NITI Aayog Unveils Strategic Roadmap to Strengthen State S&T Councils for a Viksit Bharat by 2047

New Delhi: On July 10, 2025, NITI Aayog launched A Roadmap for Strengthening State S&T Councils to boost decentralized innovation in India, aligning with Viksit Bharat by 2047. Unveiled by Vice Chairman Shri Suman Bery, with Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology, and Dr. V.K. Saraswat, the report outlines strategies to empower State S&T Councils. Attendees included Dr. N. Kalaiselvi (CSIR), Dr. M. Ravichandran (MoES), Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman (ANRF), and senior officials from DST, DBT, and MeitY, highlighting strong institutional backing for transforming councils into innovation drivers.

Genesis and Strategic Intent of the Roadmap

The Roadmap for Strengthening State S&T Councils is the culmination of an inclusive, multi-stakeholder engagement process, including regional consultations and a national workshop. Prof. Vivek Kumar Singh, Senior Adviser at NITI Aayog, set the context during the launch, emphasizing the critical role of State S&T Councils in bridging national science and technology policies with local developmental needs. Established in 1971 under the National Council for Science and Technology, these councils have historically served as vital conduits for decentralizing scientific governance, enabling states to tailor research and innovation to their unique socioeconomic conditions. However, the report highlights that these councils face significant challenges in keeping pace with the rapidly evolving research and development (R&D) landscape, necessitating a strategic overhaul.

Dr. V.K. Saraswat, reflecting on the evolving role of State S&T Councils, stressed the need for enhanced techno-administrative leadership and robust Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) data systems. He advocated for integrating research institutions, industries, and grassroots innovators into a cohesive platform, stating, “To respond to the demands of the 21st century, our State S&T Councils must operate not only as administrative units but as integrated innovation ecosystems.” This vision underscores the report’s ambition to transform these councils into mission-oriented institutions capable of driving regionally relevant and nationally aligned scientific advancements.

Key Challenges Facing State S&T Councils

The report identifies several critical challenges hampering the effectiveness of State S&T Councils:

1. Inadequate Financial Resources and Utilization Issues: Uneven funding and delayed budgets severely limit the councils’ operational capabilities and research sustainability. For instance, of Gujarat’s ₹300 crore annual S&T budget, only ₹1.07 crore comes from the Central government, while Kerala’s ₹150 crore budget receives no central contribution from the DST. This over-reliance on limited core grants and inadequate efforts to secure project-based funding from various central ministries and agencies have been major weaknesses.
2. Shortage of Skilled Manpower: Many councils suffer from unfilled scientific positions and a poor work culture, which significantly reduces research output. The report highlights a critical need for skilled professionals to drive innovation effectively.
3. Weak Inter-Institutional and Industry Linkages: Limited global exposure and poor technology transfer mechanisms hinder collaboration between research institutions, industries, and grassroots innovators, stifling innovation ecosystems.
4. Regulatory and Administrative Bottlenecks: These lead to delays and unaccountability, further undermining the councils’ ability to execute projects efficiently.

The report also notes a significant disparity in budget allocations across states, raising concerns about regional imbalances in S&T development. For example, a comparative budget analysis for 2023-24 and 2024-25 revealed a 17.65% increase in total funding for State S&T Councils, reflecting growing investment in scientific research. However, states like Kerala (₹173.34 crore), Haryana (₹130 crore), and Uttar Pradesh (₹140 crore) utilized higher budgets, while Maharashtra saw a remarkable 130% budget surge. In contrast, states like Sikkim (-16.16%), Tamil Nadu (-4%), and Uttarakhand (-5%) faced budget cuts, potentially jeopardizing ongoing projects and indicating neglect of S&T infrastructure in certain regions.

NITI Aayog’s Recommendations for Transformation

To address these challenges and empower State S&T Councils, NITI Aayog proposes a multi-pronged strategy focusing on financial support, human resources, collaboration, and governance:

Financial Support and Resources

• Increased State Funding: The report recommends that state governments allocate at least 0.5% of their Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) to S&T budgets to ensure sustainable funding for research and innovation.
• Shift to Project-Based Funding: Moving away from core grants provided by the Central government, the report advocates for project-based and performance-based grants to enhance accountability and efficiency. It notes that central funds, primarily from the DST, constitute a minuscule portion of state S&T budgets, underscoring the need for states to tap into diverse funding sources.

Human Resources

• Optimal Staffing Ratios: The report suggests maintaining a 70:30 ratio of scientific to non-scientific staff to ensure a robust research workforce.
• Capacity Building: Enhancing capabilities through faculty and researcher secondment and leveraging the expertise of retired scientists from central institutions can address the shortage of skilled manpower.

Collaboration and Linkages

• Industry and Institutional Partnerships: The report emphasizes the need for stronger ties with industries and public sector enterprises within states. It recommends redirecting resources to state-funded universities rather than centrally funded research institutes to foster localized innovation.
• Thematic State Clusters: Dr. Jitendra Singh proposed strategic coupling of states based on shared sectoral priorities, such as biotechnology, clean energy, or agri-innovation. These thematic clusters would enable states to pool resources, share knowledge, and build collective strength in areas of mutual interest.

Governance and Innovation Ecosystems

• Improved Governance Structures: The report calls for streamlined administrative processes to reduce delays and enhance accountability.
• Industry Co-Financing: Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that states should not rely solely on government allocations but engage industries as partners in the innovation value chain through co-financing mechanisms.
• STI Data Systems: Robust data systems are essential for tracking progress and aligning state-level efforts with national priorities.

The Role of State S&T Councils in India’s Scientific Landscape

State S&T Councils have been instrumental in funding scientific research, science popularization, patent applications, and policy-support activities since the 1970s. Between 2016 and 2022, the DST supported 28 states and 3 Union Territories through these councils. However, the report highlights that the bulk of India’s scientific output currently comes from centrally funded institutions, with state-administered institutions lagging behind. To accelerate India’s S&T advancements, the report underscores the need for a collective effort involving both central and state institutions, with State S&T Councils playing a pivotal role.

Shri Suman Bery emphasized embedding science and technology within the broader framework of federal governance, noting, “State S&T Councils can act as catalytic enablers of innovation when empowered with the right tools, leadership, and autonomy.” This roadmap aims to build the institutional backbone required for locally relevant and nationally aligned scientific progress, fostering a paradigm shift in how these councils operate.

Launch Event and Broader Implications

The launch event on July 10, 2025, in New Delhi, was a testament to the wide institutional backing for this initiative. The presence of senior officials from various scientific departments and ministries, along with NITI Aayog division heads, highlighted the collaborative spirit driving this roadmap. The report’s recommendations are poised to catalyze a transformation in India’s S&T ecosystem, enabling State S&T Councils to evolve into dynamic institutions that drive regionally anchored innovation.

Dr. Jitendra Singh’s keynote address underscored the strategic importance of mission-oriented councils, urging states to align their S&T efforts with local developmental priorities. His call for greater industry engagement and thematic state clusters reflects a forward-looking approach to fostering innovation ecosystems that are both collaborative and competitive.

Conclusion: Towards a Viksit Bharat

The Roadmap for Strengthening State S&T Councils is a bold step towards realizing India’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. By addressing critical challenges such as inadequate funding, manpower shortages, and weak linkages, and by proposing targeted solutions like increased state budgets, project-based funding, and industry partnerships, NITI Aayog has laid the foundation for a more coordinated, well-governed, and sustainably funded network of State S&T Councils. As these councils evolve into integrated innovation ecosystems, they are poised to play a central role in driving India’s scientific and technological advancement, ensuring that innovation is not only centralized but also deeply rooted in the diverse needs and strengths of India’s states.

This strategic roadmap is a call to action for states, industries, and research institutions to collaborate in building a robust S&T ecosystem that powers India’s journey towards becoming a global innovation leader. With sustained commitment and implementation, the vision of a decentralized, inclusive, and impactful innovation landscape is within reach.

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