Home India SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Parliament Question: Science & Technology and Innovation Hub...
Date: 2026-02-11 Category: Not Applicable State: Union Government Country: India

Parliament Question: Science & Technology and Innovation Hubs

Issued by SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY · Not Applicable

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Executive Summary & Key Takeaways

**Executive Summary** This document answers a starred question in the Lok Sabha regarding Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Hubs. It outlines the number of STI Hubs established across India and specifically in Andhra Pradesh over the last five years (2020-2025), along with details on their objectives, beneficiaries, and funding. The document also announces the timeline for inviting applications for setting up new STI Hubs. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Establishment of STI Hubs:** * A total of 56 STI Hubs have been established across the country in the last five years (2020-2025). * Andhra Pradesh has 8 STI Hubs established in the same period. * **STI Hubs in Andhra Pradesh:** * The hubs are located in the districts of West Godavari, Guntur, Chittoor, Alluri Sitharama Raju and Dr B R Ambedkar Konaseema. * Implementing institutions include Shri Vishnu Engineering College, Vignan's Foundation, Sree Vidyanikethan Engineering College, Aditya Engineering College and Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam. * Objectives vary by hub, including coconut oil product development, herbal product development, health data collection, agricultural improvements, and socio-economic upliftment of Scheduled Caste and Tribe communities. * **Beneficiaries:** * The document provides the number of SC/ST beneficiaries (male and female) supported through STI Hubs across various states and districts. * **Funding for STI Hubs in Andhra Pradesh:** * Details of funds sanctioned, released, and utilized for STI Hubs in Andhra Pradesh are provided for each year, project, and district. * **New STI Hubs:** * The government plans to invite applications for setting up new STI Hubs during the current financial year. * Calls for proposals are scheduled to be issued in March and April 2026. * Evaluation and finalization of selections will take three to four months after the closure of the call. **Impact Analysis** **Ministry of Science and Technology** * **Impact**: Responsible for overseeing the implementation of STI Hubs and managing the application process for new hubs. * **Action Required**: Prepare and release calls for proposals for new STI Hubs in March/April 2026, conduct evaluations, and finalize selections within 3-4 months of the call closure. **Implementing Institutions of STI Hubs** * **Impact**: Responsible for executing the objectives of established STI Hubs and managing funded initiatives. * **Action Required**: Continue implementing STI Hub programs, utilize allocated funds effectively, and prepare Utilization Certificates (UC) for FY25-26. **Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) Communities:** * **Impact**: Potential beneficiaries of the STI Hub initiatives, with opportunities for socio-economic upliftment, improved livelihoods, and skill development. * **Action Required**: Participate in STI Hub programs, engage in skill development initiatives, and leverage available technologies for improving livelihoods. **Researchers / Scientists:** * **Impact**: Potentially involved in research, development, and adaptation of technologies for STI Hubs. * **Action Required**: Develop proposals for STI Hubs, create programs that align with STI Hub objectives, and promote effective practices for implementation.

Key Entities Referenced

Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Hubs: A program to establish hubs across the country to promote science, technology, and innovation, with a focus on SC/ST communities. Ministry of Science and Technology: The primary ministry responsible for establishing and overseeing the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Hubs program. Andhra Pradesh: A state in India where STI Hubs have been established and where detailed data is provided in the document. Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Indian Parliament, where the question regarding STI Hubs was raised.
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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. *166 ANSWERED ON 11/02/2026 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION HUBS *166. SHRI G M HARISH BALAYOGI: Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state: (a) the number of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Hubs established across the country during the last five years, year and State-wise; (b) the number of such STI Hubs established in Andhra Pradesh during the same period, district-wise; (c) the details of these STI Hubs in Andhra Pradesh, including their objectives, key focus areas, implementing institutions and the target SC/ST beneficiary groups, district-wise; (d) the number of beneficiaries (male, female, SC/ST) supported through STI Hubs across the country during the last five years, year, State and district- wise in Andhra Pradesh; (e) the details of the amount of funds sanctioned, released and utilised for STI Hubs in Andhra Pradesh during the last five years, year, project and district-wise; and (f) whether the Government plans to invite applications for setting up new STI Hubs during the current financial year and if so, the details of the expected timeline for issuing calls for proposals and finalising selections? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH) (a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. Page 1 of 17STATEMENT AS REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 166 FOR 11/02/2026 REGARDING “SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION HUBS” (a) The number of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Hubs established across the country during the last five years, Year and state-wise are as follows: NUMBER OF STI HUBS S. STATE 2020- 2021- 2022- 2023- 2024- Current No. TOTAL 21 22 23 24 25 FY(till date) Andaman & 1 - 1 - - - - 1 Nicobar 2 Andhra Pradesh 1 2 1 2 - 2 8 3 Assam - - 3 1 - - 4 4 Goa - - 1 - - - 1 5 Gujarat - - 1 - 1 - 2 6 Haryana - - - - - 1 1 Himachal 7 - - 1 - - - 1 Pradesh 8 Jharkhand - 1 - - - - 1 9 Karnataka - - 1 1 1 - 3 10 Kerala - - 2 - - 1 3 11 Ladakh 1 - - - - - 1 12 Madhya Pradesh - 1 - - - - 1 13 Meghalaya - 1 - - - - 1 14 Mizoram - - - 1 - - 1 15 Odisha - 1 2 - 1 - 4 16 Puducherry - - 1 - - - 1 17 Punjab 1 - - - - - 1 18 Rajasthan 1 - 1 1 - - 3 19 Sikkim - - - - 1 1 2 20 Tamil Nadu 1 2 2 1 - - 6 21 Telangana 2 2 - - - - 4 22 Uttarakhand - - - - - 1 1 23 Uttar Pradesh 1 - 1 - - - 2 24 West Bengal 1 - - 1 - 1 3 TOTAL 9 11 17 8 4 7 56 Page 2 of 17(b) The STI Hubs established in Andhra Pradesh during the same period, district-wise is as follows: YEAR STATE NUMBER OF STI HUBS DISTRICT 2020-21 Andhra Pradesh 1 West Godavari 2021-22 Andhra Pradesh 2 Guntur Chitoor 2022-23 Andhra Pradesh 1 Guntur 2023-24 Andhra Pradesh 2 Alluri Sitharama Raju Dr B R Ambedkar Konaseema 2025-26 Andhra Pradesh 2 Sri Alluri Sitharama Raju West Godavari (c) The details of STI Hubs in Andhra Pradesh, including their objectives, key focus areas, implementing institutions, and the target SC/ST beneficiary groups, district-wise are as follows: Details of STI Objectives Key focus District Target SC/ST Hub Title and areas beneficiary implementing groups institutions SC ST Science 1) To make use of 1) Coconut oil West Mala, - Technology and coconut oil for the product Godavari Madiga, Innovation Hub preparation of development, Kolupu- in Shri Vishnu ordinary soaps soap lavandlu Engineering formulation & 2) To make use of College for and Pambada virgin coconut oil Women, processing for the preparation Bhimavaram of herbal soaps. Block, West 2) Herbal Godavari 3) To develop a data product District, Andhra base of general development, Pradesh State health of target virgin oil population and take utilization Shri Vishnu appropriate Engineering measures for 3) Health data College for sustenance of collection, Woman, health based on regression Bhimavaram- regression analysis analysis, 534202, West public health 4)To manufacture Godavari monitoring Activated charcoal District,Andhra from coconut shell Pradesh 4) Activated 5) To make rope charcoal Page 3 of 17Details of STI Objectives Key focus District Target SC/ST Hub Title and areas beneficiary implementing groups institutions SC ST from coconut fiber. production, coconut shell 6) To establish utilization packing and preparation of 5) Coconut coconut water fiber product development, 7) To produce rope making moisture free copra using solar dryers 6) Coconut and validate the water same using processing computer vision and based auxiliary Packaging system. 7)Solar drying, computer vision quality control, copra processing STI hub for 1. Cultivation and Agriculture, Guntur Mala, Yerulula, income conservation of high bio fertilizer Madiga & Sugali and generation and value medicinal and and bio Gosangi Lambadi livelihood aromatic plants for energy improvement of enhancing Scheduled Caste livelihood of community of targeted Guntur district, community. Andhra Pradesh 2.Improved Vignan's Found- technology for ation for bioinoculant based Science, fertilizer production Technology and towards Research, enhancement of Guntur- Tenali paddy and High Way, vegetable crops Vadlamudi, Andhra Pradesh- 3. Sustainable 522 213 biogas production by anaerobic digestion of farm wastes and cattle manure Page 4 of 17Details of STI Objectives Key focus District Target SC/ST Hub Title and areas beneficiary implementing groups institutions SC ST Science 1.To improve the Food Chittor Adi - Technology and socio- economic processing, Andhra, Innovation STI conditions of Jaggery Mala, Hub in Scheduled Caste preparation, Madiga & Chandragiri Population in Mango pulp Arundh- Mandal, Chittoor Chandragiri Mandal Processing atiya District, Andhra of Chittoor District Pradesh State through Skill for the Interventions in Development Socioeconomic food processing and and capacity Development of post- harvest building for Scheduled Caste technologies SC/ST youth SC and (promote research, Scheduled Tribe development & Bio fertilizer ST Communities adaptation of Production appropriate and relevant Ethno Sree technologies for medicinal Vidyanikethan socioeconomic practices and Engineering development of documentation College, Sree target population) Sainath Nagar, A. Rangampet, 2. Promotion, Tirupati - replication and 517102, Andhra scaling up of Pradesh successful technologies leading to socio Economic empowerment and Capacity building 3. Skill Development and Technical Capacity building of SC/ST Youth in advanced trades of Postharvest processing, Food processing, Dryland agriculture, mineral industry etc. (upgrade the skills, building on Local requirements) Page 5 of 17Details of STI Objectives Key focus District Target SC/ST Hub Title and areas beneficiary implementing groups institutions SC ST 4. Creation of social enterprises in food processing/post- harvest processing 5.Identification, scientific validation and documentation of the ethnomedicinal practices of Scheduled Tribes of Yerpedu Mandal (scientific validation of traditional & indigenous knowledge) Science 1.To strengthen 1.Yield Kantheru Madiga - Technology and and improve the improvement Innovation Hub existing livelihoods in jasmine and in Guntur of selected SC turmeric crops District, Andhra communities Pradesh through agri-based 2. Enhancement STI interventions. in Turmeric Koneru Interventions in Curcumin Lakshmaiah Spice and Content (2-2.5 Education Floriculture %/wt) Foundation 2. Creation of Green Fields, 3.Essential oil location specific Vaddeswaram, production alternative Guntur, Andhra from Turmeric agriculture/horticult Pradesh – and Jasmine ure production 522502 Flower systems 3. Skill development 4.Floral and technical biomass capacity building of management – SC community in making of value addition/Post value added harvest processing products of agriculture/ horticulture produce 4. Development of small-scale micro/social Page 6 of 17Details of STI Objectives Key focus District Target SC/ST Hub Title and areas beneficiary implementing groups institutions SC ST enterprises based on existing resources/strengths/ skills of SC population in the targeted area Science 1. To improve the 1. Socio- Alluri - Bagata, Technology and socio-economic Economic Sitharama Kotiya, Innovation Hub conditions of Upliftment of Raju Valmiki, in Paderu selected Scheduled ST District Khond, Division Paderu Tribe population in Communities Gadhaba, Mandal and selected villages of Nookadora Araku Valley Araku Valley and 2. Value Chain & Mandal, Alluri Paderu Mandals of niger seed Kondadora Sitharama Raju through Science and honey District, Andhra and Technology Pradesh State. Interventions. 3. Health & Nutrition Gandhi 2. Value chain Improvement Instutute of development Technology and through Science 4. Capacity Management and Technology Building in (GITAM), Interventions and Science and Visakhapatnam, creation of social Technology Andhra Prasesh- enterprises (based 530045 on strengths in 5. Improved livelihood capitals). varieties, cropping 3. To improve the system, physical and human agronomic capitals of selected management, beneficiaries plant • Improve the health protection, and nutrition status. harvesting, • STI Capacity post harvest Building handling, • Design and value addition development of new and bee tools and keeping technologies for various 6. Community livelihood Engagement & applications. dissemination Page 7 of 17Details of STI Objectives Key focus District Target SC/ST Hub Title and areas beneficiary implementing groups institutions SC ST Science 1. Development of 1. Design and Dr. B R Mala and - Technology And agricultural Development Ambedkar Madiga Innovation Hub machinery for SC of Community Konaseema For Development Community for Level Mango Of Scheduled producing value Pulp Extractor Caste added products in Communities In agricultural sector. 2. Mushroom Amalapuram cultivation Mandal, Dr B R 2. Set up STI Hub with Banana Ambedkar for training the SC pseudo stem Konaseema population in the District, Andhra target region. 3. Byproducts Pradesh State by processing 3. Imparting training of Coconut Aditya to the target Waste Engineering beneficiaries. (a) Design and College, Development Surampalem, 4. Improve the socio of low-cost East Godavari, economic status pyrolysis kiln Andhra Pradesh, and health of SC for production 533437 Population in the of Activated target area Charcoal (b)Development of mini semi- automatic fiber extractor and grader (c) Bio potash (d) Production of Mushroom from Coir pith 4. Design and Development of Adjustable Hydraulic Harvester for Oil Palm Production of bio-potash To Set up 1. To improve the Capacity Alluri Kondadora science socio-economic building in Sitharama Bhagatha Technology and conditions and new scientific Raju Kotiya Innovation Hub quality of life of interventions District Valmiki Page 8 of 17Details of STI Objectives Key focus District Target SC/ST Hub Title and areas beneficiary implementing groups institutions SC ST in IIM tribal communities during pre- Kamara Visakhapatnam, of Araku farming and Gowdu Araku Valley/ Valley/Hukumpeta/P post-farming Kodhu Hukumpeta/Pad aderu mandals of methods, Porja eru mandals of Sri Alluri including new Ghadabal Sri Alluri Sitharamaraju (ASR) food Kummara Sitharamaraju District processing Mali District, of (a) By strengthening machines to Andhra Pradesh agri-horticultural create new value chains value added Indian Institute through S&T agro products of Management interventions from Ginger, Visakhapatnam (b) By up-gradation Turmeric, and Andhra bank of infrastructural Black Pepper School of facilities coupled Business with market Building, linkages Andhra University 2. Deployment of Campus Location Specific Visakhapatnam Appropriate (530003), Technologies for Andhra Pradesh doubling the income of tribal farmers 3. Creating sustainable livelihood opportunities through local resource management and S&T led entrepreneurship 4. Science and Technology Capacity Building of Local Communities for Sustainable Livelihoods Science 1. Improvement of 1.Mechanization West Mala and Technology and the socio-economic and automation Godavari Madiga Innovation conditions of of aquaculture Driven Inland selected Scheduled Page 9 of 17Details of STI Objectives Key focus District Target SC/ST Hub Title and areas beneficiary implementing groups institutions SC ST Aquaculture Hub Caste population of 2. Enhancing for Bhimavaram Kalla Mandal, West nutrition of Suburbs Godavari District Livestock with through Science duckweed Sagi and Technology products Ramakrishnam Interventions based Raju Engineering on weakest links in 3. Value College, China predominant addition to Amiram, livelihoods. aqua products Bhimavaram, Design and and by Andhra Pradesh development of new products – 534204 technologies and modification of existing technologies for various livelihood applications for the upliftment of SC population with respect to aquaculture. 2. Strengthening the existing aquaculture practices, livelihoods and post-harvest processes through infusion of advanced technologies. Creation of alternate livelihoods/new livelihoods using byproducts of aquatic system. 3. Value chain development and creation of entrepreneur/enterp rise ecosystem based on the Page 10 of 17Details of STI Objectives Key focus District Target SC/ST Hub Title and areas beneficiary implementing groups institutions SC ST strengths in livelihoods. Creation of rural enterprises in aquaculture and post-harvest technologies. 4. To improve the physical and human capital of selected beneficiaries. STI Capacity building and skill development of target beneficiaries in relevant STI solutions. (d) The number of beneficiaries (male, female, SC/ST) supported through STI Hubs across the country during the last five years, year, State and district- wise in Andhra Pradesh are as follows:- STATE DISTRICT NO. OF SC/ST BENEFICIARY DISTRICT-WISE FEMALE MALE 2020-21 ANDHRA PRADESH West Godavari 418 95 LADAKH Leh 1350 1500 PUNJAB Patiala 1066 1194 RAJASTHAN Jaipur 1442 1141 TAMIL NADU Virudhunagar 718 282 TELANGANA Medchal - Malkaggiri 673 1338 UTTAR PRADESH Kanpur Dehat 42 108 UTTARAKHAND Chamoli 172 180 HIMACHAL PRADESH Bilaspur 695 704 Cooch Behar 702 793 WEST BENGAL Alipurduar 482 630 Jalpaiguri 321 426 Page 11 of 17STATE DISTRICT NO. OF SC/ST BENEFICIARY DISTRICT-WISE FEMALE MALE 2021-22 ANDAMAN AND Nicobar district, Car 148 467 NICOBAR Nicobar Guntur 30 210 ANDHRA PRADESH Chittor 493 458 JHARKHAND Ranchi 19 81 MADHYA PRADESH Vidisha 200 200 MEGHALAYA RiBhoi and East Khasi Hills 3729 ODISHA Koraput 431 1453 Chengalpattu 847 639 TAMIL NADU Vellore 773 697 Chevella Region, 177 255 TELANGANA Rangareddy Warangal 671 329 2022-23 ANDHRA PRADESH Guntur 180 181 ASSAM Dhemaji 480 0 Cachar 36 38 Jorhat 3 7 Kamrup Rural 204 187 GOA South Goa 500 300 GUJARAT Narmada District 205 252 HIMACHAL PRADESH S olan 86 61 KARNATAKA Chitradurga 68 427 Wayanad 168 193 Malappuram 194 208 Palakkad 141 173 Idukki 139 140 Pathanamthitta 178 193 Ernakulam 116 113 KERALA Trissur 21 21 Kollam 8 10 Alappuzha 21 21 Kottayam 24 18 Kannur 6 6 Kozhikode 11 18 Khurda 234 273 ODISHA Balangir 415 606 Page 12 of 17STATE DISTRICT NO. OF SC/ST BENEFICIARY DISTRICT-WISE FEMALE MALE PUDUCHERRY Karaikal (Puducherry U.T) 110 12 Jodhpur 423 239 Nagaur 289 83 RAJASTHAN Jaisalmer 200 112 Bikaner 52 311 Barmer 201 129 Cuddalore 157 54 TAMIL NADU Salem 600 400 Prayagraj 180 247 UTTAR PRADESH Varanasi 33 40 2023-24 Alluri Sitharama Raju 416 619 ANDHRA PRADESH Dr. B R Ambedkar 400 600 Konaseema ASSAM Kokrajhar 727 1429 KARNATAKA Chikkaballapura 1187 669 MIZORAM Aizawl, Serchhip 2967 2006 RAJASTHAN Baran 893 269 TAMIL NADU Tiruvannamalai 547 459 WEST BENGAL South 24 Parganas 330 1037 2024-25 GUJARAT Gir Somnath 46 54 Chikmagalur 187 697 KARNATAKA Kodagu 149 602 Chamrajnagar 178 311 Kalahandi 25 22 Mayurbhanj 42 30 ODISHA Kandhamal 18 27 Kendhujhar 35 24 SIKKIM Mangan 152 134 (e) The details of the amount of funds sanctioned, released, and utilised for STI Hubs in Andhra Pradesh during the last five years, year, project and district-wise are as follows:- Page 13 of 17STI Hub Title and Fund Status (Rs.) District Institute Address Sanctioned Released Utilized 2020-21 ANDHRA PRADESH Science Technology 3,15,38,570 2,51,82,570 2,51,82,570 West and Innovation Hub Godavari in Shri Vishnu Engineering College for Women, Bhimavaram Block, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh State Shri Vishnu Engineering College for Woman, Bhimavaram-534202, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh 2021-22 ANDHRA PRADESH STI hub for income 1,60,73,660 1,56,25,768 1,56,25,768 Guntur generation and livelihood improvement of Scheduled Caste community of Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh Vignan's Foundation for Science, Technology and Research, Guntur- Tenali High Way, Vadlamudi, Andhra Pradesh- 522 213 Science Technology 3,07,30,086 2,59,01,876 2,59,01,876 Chittor and Innovation STI Page 14 of 17STI Hub Title and Fund Status (Rs.) District Institute Address Sanctioned Released Utilized Hub in Chandragiri Mandal, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh State for the Socioeconomic Development of Scheduled Caste SC and Scheduled Tribe ST Communities Sree Vidyanikethan Engineering College, Sree Sainath Nagar, A. Rangampet, Tirupati - 517102, Andhra Pradesh 2022-23 ANDHRA PRADESH Science Technology 2,59,36,092 1,80,80,412 1,80,80,412 Guntur and Innovation Hub in Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation Green Fields, Vaddeswaram, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh – 522502 2023-24 ANDHRA PRADESH Science Technology 3,64,60,601 3,06,46,346 2,60,39,251 Alluri and Innovation Hub *To be Sitharama in Paderu Division utilized Raju Paderu Mandal and Araku Valley Mandal, Alluri Sitharama Raju District, Andhra Pradesh State. Page 15 of 17STI Hub Title and Fund Status (Rs.) District Institute Address Sanctioned Released Utilized Gandhi Instutute of Technology and Management (GITAM), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Prasesh- 530045 Science Technology 2,26,69,408 1,08,90,403 89,53,628 Dr. B R And Innovation Hub *To be Ambedkar For Development Of utilized Konaseema Scheduled Caste Communities In Amalapuram Mandal, Dr B R Ambedkar Konaseema District, Andhra Pradesh State Aditya Engineering College, Surampalem, East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, 533437 2025-26 (till date) Science Technology 96,00,713 63,68,805 *To be West and Innovation utilized Godavari Driven Inland Aquaculture Hub for Bhimavaram Suburbs Sagi Ramakrishnam Raju Engineering College, China Amiram, Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh – 534204 To Set up science 3,34,75,121 1,38,15,441 *To be Alluri Technology and utilized Sitharama Raju Innovation Hub in IIM Visakhapatnam, Araku Valley/ Page 16 of 17STI Hub Title and Fund Status (Rs.) District Institute Address Sanctioned Released Utilized Hukumpeta/Paderu mandals of Sri Alluri Sitharamaraju District, of Andhra Pradesh Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam Andhra bank School of Business Building, Andhra University Campus Visakhapatnam (530003), Andhra Pradesh * To be utilized (UC for FY25-26 awaited) (f) The issuance of calls for proposals is scheduled during March and April 2026. The subsequent evaluation and finalization of selections will be completed within a period of three to four months after closure of call. ***** Page 17 of 17

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