Parliament Question: Science & Technology Schemes, Research Collaboration and Startup Promotion in Vellore Region

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2891 ANSWERED ON 17/12/2025 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY SCHEMES, RESEARCH COLLABORATION AND STARTUP PROMOTION IN VELLORE REGION 2891. THIRU D M KATHIR ANAND: Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state: (a) the details of the schemes/programs implemented in Vellore, Katpadi, K.V. Kuppam, Gudiyattam, Vaniyambadi and Ambur under the aegis of Ministry of Science and Technology; (b) whether local colleges collaborate with national research labs in association with the department of Science and Technology and if so, the details thereof; and (c) the effective measures taken by the Government to promote tech startups in Vellore Lok Sabha Constituency? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH) (a) The Ministry of Science and Technology, through its constituent Departments—namely the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)—has been implementing Central Sector schemes to promote research and development, infrastructure strengthening, skill development, technology deployment, and innovation-led entrepreneurship. These schemes are not state or district specific. However, institutions and individuals from the Vellore region have been availing benefits under various schemes such as:  Under the Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure (FIST) scheme, DST has supported VIT University and Thiruvalluvar University of Vellore, for upgradation of their research laboratories, to promote multidisciplinary research and innovation and to train the manpower.  Under Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) scheme of DST, VIT University has received Page 1 of 3support to undertake mission-oriented research aligned with national priorities, contributing to high-quality research output.  Through State Science and Technology Programme (SSTP) of DST, an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Cell has been established at Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore, through the Patent Information Centre of the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology. This initiative facilitates patent awareness, IPR filing support and innovation protection for researchers, students and entrepreneurs in the region.  Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has supported a significant number of biomedical, diagnostic, therapeutic and digital health research projects at premier institutions such as Christian Medical College, VIT University, C. Abdul Hakeem College, Sri Narayani Hospital and Research Centre, and the Centre for Stem Cell Research, Vellore. These projects encompass translational research, clinical applications, and advanced biotechnology development, thereby contributing to improved healthcare outcomes and the advancement of scientific knowledge.  Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, through CSIR– Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai, has implemented several skill development, training and technology transfer programmes benefiting participants from Vellore, Katpadi, K.V. Kuppam, Gudiyattam, Vaniyambadi and Ambur. These initiatives include diploma programmes, short-term skill enhancement courses, consultancy projects and technology licensing in the leather sector, thereby supporting employment generation and strengthening regional industrial clusters. (b) With the support of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) and Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, have undertaken collaborative and translational research projects in partnership with leading national research laboratories, addressing critical scientific and technological challenges aligned with national priorities. Following are some of the notable collaborative projects supported by DST:  Through the Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AMT) program, VIT University has collaborated with International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad to design and develop surface engineered solutions to enhance corrosion resistance of the solar energy storage container. Page 2 of 3 Through Therapeutic Chemicals-Rare/Orphan Diseases program, CMC, Vellore has collaborated with Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) a constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to focus on developing cost-effective, greener synthesis routes for development of Nitisinone from basic materials for treatment of rare and orphan diseases. (c) The Government has taken several effective measures to promote technology-based start-ups and innovation-driven entrepreneurship in Vellore through national-level initiatives. These measures focus on strengthening incubation infrastructure, providing early-stage funding, enabling industry–academia collaboration and supporting regulatory compliance. Key initiatives and interventions include:  Department of Biotechnology (DBT), through its Public Sector Undertaking Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) has established a Technology Business Incubator at VIT University, Vellore, under the BioNEST programme. This incubator provides comprehensive support including infrastructure, mentorship, funding access and regulatory guidance.  Through Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI) scheme, DBT’s BIRAC has supported C. Abdul Hakeem College, Melvisharam, Vellore, to establish a Regulatory Affairs and Policy Advocacy (RAPA) unit to assist startups in navigating regulatory and policy requirements in Public–Private Partnership mode.  DST through National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) scheme, has established a Technology Business Incubator (TBI) at VIT University, Vellore for providing incubation support to the innovators and start-ups working to convert their idea into products through technical and business mentoring, IP legal support and access to scientific infrastructure. Through VITTBI a number of start-up promotion programs such as NIDHI PRAYAS (for idea to proof of concept grants) and NIDHI Seed Support Program (NIDHI-Seed Support Program: for providing seed funding) are being implemented. ***** Page 3 of 3