**Executive Summary:**
The Ministry of Science and Technology addresses Lok Sabha question 622 regarding infrastructure development under the Vigyan Dhara Scheme. The scheme supports scientific infrastructure development across States and UTs through components like FIST, PURSE, SAIF, SATHI, and CURIE. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) ensures balanced regional distribution, particularly in underserved regions, by supporting institutions and launching special initiatives.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Vigyan Dhara Scheme:**
* Implemented as a Central Sector Scheme by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) across the country.
* Aims to strengthen scientific infrastructure through competitive support for various components.
* **Components Supported:**
* Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure (FIST)
* Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE)
* Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facilities (SAIF)
* Sophisticated Analytical Technical Help Institutes (SATHI)
* Consolidation of University Research for Innovation and Excellence (CURIE)
* **Infrastructure Development Details:**
* Numerous projects supported for scientific infrastructure development across various States and Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh.
* Specific allocations and projects detailed for each component in various states and UTs.
* **New Scientific Facilities:**
* National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI iTBI) program supports innovators and startups with infrastructure like prototyping labs.
* NIDHI iTBIs established at NIT Silchar (Assam) and NIT Agartala (Tripura).
* Two Centres of Excellence for Agricultural Residue Management set up at VNIT Nagpur (Maharashtra) and Chitkara University (Punjab) under the Technology, Translation and Innovation (TTI) Divisions program.
* **Balanced Regional Distribution:**
* DST supports centrally funded institutions (IITs, NITs, AIIMSs, IISERs, IISc) and State Universities, Postgraduate Colleges, and private academic institutions.
* Selection process emphasizes regional equity.
* A special call was launched in 2022 under the PURSE initiative to support underrepresented regions (Northeast, Jammu & Kashmir, and several Central and Eastern states).
**Impact Analysis:**
* **States and Union Territories:**
* *Impact:* Benefit from strengthened scientific infrastructure, leading to enhanced research and development capabilities.
* *Action Required:* Utilize the supported infrastructure effectively to promote scientific advancement and innovation within their regions.
* **Educational and Research Institutions (IITs, NITs, Universities, Colleges):**
* *Impact:* Receive funding and resources to develop and upgrade their scientific infrastructure.
* *Action Required:* Participate in the competitive selection process, implement supported projects efficiently, and ensure optimal utilization of new facilities.
* **Scientists, Researchers, and Innovators:**
* *Impact:* Gain access to advanced facilities and resources, enabling them to conduct cutting-edge research and develop innovative solutions.
* *Action Required:* Leverage the available infrastructure to advance their research, collaborate with other researchers, and contribute to scientific progress.
* **Startups and Entrepreneurs:**
* *Impact:* Receive support through incubation centers and prototyping labs, facilitating the development and commercialization of their innovations.
* *Action Required:* Engage with the NIDHI iTBI program, utilize the provided infrastructure, and develop viable business ventures based on their innovations.
Key Entities Referenced
Vigyan Dhara Scheme: A Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to strengthen scientific infrastructure across the country.
Department of Science and Technology: The Government of India ministry responsible for implementing the Vigyan Dhara Scheme and other science and technology initiatives.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India, specifically mentioned in the context of infrastructure development and fund allocation under the Vigyan Dhara scheme.
Fund for Improvement of ST Infrastructure FIST: A component of the Vigyan Dhara Scheme that supports the strengthening of scientific infrastructure.
Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence PURSE: A component of the Vigyan Dhara Scheme aimed at promoting university research and scientific excellence.
Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facilities SAIF: A component of the Vigyan Dhara Scheme focused on establishing sophisticated analytical instrument facilities.
Sophisticated Analytical Technical Help Institutes SATHI: A component of the Vigyan Dhara Scheme related to sophisticated analytical technical help institutes.
Consolidation of University Research for Innovation and Excellence CURIE: A component of the Vigyan Dhara Scheme focused on consolidating university research for innovation and excellence.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 622
ANSWERED ON 23/07/2025
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT UNDER VIGYAN DHARA SCHEME
622. SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS:
Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:
(a) the details of infrastructure approved and developed under the Vigyan
Dhara scheme, component-wise, across different States and UTs, with specific
focus on Andhra Pradesh;
(b) the details of funds allocated, released, and utilized for infrastructure
development under each component, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, Year-wise;
(c) the details of new research labs, incubation centres, technology transfer
offices, and other scientific facilities established under the scheme, along with
their current operational status, State-wise; and
(d) the measures taken/being taken to ensure balanced regional distribution
of scientific infrastructure, particularly in underserved regions, and the planned
expansion of the scheme?
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 मत्रं ालय के राज्य मत्रं ी (स्ितंत्र प्रभार)
(डॉ. जितेंद्र स हं )
(a) to (b): The Department of Science and Technology implements the Vigyan
Dhara Scheme as a Central Sector Scheme across the country. To strengthen
scientific infrastructure, the scheme supports various components on a
competitive basis, such as the Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure
(FIST), Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE),
Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facilities (SAIF), Sophisticated Analytical
& Technical Help Institutes (SATHI), and Consolidation of University Research
for Innovation and Excellence (CURIE). Through these components, numerous
projects have been supported for the development of scientific infrastructure
across various States and Union Territories, including the State of Andhra
Pradesh.
Page 1 of 4Details of support provided for the development of scientific infrastructure
under Vigyan Dhara in various States and Union Territories:
Component Funds Number States/ UT Number of Number of
Name / Allocated of Covered Departments Scientific
Program (in Supported /Institutions infrastructural
Crores) Projects supported facilities
supported
Assam, Bihar,
Chandigarh,
Chhattisgarh,
Delhi, Goa,
Gujarat,
Haryana,
FIST 31.71 27 Jharkhand, 27 86
Karnataka,
Kerala, Tamil
Nadu,
Telangana,
Uttar Pradesh,
West Bengal.
Andhra
Pradesh,
Assam, Bihar,
Chandigarh,
Chhattisgarh,
Haryana,
PURSE 65.66 13 Jammu and 13 81
Kashmir,
Maharashtra,
New Delhi,
Punjab, Tamil
Nadu,
Uttarakhand.
Chandigarh,
Karnataka,
SAIF 10.00 5 Maharashtra, 5 8
Tamil Nadu,
Uttar Pradesh.
Rajasthan,
Telangana,
SATHI 76.86 4 4 71
Uttar Pradesh,
West Bengal.
Andhra
CURIE 1.00 3 Pradesh, Tamil 3 23
Nadu
Page 2 of 4Details of support provided for the development of scientific infrastructure in
Andhra Pradesh :
Component Funds Number of Institutions Details of Scientific
Name / Allocated Supported name and infrastructural
Program (in Crores) Projects address facilities supported
Atomic Force
Microscope, EM
Koneru
Scanner and EMI/EMC
Lakshmaiah
Test Bench, Glove box
Education
with Spin coater, RF
Foundation
PURSE 3.45 1 Sputtering, Prototype
(Deemed to
Machine, High
be
Precision Inkjet Printer,
University),
Electromagnetic
Guntur ( Dt).
Simulation tool and
Safety infrastructure
2D Ultrasound Machine,
ABG Machine, Ambu
Sri
Bag Resuscitator,
Venkateswara
Cardiac Monitor,
College of
CURIE 0.42 1 Defibrillator, USG
Nursing RVS
Mammogram, Infusion
Nagar,
Pump, Incubator
Tirupati
Neonatal, ECG
Machine, Ventilator
(c) Under the Vigyan Dhara scheme, the National Initiative for Developing and
Harnessing Innovations – Inclusive Technology Business Incubators (NIDHI-
iTBI) program is actively supporting innovators and startups by providing
essential infrastructure, including prototyping labs and related facilities. As
part of this initiative, DST has established NIDHI-iTBIs at NIT Silchar in Assam
and NIT Agartala in Tripura. Additionally, under the Technology, Translation and
Innovation (TTI) Division’s program, two Centres of Excellence focused on
Agricultural Residue Management have been set up at VNIT Nagpur in
Maharashtra and Chitkara University in Punjab.
Page 3 of 4(d) To promote balanced regional distribution of scientific infrastructure, the
Department of Science and Technology (DST) extends support to a wide range
of centrally funded institutions including IITs, NITs, AIIMSs, IISERs, and IISc as
well as State Universities, Postgraduate Colleges, and private academic
institutions across various States and Union Territories through its
infrastructure development programs. The selection process is designed to be
inclusive, with a strong emphasis on ensuring regional equity. In line with this
objective, DST launched a special call in 2022 under the PURSE initiative to
specifically support underrepresented regions such as the Northeast, Jammu
& Kashmir, and several Central and Eastern states, enabling universities in
these areas to strengthen their scientific infrastructure. This dual approach
targeting underserved regions while maintaining national competitiveness
underscores DST’s commitment to fostering inclusive and balanced scientific
growth across the country.
*****
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