The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of three umbrella schemes under a new unified central sector scheme named Vigyan Dhara within the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The three schemes have been consolidated to optimise fund utilisation and establish synchronisation among the sub-schemes/programs. The scheme will span from financial year 2021-2022 (FY22) to FY26 and has an outlay of Rs 105.79 billion.
The broad components of Vigyan Dhara are: science and technology (S&T) institutional and human capacity building; research and development (R&D); and innovation, technology development, and deployment. The primary goal of the scheme is to bolster India’s science, technology, and innovation (STI) ecosystem.
In addition, the scheme also seeks to advance basic research, facilitate access to international mega facilities, enhance translational research, focus on sustainability and other critical areas, and promote collaborative research to foster international bilateral and multilateral partnerships.
Further, the scheme aims to expand the full-time equivalent researcher count, implement targeted measures to improve the participation of women in S&T, and achieve gender equality in STI. It will also work towards supporting innovation at all levels, from schools to higher education. It will also increase cooperation between academia, government, and industry by providing targeted assistance to industries and startups.
According to the government, all programmes under Vigyan Dhara will align with the DST’s five-year objectives to realise the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. And, the scheme’s R&D component will adhere to the Anusandhan National Research Foundation guidelines, while its implementation will align with global standards and national priorities.
