On February 4, 2026, the Lok Sabha addressed Unstarred Question No. 775 regarding Vernacular Innovation Centers (VICs). Shri Appalanaidu Kalisetti inquired about the Language Inclusive Programme for Innovation (LIPI) which included the number of proposals received for VICs, the status of VIC establishment, the total funds allocated, released, and utilized for VICs, the number of individuals supported through VICs and evaluation measures.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) Rao Inderjit Singh (Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation; Ministry of Planning; and Ministry of Culture) responded that the call for applications for VICs under LIPI has not yet been launched, therefore, there are no centers currently operational or under implementation. A total of Rs. 90 Cr has been allocated for 30 LIPI Centers, but no funds have been released or utilized as the centers are not yet established. As a result, the questions regarding support and evaluation are not applicable at this time.
Key Entities Referenced
Language Inclusive Programme for Innovation (LIPI): A program for setting up Vernacular Innovation Centers (VICs).
Vernacular Innovation Centres (VICs): Innovation centers under the Language Inclusive Programme for Innovation (LIPI).
MINISTRY OF PLANNING: The government ministry responsible for the Language Inclusive Programme for Innovation (LIPI).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PLANNING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 775
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026
VERNACULAR INNOVATION CENTRES
775. SHRI APPALANAIDU KALISETTI
Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:
(a) the number of proposals received for setting up of Vernacular
innovation Centers (VICs) under the Language Inclusive
Programme for Innovation (LIPI) along with the details of the
number of such centres approved, rejected and under
construction;
(b) the present status of establishment of VICs including the
details of the number of centres operational and under
implementation, State wise;
(c) the total funds allocated, released and utilized for the
establishment and functioning of VICs since inception of LIPI,
Year and State wise;
(d) the number of innovators, students, startups and first
generation learners supported through VICs including the
details of languages in which innovation, design thinking and
mentorship modules are being delivered; and
(e) whether any third party evaluation has been conducted or is
proposed to assess the effectiveness of VICs in improving
access to the national innovation ecosystem and if so, the
details thereof?
Page 1 of 2ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY
OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION; MINISTER
OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF
PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF
CULTURE
(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)
(a) & (b) The call for applications for setting up Vernacular
Innovation Centres (VICs) under the Language Inclusive
Programme of Innovation (LIPI) has not been launched yet.
Hence, there are no centres as of now or under implementation.
(c) The total funds allocated for LIPI Centres is Rs. 90 Cr for 30
Centres. No grant has been released/utilized as the centres are
not established yet.
(d) & (e) In view of the reply to (a) & (b) above, question does not
arise.
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