Parliament Question: Technologically Upgrade/Commercialised by National Innovation Foundation

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2871 ANSWERED ON 05/08/2026 TECHNOLOGICALLY UPGRADE/COMMERCIALISED BY NATIONAL INNOVATION FOUNDATION †2871. DR. ANAND KUMAR: Will the Minister of Science and Technology be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken any special initiative for the identification, documentation, preservation and promotion of traditional knowledge, rural technologies and local innovations in Uttar Pradesh particularly in the aspirational district of Bahraich as such traditional knowledge and technologies are gradually fading away over time due to a lack of documentation and if so, the details thereof; (b) the details and number of local innovations from Uttar Pradesh and Bahraich that have been documented, patented, technologically upgraded or commercialised by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) or other institutions during the last five years; (c) whether the Government is providing financial, technical and marketing support to rural innovators; and (d) if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH) (a) The National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India, an Autonomous Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), serves as India's national initiative to strengthen grassroots technological innovations and outstanding traditional knowledge. NIF has the mandate of identification, documentation, preservation and promotion of traditional knowledge, rural technologies and local innovations across the Country, including Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh. NIF actively scouts, supports, and spawns grassroots technological innovations developed by individuals and local Page 1 of 2communities across any technological field without reliance on the formal sector. (b) NIF has identified and documented over 1000 ideas, innovations and traditional knowledge examples from Uttar Pradesh including Bahraich district during the last five years. NIF has filed 5 patents in the name of grassroots/student innovators from Uttar Pradesh while 11 patents have been granted in the names of innovators/knowledge holders. Further, 9 plant varieties developed by farmers were filed for registration under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001, out of which 3 varieties have been successfully granted registration. 7 innovators were supported for prototype development, 9 grassroots technologies were upgraded and 9 grassroots technologies have been licensed to various companies during the last five years. (c) to (d): Yes. NIF provides financial support for prototype/product development along with technical mentoring. Once a technology is ready for the market, NIF facilitates market or social diffusion linkages and/or helps innovator become an entrepreneur by providing business mentorship. The Government through various other key initiatives like A Scheme for Promotion of Innovation, Rural Industries and Entrepreneurship (ASPIRE), Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) and RKVY Agri-Startup Programme supports rural innovators through financial grants, technical mentorship and market access. ***** Page 2 of 2