**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer to Unstarred Question No. 681 in Lok Sabha, answered on March 12, 2025, addressing the steps taken by the Government of India to promote scientific research and innovation in Punjab's universities and institutes, including the establishment of technology parks and incubators. The response details various initiatives and schemes implemented by the Ministry of Science and Technology through the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Department of Biotechnology.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Government Support for Research and Innovation:**
* The Government is actively supporting scientific research and innovation in Punjab through various schemes/initiatives.
* Under the National Quantum Mission, the DST has supported the creation of facilities at IIT Ropar (Quantum Computing and Quantum Sensing & Metrology) and IISER Mohali (Quantum Communication).
* Under FIST, 25 academic institutions in Punjab have been supported.
* Under the PURSE scheme, two universities have been supported to strengthen R&D infrastructure.
* The DST has supported several R&D projects in universities and institutes in Punjab to promote indigenous innovation in clean energy and water.
* The DST's INST, Mohali pursues cutting-edge research in interdisciplinary nano science and technology.
* Under the Science and Heritage Research Initiative (SHRI), the DST has supported projects aimed at developing viable technologies addressing cultural heritage.
* ANRF promotes R&D and fosters a research and innovation culture in Punjab. ANRF has sanctioned projects in the last three years to support research.
* CSIR laboratories (CSIR-CSIO and CSIR-IMT, Chandigarh) have taken steps to promote scientific research and innovation in Punjab.
* **Technology Parks and Incubators:**
* Under the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI), DST has established Inclusive-Technology Business Incubators (I-TBI) at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, and Central University of Punjab, Bathinda.
* Under the NIDHI TBI program, the DST has established Technology Business Incubators at IISER, Mohali, Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology Jalandhar (NIT), Jalandhar; Lovely Professional University, Phagwara; and Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana.
* DST established Technology Innovation Hub at IIT Ropar specializing in agriculture and water technologies.
* DST supported the creation of the Nanobio Incubation Center at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali.
* The Department of Biotechnology has established BioNEST incubation centers at National Agri Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Mohali, and E-YUVA centers at Central University of Punjab, Bathinda and Panjab University, Chandigarh.
* A total of 64 fellows and incubatees have been supported across these biotechnology incubation centers.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Universities and Institutes in Punjab**
* **Impact:** Beneficiaries of government funding and support for research and development activities. Increased access to infrastructure and resources to conduct mission-oriented research. Opportunities to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among students and researchers.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the funding and resources provided to strengthen research capabilities, develop innovative solutions, and promote entrepreneurship within their institutions.
**Stakeholder: Students and Researchers in Punjab**
* **Impact:** Increased opportunities for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in various fields, including quantum computing, nanotechnology, biotechnology, agriculture, and water management. Access to incubation centers and support for translating research into successful startups.
* **Action Required:** Engage in research activities, utilize available resources and support, and explore entrepreneurial opportunities to translate research findings into practical applications.
**Stakeholder: Innovators and Entrepreneurs in Punjab**
* **Impact:** Access to incubation facilities, funding opportunities, and mentorship to develop and commercialize innovative ideas in various sectors.
* **Action Required:** Participate in incubator programs, seek funding opportunities, and leverage mentorship to develop and scale innovative businesses.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Science and Technology (DST): The primary government department responsible for promoting scientific research and innovation in Punjab, involved in establishing and supporting various programs and initiatives.
Punjab: The Indian state where scientific research and innovation activities are being promoted, with specific universities and institutes mentioned.
National Quantum Mission: A program under which the DST supported the creation of facilities at Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar in the area of Quantum Computing.
Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in Universities and Higher Educational Institutions (FIST): A program under which 25 academic institutions have been supported in the state of Punjab.
Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE): A scheme under which two universities have been supported to strengthen the research and development infrastructure
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 681
ANSWERED ON 03/12/2025
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN PUNJAB UNIVERSITIES AND
INSTITUTES
681. SHRI MALVINDER SINGH KANG:
Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:
(a) the details of steps being taken by the Government to promote
scientific research and innovation in Punjab's universities and institutes;
(b) whether the Government has initiated any major technology parks or
incubators specifically in Punjab; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and their outcomes?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) The Government has been actively supporting scientific research and
innovation through various schemes/initiatives across the country,
including different institutes and universities in the state of Punjab.
Department of Science and Technology, under the National Quantum
Mission, has supported creation of facilities at Indian Institute of
Technology, Ropar in the area of Quantum Computing and Quantum
Sensing & Metrology, and at Indian Institute of Science Education and
Research (IISER) Mohali in the area of Quantum Communication.
Under Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in Universities and
Higher Educational Institutions (FIST) program, 25 academic institutions
have been supported in the state of Punjab. Under Promotion of University
Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) scheme, two universities have
been supported to strengthen the research and development (R&D)
infrastructure, enabling them to conduct mission-oriented research in
various areas aligned with national priorities.
Page 1 of 3To promote indigenous innovation in clean energy and water, DST
has supported several R&D projects in universities and institutes of Punjab,
such as Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana; IISER, Mohali; Plaksha
University, Mohali; Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology,
Jalandhar and IIT Ropar. DST’s Institute of Nano Science and Technology
(INST), Mohali has been pursuing cutting edge research in several
interdisciplinary subjects in the realm of nano science and technology.
Under the Science and Heritage Research Initiative (SHRI), DST has
supported projects in Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana; Dr B.R.
Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar; Punjab Remote
Sensing Centre (PRSC), Ludhiana and IISER, Mohali for developing viable
technologies to address cultural heritage related issues.
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has been
promoting research and development and fostering a culture of research
and innovation in various Universities, Colleges, Research Institutions,
and R&D laboratories of Punjab. ANRF (erstwhile Science and Engineering
Research Board - SERB) has sanctioned following number of projects
during last three years under different programs to support research in the
state of Punjab.
Financial Year Total number of projects sanctioned
2022-23 116
2023-24 103
2024-25 38
2025-26 (Till date) 29
The constituents laboratories of Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR) namely, CSIR-Central Scientific Instruments Organisation
(CSIR-CSIO), Chandigarh and CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (CSIR-
IMT), Chandigarh have undertaken several steps to promote the scientific
research and innovation in Punjab’s universities and institutes.
(b) to (c): Department of Science and Technology, under the National
Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI), has
established Inclusive-Technology Business Incubator (I-TBI) at Guru
Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana and
Central University of Punjab, Bathinda to nurture innovative ideas of
innovators and entrepreneurs in the nearby regions. Under the NIDHI TBI
program, DST has established Technology Business Incubator at IISER,
Page 2 of 3Mohali; Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology Jalandhar (NIT),
Jalandhar; Lovely Professional University, Phagwara; and Punjab
Agriculture University, Ludhiana; for providing support and nurturing
knowledge driven innovative start-ups into successful enterprises. These
centres have supported more than 65 startups working in various fields of
Science and Technology like Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Agriculture,
Dairy etc.
DST, under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical
Systems (NM-ICPS) has established Technology Innovation Hub at IIT
Ropar, specializing in agriculture and water technologies. The Hub actively
fosters collaborations between academia and industry, particularly in
areas such as agriculture, water management, and related domains across
the country.
DST has supported the establishment of a nanotechnology-focused
incubator in Punjab. This initiative has led to the creation of the Nanobio
Incubation Center at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali.
The centre nurtures innovations in healthcare, agriculture, environmental
sustainability and related sectors.
The Department of Biotechnology has established the a BioNEST
incubation centres at National Agri Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI),
Mohali; E-YUVA Centre at Central University of Punjab, Bathinda and a
BioNEST incubation centre and an E-YUVA Centre at Panjab University,
Chandigarh to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the domain of
biotechnology. These Incubation centres have supported a total of 64
fellows and incubatees, fostering translational research and
entrepreneurship among students and researchers in the state of Punjab.
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