Major Science and Technology Missions and Schemes

India’s science and technology policy is anchored in targeted missions and central schemes that fund research, build advanced infrastructure, and support innovation. These initiatives are led by bodies such as DST, DBT, MoES and MeitY, and cover areas from quantum computing and supercomputing to deep ocean exploration and semiconductor manufacturing.

Governance and Research Funding

Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) was established under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023 as an apex body to seed, grow and promote research, innovation and enterprise across universities, colleges, research institutions and R&D laboratories. It replaced the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and functions under the administrative control of the Department of Science and Technology.

• Leadership: The Prime Minister is the ex-officio President of the Governing Board.
• Vice-Presidents: The Union Ministers of Science and Technology and Education serve as Vice-Presidents.
• Outlay: ₹50,000 crore over five years.
• Funding model: Over 70% is expected from private sector contributions and industry partnerships.

Technology Development Board (TDB) is a statutory body established in 1996 under the Technology Development Board Act, 1995. It provides financial assistance to industrial concerns and research institutions for commercialization of indigenous technologies and adaptation of imported technologies for domestic manufacturing.

Major National Science and Technology Missions

National Quantum Mission (NQM) was approved in April 2023 with an outlay of ₹6,003.65 crore for 2023–24 to 2030–31. It aims to place India among the global leaders in quantum technologies.

• Core target: Development of intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50 to 1,000 physical qubits.
• Platforms: Superconducting and photonic platforms.
• Quantum communication: Satellite-based secure quantum communications over 2,000 km and inter-city quantum key distribution (QKD).
• Precision systems: Atomic clocks for precision navigation.
• Thematic Hubs: Quantum Computing at IISc Bengaluru; Quantum Communication at IIT Madras and C-DOT Delhi; Quantum Sensing & Metrology at IIT Bombay; Quantum Materials & Devices at IIT Delhi.

Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) was approved in 2021 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences with an estimated budget of ₹4,077 crore over five years. It focuses on deep-sea exploration and sustainable use of ocean resources.

• Flagship project: MATSYA 6000, a manned submersible for three personnel.
• Depth capability: 6,000 metres.
• Resource focus: Technology for mining polymetallic nodules containing nickel, copper, cobalt and manganese.
• Area: Central Indian Ocean Basin allocated by the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) was launched in 2015 with a budget of ₹4,500 crore over seven years. It is jointly implemented by DST and MeitY through C-DAC and IISc.

• Objective: Build a network of over 70 high-performance computing facilities.
• Connectivity: Institutions are linked through the National Knowledge Network (NKN).
• First indigenous system: PARAM Shivay, installed at IIT (BHU) Varanasi.
• Other systems: PARAM Ananta, PARAM Porul and PARAM Ganga.

National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) was approved in 2018 with an outlay of ₹3,660 crore over five years. It addresses research and innovation in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics and quantum computing.

• Implementation structure: 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) across academic institutions.
• Purpose: Technology translation, incubation and skill development.

India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) was launched in December 2021 under MeitY with a total financial outlay of ₹76,000 crore. It aims to develop a sustainable semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in India.

• Fiscal support: Up to 50% for setting up silicon semiconductor fabs.
• Coverage: Display fabs, compound semiconductor facilities, and semiconductor assembly, testing, marking and packaging (ATMP) units.

Human Resource and Innovation Schemes

VAIBHAV (Vaishvik Bharatiya Vaigyanik) Fellowship, launched in 2023 by DST, connects the Indian diaspora with domestic academic and R&D institutions. NRI, PIO and OCI researchers can work in Indian higher educational institutions for 1 to 2 months per year for up to three years.

INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) is implemented by DST to attract young talent to science without competitive exams. It has three components:

• Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent: INSPIRE Award-MANAK for school children.
• Higher Education Scholarship: SHE.
• Assured Opportunity for Research Careers: AORC for doctoral and post-doctoral research.

IMPRINT (Impacting Research Innovation and Technology) is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Education and DST. It addresses engineering and technology challenges across ten core domains, including health care, energy, security and housing, and seeks to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial deployment.

SERB-POWER (Promoting Opportunities For Women in Exploratory Research) was formulated by the Science and Engineering Research Board to reduce gender disparity in science and engineering research.

• POWER Fellowships: For outstanding women researchers.
• POWER Research Grants: For exploratory projects.

At a Glance: Major Missions

Key Prelims Takeaways

• ANRF is the apex body for research, innovation and enterprise and replaced SERB.
• ANRF has a five-year outlay of ₹50,000 crore, with over 70% expected from private and industry sources.
• NQM was approved in April 2023 and targets 50 to 1,000 qubit quantum computers.
• DOM includes MATSYA 6000, a manned submersible for three personnel to 6,000 metres.
• NSM aims to build over 70 supercomputing facilities linked by the National Knowledge Network.
• NM-ICPS created 25 Technology Innovation Hubs for incubation, skill development and technology translation.
• ISM provides up to 50% fiscal support for fabs, display units and ATMP facilities.