Executive Summary:
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1818 regarding NITI Aayog's recommendation to cut core grant support to State Science and Technology (ST) councils. It details the government's stance, project-based support initiatives, and funding provided to State ST councils. The response was answered on July 30, 2025, by the Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh.
Key Points / Main Content:
NITI Aayog Recommendation:
* NITI Aayog recommends project-based grants for State ST Councils, focused on capabilities and performance.
* Discontinuation of core annual grants is advised, except for smaller councils in the North Eastern region and Union Territories.
* The recommendations aim to widen support through state financial ownership and project-based funding from central ministries.
Government's Stance and Actions:
* The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has been providing project-based support to State ST Councils.
* 187 projects have been sanctioned in the last five years, including initiatives like Patent Information Centres and Women Technology Parks.
* The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has sanctioned 4 projects to State ST Councils in the North Eastern Region (NER) related to bioresources and Biotech Hubs.
* The Government of India continues to support and strengthen the State level Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Ecosystem.
Funding Details:
* The annexure provides state-wise details of funds released to ST Councils under DST and DBT projects for the past five fiscal years (FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25).
* Total funds released under DST projects amount to Rs. 6685.81 Lakhs.
* Total funds released under DBT projects amount to Rs. 137.55 Lakhs.
Impact Analysis:
State Science and Technology (ST) Councils:
* Impact: Shift from core annual grants to project-based funding, with potential impact on financial stability and project selection.
* Action Required: Adapt to project-based funding model, develop strong project proposals, and seek increased financial ownership from respective states.
Department of Science and Technology (DST):
* Impact: Implementing project-based funding model and monitoring project performance.
* Action Required: Manage project-based grant distribution, evaluate project outcomes, and ensure alignment with national STI goals.
Department of Biotechnology (DBT):
* Impact: Continued support for NER-specific projects.
* Action Required: Oversee NER project implementation and assess the impact on bioresource utilization and biotechnology development.
NITI Aayog:
* Impact: The recommendations made by NITI Aayog will directly impact the distribution of funds and support to State ST Councils
* Action Required: NITI Aayog should ensure the effective implementation of its recommendations while monitoring the effectiveness of the new project-based funding model, and be prepared to adjust policies as needed.
Key Entities Referenced
NITI Aayog: A policy think tank of the Government of India.
State Science and Technology ST Councils: State-level councils responsible for promoting science and technology within their respective states.
Department of Science and Technology DST: A department under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, responsible for promoting science and technology.
North Eastern Region: A region comprising the easternmost part of India, representing a specific geographic region that receives special consideration in the policy document.
Department of Biotechnology DBT: A department under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, responsible for promoting biotechnology.
A Roadmap for Strengthening State ST Councils: A report released by NITI Aayog on 10.07.2025, containing recommendations regarding support to State ST Councils.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India.
Arunachal Pradesh: A state in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1818
ANSWERED ON 30/07/2025
NITI AAYOG RECOMMENDATION FOR A CUT IN CORE GRANT SUPPORT TO
STATE S&T COUNCILS
1818. ADV K. FRANCIS GEORGE:
Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:
(a) whether NITI Aayog has recommended for a cut in 'core grant support'
for State Science and Technology (S&T) councils and if so, the reasons
therefor;
(b) whether the Government is planning to initiate 'Project based support'
henceforth to State S&T Councils as recommended by NITI Aayog;
(c) if so, the details of fund given to States S&T councils annually by the
Government, State wise; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to reconsider the recommendation
of NITI Aayog and continue liberal funding to State S&T councils to execute
research and development in tune with their specific socio-economic
conditions and if so, the details thereof?
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 report titled “A Roadmap for Strengthening State S&T Councils”
released by NITI Aayog on 10.07.2025, recommends that the support given to
State S&T Councils by Department of Science and Technology (DST), should
be project-based grant, focused on their capabilities and performance. It
further recommends discontinuing core annual grant, except for continued
support to smaller councils in North Eastern region and Union Territories.
These recommendations are the outcome of the regional consultative
meetings of NITI Aayog with State S&T Councils. The report recommends
widening of the support base through greater financial ownership by the
States and enhanced project-based financial support from various Central
Government Ministries and Departments, including performance-based grants
and increased linkages.
Page 1 of 4(b) to (d): DST has been providing project based support to State S&T
Councils and in the last five years, 187 projects have been sanctioned to the
State S&T Councils, viz., Establishment of Patent Information Centres,
Women Technology Parks, SC/ST Cells, Climate Change Centres/Cells,
Organizing Children Science Congress, Celebration of National Science Day
and Mathematics Day etc.
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under its North Eastern Region (NER)
programme has sanctioned 4 projects to State S&T Councils during last five
years regarding sustainable utilization of bio-resources, Biotech Hub etc. The
details of funds released to S&T Councils under these projects during last five
years, state-wise, are given in the Annexure.
The Government of India continues supporting and strengthening the State
level, Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Ecosystem by enabling State
S&T Councils in several domains with respect to their socio-economic
conditions.
Page 2 of 4Annexure
Sl. Name of Released funds (In Rs. Lakhs)
No. State/UT FY FY FY FY FY Total
Council 2020–21 2021– 2022–23 2023– 2024–25
22 24
A. Department of Science and Technology
1 Andhra 5.00 17.00 20.00 - 25.35 67.35
Pradesh
2 Arunachal 134.33 18.50 32.00 28.60 65.07 278.50
Pradesh
3 Assam 62.46 11.50 30.00 37.20 15.20 156.36
4 Bihar 0.00 20.00 20.00 20.00 20.00 80.00
5 Chhattisgarh 9.30 21.30 39.43 28.00 12.00 110.03
6 Goa 9.50 16.70 10.32 - 42.48 79.00
7 Gujarat 11.50 29.75 349.29 51.50 15.20 457.24
8 Haryana 12.00 12.00 25.04 - 45.49 94.53
9 Himachal 21.69 30.15 22.00 9.60 24.00 107.44
Pradesh
10 Karnataka 334.98 20.00 171.97 125.10 35.00 687.05
11 Kerala 258.38 25.40 22.00 119.25 117.83 542.86
12 Madhya 20.00 20.00 20.00 20.00 213.22 293.22
Pradesh
13 Maharashtra - 16.00 16.00 16.00 20.00 68.00
14 Manipur 25.49 - 12.00 12.00 12.00 61.49
15 Meghalaya 6.00 16.70 12.00 20.30 17.39 72.39
16 Mizoram 172.35 24.75 45.13 12.00 34.69 288.92
17 Nagaland - - - 66.28 24.00 90.28
18 Punjab 311.92 40.39 186.83 72.47 99.69 711.3
19 Rajasthan 11.00 - - - - 11.00
20 Sikkim 285.65 15.00 243.64 52.72 53.48 650.49
Page 3 of 4Sl. Name of Released funds (In Rs. Lakhs)
No. State/UT FY FY FY FY FY Total
Council 2020–21 2021– 2022–23 2023– 2024–25
22 24
21 Tamil Nadu 106.04 20.00 186.25 - 90.00 402.29
22 Telangana 11.00 365.42 41.62 142.00 54.41 614.45
23 Tripura 191.87 12.00 - - - 203.87
24 Uttarakhand 21.82 130.92 56.30 21.04 89.46 319.54
25 West Bengal 44.60 42.41 92.68 - 58.52 238.21
Sub Total (A) 2066.88 925.89 1654.5 854.06 1184.48 6685.81
B. Department of Biotechnology
1 Arunachal - - 20.84 - 11.49 32.33
Pradesh
2 Manipur - - - - 10.04 10.04
3 Mizoram - 53.73 - - 29.96 83.69
4 Nagaland - - 11.49 - - 11.49
Sub Total (B) - 53.73 32.33 - 51.49 137.55
Total (A+B) 2066.88 979.62 1686.83 854.06 1235.97 6823.36
*****
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