**Summary:**
The Department of Science and Technology (DST), through its Science for Equity, Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division, implements the Strengthening, Upscaling Nurturing Innovations for Livelihood (SUNIL) programme. As of July 30, 2025, DST has received 40 proposals from the State of Andhra Pradesh following a call for proposals in March-April 2025; these proposals are currently under evaluation. Over the past five years, the SUNIL program has supported 7 Knowledge Institutions (KI) and 7 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) as project implementation partners.
As of the reporting date, DST has disbursed a total of Rs. 610.84 Lakhs for project implementation, with Rs. 529.14 Lakhs utilized by the implementing agencies. State-wise disbursements include: Uttar Pradesh (Rs. 85.95 Lakhs), Delhi (Rs. 138.896 Lakhs), Uttarakhand (Rs. 93.975 Lakhs), Maharashtra (Rs. 93.6253 Lakhs), Karnataka (Rs. 62.3332 Lakhs), Tripura (Rs. 103.428 Lakhs), and Rajasthan (Rs. 32.64 Lakhs).
Projects supported under the SUNIL program are monitored through annual performance reviews, group monitoring workshops, and field visits. Preliminary feedback indicates positive outcomes, including capacity building, skill enhancement, enhanced livelihood opportunities, income diversification, adoption of efficient technologies, and support for grassroots innovations and sustainable rural enterprises. The information was provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Science and Technology: A department within the Ministry of Science and Technology responsible for implementing the SUNIL programme through its SEED Division.
Science for Equity, Empowerment Development: SEED Division of DST, responsible for implementing the Strengthening, Upscaling Nurturing Innovations for Livelihood SUNIL programme
Strengthening, Upscaling Nurturing Innovations for Livelihood: A programme (SUNIL) implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) through its SEED Division, aimed at strengthening and upscaling local innovations for livelihood.
State of Andhra Pradesh: Indian state from which DST received 40 proposals under the SUNIL program.
Uttar Pradesh: Indian state where Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group is implementing SUNIL Program
Delhi: Union Territory of India where Society For Development Alternatives is implementing SUNIL Program
Uttarakhand: Indian state where People's Science Institute and ICAR KVK, Dhanauri, Haridwar is implementing SUNIL Program
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space.
Ministry of Science & Technology
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: STRENGTHENING,
UPSCALING & NURTURING LOCAL
INNOVATIONS FOR LIVELIHOOD SCHEME
Posted On: 30 JUL 2025 3:35PM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Science and Technology (DST), through its Science for Equity, Empowerment &
Development (SEED) Division, implements the Strengthening, Upscaling & Nurturing Innovations for
Livelihood (SUNIL) programme. DST received 40 proposals from State of Andhra Pradesh under the recent
‘Call for proposal’ launched during March-April, 2025. The proposals received under the call are being
evaluated as per the extant process of the Department.
Under SUNIL programme, 7 Knowledge Institutions (KI) and 7 Non-Governmental Organizations
(NGOs) as project implementation partners have been supported during the last five years. The
details of state-wiseimplementing agencies and funds disbursed under the SUNIL programme are
as under:
Amount Released (Rs. in Lakhs)
State
S. No. State Name Implementing KI & NGO
2023-24 2024-25 wise
Total
1. Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group,
1. Uttar Pradesh Gorakhpur 85.95 - 85.95
2. Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
1. Society For Development Alternatives,
2. Delhi New Delhi 64.89608 74.00 138.896
2. Indian Institute of Education, Pune
1. People's Science Institute, Dehradun
3. Uttarakhand 93.975 - 93.975
2. ICAR KVK, Dhanauri, Haridwar
1. Vigyan Ashram, Pune
4. Maharashtra 53.6253 40.00 93.6253
2. SavitribaiPhule Pune University, Pune
1. University of Agricultural Sciences,
Dharwad
5. Karnataka 62.3332 - 62.3332
2. Society for Community Participation &
Empowerment, Dharwad
1. N B Institute of Rural Technology
6. Tripura (NBIRT), Tripura 77.42759 26.00 103.428
2. Visva Bharti University, Tripura
1. MaharanaPratap University of Agriculture
and Technology, Udaipur
7. Rajasthan 20.00 12.64 32.64
2. Consumer Unity and Trust Society
(CUTS), Jaipur
DST disbursed an amount of Rs. 610.84 Lakhs till date for implementation of these projects and Rs.529.14Lakhs was utilized by implementing agencies.
The projects supported under SUNIL programme are monitored regularly through Annual
Performance Review, Group Monitoring Workshops and Field Visits to assess the progress and
outcomes. Preliminary feedback from Expert Committee, Implementing Institutions & Principal
Investigators indicates positive outcomes and impact in terms of capacity building and skill
enhancement of EWS. Review further suggests enhanced livelihoods opportunities, income
diversification via agri-tech & poultry, bamboo, water-efficient agriculture, adoption of ergonomically
efficient technologies, support to grassroots innovations & sustainable S&T based rural enterprises
in implemented areas.
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for
Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances &
Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Lok
Sabha today.
***
NKR/PSM
(Release ID: 2150130)