure, mentorship and community-oriented problem-solving
spaces. Currently, 14 ACICs are fully operationalized across the
country, with 01 in Odisha at GIET University Foundation. A total of
Rs. 62.60 lakhs have been disbursed to GIET University Foundation.
Further, in collaboration with UNDP India, AIM launched the
Page 4 of 8Community Innovator Fellowship to facilitate knowledge building and
provide a platform for aspiring community innovators. This fellowship
offers financial support and mentorship to youth to develop
community-centric solutions.
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Page 5 of 8Appendix - 1
Sl. Project Details PI/ Organization Amount F.Y.
No. Name Sanctioned
(in Rs)
1 Training of Teachers Samanta 3551000 2023-24
Through Low-Cost Chandrashekhar
hands-on innovative Vigyan Club
methods of science Balasore, Orissa
teaching in physics
to promote
innovation amongst
students of Odisha
2 Project proposal to Society for 3068000 2023-24
exploring the Humanitarian
science among tribal Advancement
people to stop witch with Key
craft, Black Magic, Technological
Fire Burn Treatment Initiative
of new born babies (SHAKTI)
and sorcery practice Balasore, Orissa
through folk media
drama and pala
among tribals of
Harichandanpur and
Champua Blocks of
Keonjhar District of
Odisha
3 Project proposal for ESWAR, Orissa 3230000 2023-24
organization science
drama festival to
campaign for water
conservation and
rain water harvesting
through folk media
among the tribal &
rural mass in the
aspirational district
as kalahandi in
Odisha
Page 6 of 84 Science awareness Socio Cultural 2479500 2023-24
programs for social Development
issues eradication Centre
through folk media in Jagatsinghapur,
aspirational and Orissa
underdeveloped
district od Odisha
5 "Industrial Tour- A Socio Cultural 3026400 2023-24
Recognition to Development
Science and Centre
Technology for Jagatsinghapur,
Students of under Orissa
develop District
(Angul, Mayurbhanj,
Malkangiri, Gajapati,
Rayagada &
Kalahandi) of
Odisha"
6 Project proposal for Bihang Welfare 3067200 2023-24
organizing folk Association
media-based science Kalahandi,
drama festivals to Orissa
campaign against
major tribal health
issues as malaria, TB
and Malnutrition
among the tribal
population of
Naupada, as
Aspirational District
in Odisha
7 Science Awareness Development 2496000 2023-24
cum advocacy Action Society
campaign among Foundation
students and SC/ST Balia, Orissa
community in
scheduled areas for
recent advancement
in science
technology
Page 7 of 88 District and State Dr. Ransing 1226500 2024-25
Level Children Nirmalendu
Science Congress Bharat Jan Gyan
2023 for Odisha Vigyan Samiti
Bhubneshwar,
Orissa
9 Project Proposal Mrs. Shruti Singh 3361920 2025-26
towards ESWAR
Implementing Kodapala, Orissa
Samvaad Initiatives
for the students to
campaign for
Developing safe
drinking water habits
so as to avoid
diseases
Page 8 of 8