Major Science and Technology Missions and Schemes of India

India’s science and technology landscape is guided by targeted national missions and central schemes designed to build research infrastructure, advance high-tech industries, and promote innovation. Administered by agencies including the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), these initiatives support fundamental scientific discovery alongside practical technological applications.

Governance and Research Funding Architecture

Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

• The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023 established ANRF as an apex body to seed, grow, and promote research, innovation, and enterprise across universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.
• ANRF replaced the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and operates under the administrative control of the Department of Science and Technology.
• The Prime Minister serves as the ex-officio President of the Governing Board, while the Union Ministers of Science and Technology and Education serve as Vice-Presidents.
• The foundation operates with a total budgeted outlay of ₹50,000 crore over five years, with over 70% expected to come from private sector contributions and industry partnerships.

Technology Development Board (TDB)

• Established as a statutory body in 1996 under the Technology Development Board Act, 1995, TDB provides financial assistance to industrial concerns and research institutions.
• It facilitates the commercialization of indigenous technologies and adapts imported technologies for domestic manufacturing.

Key National Science and Technology Missions

National Quantum Mission (NQM)

• Approved in April 2023 with an outlay of ₹6,003.65 crore for the period 2023–24 to 2030–31, NQM aims to establish India as a global leader in quantum technologies.
• The mission targets the development of intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50 to 1,000 physical qubits across superconducting and photonic platforms within eight years.
• Key deliverables include satellite-based secure quantum communications over 2,000 kilometers, inter-city quantum key distribution (QKD), and atomic clocks for precision navigation.
• It operates through four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs): Quantum Computing (IISc Bengaluru), Quantum Communication (IIT Madras and C-DOT Delhi), Quantum Sensing & Metrology (IIT Bombay), and Quantum Materials & Devices (IIT Delhi).

Deep Ocean Mission (DOM)

• Approved in 2021 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences with an estimated budget of ₹4,077 crore over five years, DOM targets deep-sea exploration and sustainable utilization of ocean resources.
• Its flagship project includes developing MATSYA 6000, a manned submersible capable of carrying three personnel to a depth of 6,000 meters in the ocean.
• The mission develops technology for mining polymetallic nodules, which contain nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese, from the Central Indian Ocean Basin allocated by the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)

• Launched in 2015 with a budget of ₹4,500 crore over seven years, NSM is jointly implemented by DST and MeitY through the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
• The mission seeks to build a network of over 70 high-performance computing facilities across academic and research institutions connected via the National Knowledge Network (NKN).
• PARAM Shivay was the first indigenously assembled supercomputer under NSM, installed at IIT (BHU) Varanasi. PARAM Ananta, PARAM Porul, and PARAM Ganga followed at other premier centers.

National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS)

• Approved in 2018 with an outlay of ₹3,660 crore over five years, NM-ICPS addresses research in artificial intelligence, robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics, and quantum computing.
• The implementation framework created 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) across academic institutions to support technology translation, incubation, and skill development.

India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)

• Launched in December 2021 under MeitY with a total financial outlay of ₹76,000 crore, ISM aims to build a sustainable semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem.
• It provides up to 50% fiscal support for setting up silicon semiconductor fabs, display fabs, compound semiconductor facilities, and semiconductor assembly, testing, marking, and packaging (ATMP) units.

Major Human Resource and Societal Schemes

VAIBHAV (Vaishvik Bharatiya Vaigyanik) Fellowship

• Launched in 2023 by DST, the scheme connects the Indian diaspora with domestic academic and R&D institutions.
• Non-Resident Indian (NRI), Person of Indian Origin (PIO), and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) researchers are supported to work in higher educational institutions in India for 1 to 2 months per year for up to three years.

INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research)

• Implemented by DST, INSPIRE attracts young talent to the study of science from an early age without conducting competitive exams.
• It comprises three key components: Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent (INSPIRE Award-MANAK for school children), Higher Education Scholarship (SHE), and Assured Opportunity for Research Careers (AORC for doctoral and post-doctoral research).

IMPRINT (Impacting Research Innovation and Technology)

• A joint initiative of the Ministry of Education and DST, IMPRINT addresses engineering and technology challenges across ten core domains including health care, energy, security, and housing.
• It bridges the gap between academic research output and direct industrial deployment.

SERB-POWER (Promoting Opportunities For Women in Exploratory Research)

• Formulated by the Science and Engineering Research Board to mitigate gender disparity in science and engineering research.
• It offers two structured components: POWER Fellowships for outstanding women researchers and POWER Research Grants for exploratory projects.

Comparison of Major S&T National Missions

Core Facts on Major Science and Technology Missions

• The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) replaced the Science and Engineering Research Board through an Act of Parliament in 2023.
• The Prime Minister serves as the ex-officio President of the Governing Board of ANRF.
• National Quantum Mission makes India one of a select group of nations with a dedicated quantum technology roadmap.
• MATSYA 6000 is the deep-submergence vehicle developed under the Deep Ocean Mission to take humans to ocean depths of 6,000 meters.
• The International Seabed Authority granted India exploration rights for polymetallic nodules in the Central Indian Ocean Basin.
• PARAM Shivay was the first supercomputer deployed under the National Supercomputing Mission at IIT (BHU) Varanasi.
• Technology Innovation Hubs under NM-ICPS function as independent Section 8 non-profit companies at host academic institutes.
• India Semiconductor Mission operates under Digital India Corporation to handle fiscal subsidies for fab units.
• The VAIBHAV fellowship specifically targets researchers from the Indian diaspora including NRIs, PIOs, and OCIs.
• INSPIRE Award-MANAK operates jointly with the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) to collect creative technological ideas from school children.