New Delhi, July 31 (NationPress) The government has consistently enhanced the budget allocation for science and research, with the most significant allocation in FY2025-26 over the past five years, as stated by Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, during a parliamentary session on Thursday.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Singh disclosed that over Rs 65,307 crore has been earmarked for six scientific agencies for research activities in FY 2025-26.

For context, Rs 41,581.96 crore was allocated for science and research in 2024-25, while Rs 39,843 crore was designated in 2023-24.

In 2022-23, the allocation was Rs 37,828 crore, and in 2021-22, it reached Rs 37,823 crore.

The six primary scientific agencies involved include the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Scientific and Industrial Research/Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR/CSIR), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Space (DOS), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), and the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).

“In FY 26, DST received the highest allocation of Rs 28,508.90 crore, followed by DOS at Rs 13,416.20 crore,” Singh noted. This year marks the highest allocations for these agencies since FY 22.

Furthermore, the Minister indicated that the government is actively implementing numerous fellowships that provide direct benefits to young scientists and researchers.

Among the notable schemes are the INSPIRE fellowship, INSPIRE faculty fellowship, Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)-PhD, WISE-Post Doctoral Fellowship (PDF), and the scheme for young scientists and technologists (SYST) program.

Additionally, to ensure high-level strategic direction for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the nation, the government has established the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) through the ANRF Act of 2023, Singh stated.

This Act includes unique provisions aimed at encouraging both public sector enterprises and private entities to invest in ANRF initiatives.

Recently, the government launched the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme with a financial allocation of Rs 1 lakh crore over five years. This initiative, led by DST, aims to promote private sector participation in emerging sectors, thereby driving growth and innovation,” Singh added.

Singh also elaborated on the measures taken by the government to boost private sector involvement in research and development across the country.

Key efforts include incentivizing private sector investment to increase their share in Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) and creating pathways for collaborative Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) funding through portfolio-based funding mechanisms like public-private partnerships and other innovative hybrid funding models, the Minister concluded.