**Summary:**
The Vigyan Dhara scheme, initiated on January 16, 2025, by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, supports startups and research institutions across the nation. This scheme was formed by merging three prior initiatives: Science and Technology Institutional and Human Capacity Building; Research and Development; and Innovation, Technology Development and Deployment.
The scheme's beneficiaries have increased since its inception. As of August 12, 2025, NIDHI-SEED support has been extended to 36 Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) nationwide, which, in turn, have provided seed funding to 72 startups. These startups were selected by the Seed Support Management Committees (SSMC) of their respective TBIs based on criteria including the problem statement, proposed solutions, market opportunity, feasibility, novelty, potential impact, and competition.
Vigyan Dhara operates as a central sector scheme at the pan-India level. The total funds allocated and utilized under the scheme since its inception are as follows:
* **2024-25:** Allocation: ₹330.75 crore; Utilized: ₹271.98 crore
* **2025-26:** Allocation: ₹1425 crore; Utilized: ₹984.33 crore
* **Total:** Allocation: ₹1755.75 crore; Utilized: ₹1256.31 crore
A state-wise breakdown of the number of beneficiaries is available in Annexure I of the original document. The states with the highest numbers of beneficiaries are Rajasthan (12424), Uttar Pradesh (13195), and Karnataka (6676).
Key Entities Referenced
Vigyan Dhara Scheme: A central sector scheme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), effective from 16.01.2025, supporting startups and research institutions.
Department of Science and Technology: Ministry under which the Vigyan Dhara scheme is being implemented.
NIDHI-SEED: A support mechanism provided under Vigyan Dhara to Technology Business Incubators (TBIs).
Technology Business Incubators: Institutions (TBIs) across the country provided with NIDHI-SEED support under Vigyan Dhara to further provide Seed funds to Startups.
Andhra Pradesh: One of the states listed as having beneficiaries under the Vigyan Dhara scheme.
Uttar Pradesh: One of the states listed as having beneficiaries under the Vigyan Dhara scheme.
Science and Technology Institutional and Human Capacity Building: One of the umbrella schemes merged into the Vigyan Dhara scheme.
Research and Development: One of the umbrella schemes merged into the Vigyan Dhara scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4399
ANSWERED ON 20/08/2025
START-UPS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS SUPPORTED UNDER
VIGYAN DHARA SCHEME
4399. SMT. ANITA SUBHADARSHINI:
Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the number of beneficiaries under the Vigyan Dhara
Scheme has increased in recent years;
(b) if so, the details of beneficiaries, State-wise;
(c) the number of start-ups and research institutions supported
under Vigyan Dhara Scheme in the States and criteria for their
selection; and
(d) the allocation of fund and utilisation under the said scheme
during last three years, State- wise?
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) to (b): The Vigyan Dhara scheme came into force with effect from
16.01.2025 after the merger of three umbrella schemes namely (1)
Science and Technology Institutional and Human Capacity Building,
(2) Research and Development and (3) Innovation, Technology
Development and Deployment of the Department of Science and
Technology (DST). The number of beneficiaries under the scheme has
increased since its inception and their details, state-wise, are placed
at Annexure-I.
Page 1 of 4(c) Under Vigyan Dhara, NIDHI-SEED support has been provided to
36 Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) across the country. These
TBIs further provided Seed funds to 72 Startups. These Startups were
selected through Seed Support Management Committee (SSMC) of
the respective TBIs using following broad criteria:
Problem statement & proposed solutions
Market opportunity
Feasibility and novelty
Potential impact
Competition
(d) The Vigyan Dhara scheme is a central sector scheme and is
being implemented at pan India level. Total funds allocated and
utilized under Vigyan Dhara, since its inception, are as follows:
Year Allocation Utilized as on 12.08.2025
(Rs. in crore) (Rs. in crore)
2024-25 330.75 271.98
2025-26 1425 984.33
Total 1755.75 1256.31
Page 2 of 4Annexure-I
State-wise number of beneficiaries under Vigyan Dhara scheme
Sl. No. Name of States/UTs No. of beneficiaries
1.
Andhra Pradesh 3816
2.
Arunachal Pradesh 30
3.
Assam 491
4.
Bihar 2517
5.
Chhattisgarh 3812
6.
Goa 112
7.
Gujarat 1561
8.
Haryana 1138
9.
Himachal Pradesh 753
10.
Jharkhand 1968
11.
Karnataka 6676
12.
Kerala 1278
13.
Madhya Pradesh 3963
14.
Maharashtra 3303
15.
Manipur 262
16.
Meghalaya 90
17.
Mizoram 28
18.
Nagaland 18
19.
Orissa 3749
20.
Punjab 687
21.
Rajasthan 12424
Page 3 of 4Sl. No. Name of States/UTs No. of beneficiaries
22.
Sikkim 36
23.
Tamil Nadu 1707
24.
Telangana 3679
25.
Tripura 81
26.
Uttarakhand 2661
27.
Uttar Pradesh 13195
28.
West Bengal 1570
29.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands 24
30.
Chandigarh 283
31. D adra and Nagar Haveli and
20
Daman and Diu
32.
Jammu and Kashmir 1183
33.
Delhi 1155
34.
Ladakh 21
35.
Lakshadweep 5
36.
Pondicherry 83
*****
Page 4 of 4