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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3989
ANSWERED ON 12/08/2026
OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESEARCHERS, INNOVATORS AND TECHNOLOGY
PROFESSIONALS
3989. THIRU Dr. S JAGATHRATCHAKAN:
Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government's assessment of the implications of
declining research funding in the United State and the parallel rise of
China in science and technology for the country's research, innovation
and technological capabilities and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the initiatives undertaken by the Government to strengthen
research and development infrastructure, expand funding support,
promote innovation and enhance collaboration among academic,
scientific and industrial institutions and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the measures taken to prevent outflow of scientific talent,
encourage high-quality research and create attractive opportunities for
researchers, innovators and technology professionals within the country;
and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to strengthen capabilities in
Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, biosciences, advanced
materials and other frontier areas of science and technology?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) The Government continuously monitors and assesses global
developments in science, technology and innovation, including trends in
research funding, scientific output, emerging technologies and
international collaborations. The Government has taken note of the level
of investments by several countries, including United States and China, in
science and technology sectors and recognized the emergence of a
Page 1 of 3strategic opportunity for India to reduce dependence on external research
ecosystems with stable and substantially higher research funding. While
countries like China creates competitive pressure, India has created
opportunities for diversified partnerships, learning and strategic
positioning in research and innovation sectors. The multipronged
strategies include initiatives of scientific departments and agencies to (i)
attract and retain the best global talent, (ii) invest in long-term scientific
infrastructure for frontier research, (iii) accelerate strategic and dual-use
technologies, and (iv) promote deep-tech innovations to ensure India’s
sustained position in the global value chain.
(b) The Government has undertaken several initiatives to strengthen
research and development (R&D) infrastructure, expand funding support,
promote innovation and enhance collaboration among academia, research
institutions and industry. Major initiatives include: Sector specific
missions like National Green Hydrogen mission, India AI Mission, India
Semiconductor Mission, National Quantum Mission; implementation of
Vigyan Dhara, an integrated umbrella scheme of the Department of
Science and Technology (DST) for science and technology capacity
building, research support and innovation promotion; CSIR incubation
centres across its labs to comprehensively provide scientific support for
R&D, prototyping facilities, use of R&D equipment for analytical
measurements, and advisory/ consulting services for navigating
challenges; establishing of Indian Science, Technology and Engineering
Facilities Map (I-STEM) that maximises utilisation of India’s publicly
funded research infrastructure by making advanced scientific facilities
discoverable and accessible through a unified digital platform; and
specialized funding opportunities such as the Research, Development and
Innovation (RDI) Fund; Deep Tech Fund of Funds to support private
industry and startups in undertaking high-risk, high-impact R&D in sunrise
sectors in partnership with public research institutions. There has been a
significant increase in the funding for research and development through
the Ministry of Science and Technology in recent years, from ₹14,794.03
crore (2021-22) to ₹38,613.32 crore (2025-26), which has significantly
contributed to improve India’s position in the Global Innovation Index.
(c) The Ministry of Science and Technology has formulated several
schemes to retain talent in the country. The extramural funding schemes
of DST and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Fellowship schemes
of DST, DBT, Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and
Page 2 of 3Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have been designed
to encourage scientists to do quality research in the country. Several
schemes / programmes for building research infrastructure for enhancing
research capabilities and several high-stake technology missions have
been instituted. Special attention has been given to young scientists for
making them independent and motivate them to continue their research
in the country. The Government has consistently increased the budget
allocation for science and research. Significant opportunities have been
created by recent launching of the ₹1.0 lakh crore RDI Fund as well as
expansion of S&T led start-ups. Further, the Flexible Complementing
Scheme/ Merit based promotion scheme positioned in scientific
departments and introduction of Performance Related Incentive Scheme
(PRIS) in strategic Departments have also been instrumental in recruiting
and retaining the scientists.
(d) Government has taken several significant steps to strengthen
capabilities in Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum technologies,
biosciences, advanced materials and other frontier areas of science and
technology. Missions such as the IndiaAI Mission, dedicated for building
AI computing infrastructure, datasets, skilling, innovation and startup;
National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems, with
creation of 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) including upgrading 4
TIHs to Technology Translation Parks in premier academic institutions;
National Quantum Mission, with creation of four thematic hubs in
advancing quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum
sensing and quantum materials technologies; BIOE3 (Biotechnology for
Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy for accelerating high-
performance biomanufacturing and biotechnology innovation have
created a vibrant S&T ecosystem in the country. Advanced materials
research has been supported through national facilities, mission
programmes and collaborative research initiatives in areas such as
semiconductors, energy materials, functional materials and
nanotechnology. These initiatives are aimed at enhancing India’s
scientific excellence, technological self-reliance, innovation capacity and
global competitiveness in emerging and strategic sectors.
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