Executive Summary:
This document summarizes the Indian government's funding allocation to Centres of Excellence (CoEs), particularly in Tamil Nadu, and outlines the government's recognition of Research and Development (R&D) in national development. It details the current CoEs, their research areas, and the government's plans to increase funding and support in emerging sectors through initiatives like the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). The document was answered in the Lok Sabha on July 30, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
Funding Allocation to CoEs in Tamil Nadu (Last Three Years):
* IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation at IIT Madras, Chennai: Rs. 133.93 Cr.
* IIT Madras in association with C-DoT, Chennai: Rs. 5.17 Cr.
* PSG CT Science and Technology Entrepreneurial Park PG STEP, Coimbatore: Rs. 7.66 Cr.
* Vel Tech Technology Incubator, Chennai: Rs. 1.68 Cr.
Breakup of Functioning CoEs and Research Focus Areas (Sector-wise):
* Quantum Technology: IISc Bengaluru, IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi.
* Energy Storage: IIT Bombay, NFTDC, IIT Delhi, IISc Bengaluru, IISER Thiruvananthapuram, IIT Hyderabad.
* Manufacturing: IIT Delhi, CSIR NML Jamshedpur, IIT Ropar, IIT Patna, IISc Bengaluru, CSIR-NAL Bengaluru, CSIR NCL Pune.
* Health: IIT Kanpur.
* Waste Management: VNIT Nagpur, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab.
* Sector Agnostic: IIM Ahmedabad, IIT Bombay, Kalinga Institute of Technology, PSG College of Technology Coimbatore, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology Chennai, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, Thub Hyderabad, IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation at IIT Madras.
Government Recognition of R&D and Plans to Increase Funding:
* The government recognizes the pivotal role of R&D in India's socioeconomic progress.
* Increased funding through successive budget allocations for science ministries.
* Launched high-impact technology missions in emerging domains.
* Established the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to provide strategic direction for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
* ANRF will implement programs, including CoEs in emerging and strategic domains.
* A call for setting up Convergence CoEs has been launched by ANRF to address complex societal challenges.
Impact Analysis:
Science Ministries:
* Impact: Increased funding and strategic direction through ANRF.
* Action Required: Align research and development efforts with national priorities.
Centres of Excellence (CoEs):
* Impact: Potential for increased funding and support, particularly in emerging and strategic sectors; opportunity to participate in Convergence CoEs.
* Action Required: Consider participating in ANRF programs and Convergence CoEs.
Researchers and Innovators:
* Impact: Enhanced ecosystem for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship through ANRF initiatives.
* Action Required: Align research with national priorities and explore opportunities through ANRF programs.
National Development:
* Impact: Acceleration of scientific and technological progress, addressing societal challenges.
* Action Required: Support and participate in initiatives to promote research and development.
Key Entities Referenced
Tamil Nadu: State in India where funds were allocated to various Centres of Excellence (CoEs).
IIT Madras: Indian Institute of Technology Madras, an engineering institute where Centres of Excellence are located.
IISc Bengaluru: Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, an institute with Centres of Excellence focused on areas like Quantum Computing and Specialty Chemicals.
Anusandhan National Research Foundation ANRF: A foundation established by the Government of India to provide strategic direction for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Quantum Science and Technology: An emerging and strategic domain where the Government of India has launched high-impact technology missions.
CyberPhysical Systems: An emerging and strategic domain where the Government of India has launched high-impact technology missions.
IIT Bombay: Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, an engineering institute where Centres of Excellence are located.
Department of Science and Technology: A ministry of Indian government.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1663
ANSWERED ON 30/07/2025
FUNDS ALLOCATION TO CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE
1663. SHRI ROBERT BRUCE C:
SHRI MURASOLI S:
Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:
(a) the details of funds allocated to various Centres of Excellence (CoEs)
in the State of Tamil Nadu during the last three years;
(b) the breakup of CoEs currently functioning, along with their key
research focus areas Ministry-wise and sector-wise;
(c) whether the Government recognises the critical role of Research and
Development (R&D) investment in long-term national development;
(d) if so, whether it plans to increase funding and support to CoEs in
emerging and strategic sectors; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reason therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी तथा पथ्ृ िी विज्ञान मंत्रालय के राज्य मंत्री (स्ितंत्र प्रभार)
(डॉ. जितेंद्र स हं )
(a) The details of funds allocated to various Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in
the State of Tamil Nadu during the last three years is as given below:
Details about the Centre of Excellence Funds allocated in last
three years (in Crores)
IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Rs. 133.93 Cr.
Foundation at IIT Madras, Chennai
IIT Madras in association with C-DoT, Rs. 5.17 Cr.
Chennai
PSG CT- Science and Technology Rs. 7.66 Cr.
Entrepreneurial Park (PG- STEP), Coimbatore
Vel Tech Technology Incubator, Chennai Rs. 1.68 Cr.
Page 1 of 4(b) The breakup of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) currently functioning,
along with their key research focus areas is as given below:
Centres of
Sector key research focus areas / Sector
Excellence (CoEs)
IISc Bengaluru Quantum Computing
IIT Madras in
Quantum association with C- Quantum Communication
Technology DoT
IIT Bombay Quantum Sensing & Metrology
IIT Delhi Quantum Materials & Devices
Energy Storage Platform on
DST- IIT Bombay.
Hydrogen
Energy Storage Platform on
DST- NFTDC
Hydrogen
Energy Storage Platform on
DST-IIT Delhi
Batteries
Clean Energy Energy Storage Platform on
DST-IISc , Bengluru
Supercapacitors
DST-IISER Integrated Clean Energy Material
Thiruvananthapuram Acceleration Platform on Storage
Integrated Clean Energy Material
DST-IIT Hyderabad Acceleration Platform on
Bioenergy and Hydrogen
IIT Delhi Smart Manufacturing
CSIR – NML, Wear and Corrosion Resistant
Jamshedpur Coatings Technology
Wear and Corrosion Resistant
IIT Ropar
Coatings Technology
Wear and Corrosion Resistant
IIT Patna
Coatings Technology
IISc Bengaluru Specialty Chemicals
CeNSE, Indian
Institute of Science,
Electronic Grade Materials
Bengaluru
Manufacturing for Piezo MEMS
CSIR-NAL,
Advanced Bengaluru
Manufacturing CSIR NCL Pune Specialty Chemicals
Foundation for
Innovation and
Technology Transfer
Semiconductor, Electronics
(FITT) Indian
Institute of
Technology, Delhi,
Page 2 of 4Centres of
Sector key research focus areas / Sector
Excellence (CoEs)
Health IIT Kanpur Anti Microbial Resistance (AMR)
VNIT Nagpur Agriculture residue management
Waste
Chitkara University,
Management Agriculture residue management
Rajpura, Punjab
Indian Institute of
Management
Sector Agnostic
Ahmedabad (IIMA),
Ahmedabad
Indian Institute of
Broad Spectrum
Technology, Bombay
Kalinga Institute of
Technology Digital Healthcare, Agritech,
University, MedTech
Bhubaneswar
PSG College of
Technology, Advance Technologies
Sector
Coimbatore
Agnostic
Vel Tech Rangarajan
Centre of
Dr Sagunthala R&D Manufacturing, Digital
Excellence for
Institute of Science Enterprises & E waste and
Start-up
and Technology, plastic waste management.
promotions
Chennai
Inventive Enterprises,
CSIR-National
Biotech/Biomed/Healthcare/Agro,
Chemical
Energy/environment
Laboratory, Pune
sustainability
T-hub, Hyderabad AI, ML
IIT Kanpur MedTech
IIT Madras Pravartak
Technologies
Technology Incubation Hub
Foundation at IIT
Madras, Chennai
(c) to (e): Research, Development, and Innovation have played a pivotal role
in propelling India’s socio-economic progress, a fact well recognized by the
Government of India. To further strengthen the nation's research and
development ecosystem, the government has consistently increased funding
through successive budget allocations for various science ministries. Several
high-impact technology missions have been launched in emerging and
strategic domains such as Quantum Science and Technology, Cyber-Physical
Page 3 of 4Systems, Geospatial Technologies, Bio-manufacturing, and Advanced
Materials.
In a major policy advancement, the government has established the
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to provide strategic
direction for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the country.
During the inaugural meeting of the ANRF Governing Board, several key
interventions were endorsed to enhance the science and technology
ecosystem, particularly through aligning research and development efforts
with national priorities. The ANRF is poised to implement a wide range of
programs including CoEs in emerging and strategic domains aimed at
accelerating India’s scientific and technological progress. In this direction, a
call for setting up of Convergence CoEs have been launched by ANRF with the
aim to address complex societal challenges by bringing together expertise
from various fields to develop innovative and impactful solutions.
*****
Page 4 of 4