R&D projects in Punjab under Centre's scheme witness decline

The number of scientific projects sanctioned under Centrally sponsored schemes for different research and development institutes located in Punjab has witnessed a consistent decline over the past three years.

From 116 sanctioned projects in 2022-23, the number has come down to 103 in 2023-24 and 38 in 2024-25. The number for the 2025-26 fiscal is 29 so far, according to information shared by the Ministry of Science and Technology in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

These projects are under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), a national institution which promotes research and development and fosters a culture of research and innovation in various universities, colleges, laboratories and research institutions of Punjab.

While the ministry was silent on the reasons for the decline, experts associated with the programme flagged budgetary and administrative issues affecting the programme. The ANRF's total provision for the 2023-28 period is Rs 50,000 crore out of which only Rs 10,000 crore is through direct government funding while the rest is from private sources. Actual allocation for Rs 2023-24 was just Rs 259 crore against the budgetary estimate of Rs 2,000 crore.

Replying to a question by Member of Parliament Malvinder Singh Kang, the Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh said that under the Fund for Improvement of Science and Technology Infrastructure in Universities and Higher Educational Institutions (FIST), 25 academic institutions have been supported in Punjab.

Under the Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) scheme, two universities have been supported to strengthen their research and development infrastructure, enabling them to conduct mission-oriented research in various areas aligned with national priorities.

Further, to promote indigenous innovation in clean energy and water, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has supported several projects in universities and institutes of of the state such as Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana; Indian Institute of Scientific Education and Research, Mohali, Plaksha University, Mohali, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, and the Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar.

Other centres like the Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, have been pursuing cutting edge research in several inter-disciplinary subjects in the emerging realm of nano science.

Under the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI), DST has established Inclusive-Technology Business Incubators at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, and Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, to nurture innovative ideas of innovators and entrepreneurs in the region.

Under the NIDHI, DST has also established a Technology Business Incubator in different institutes which have supported more than 65 start-ups working in various fields such as biotechnology, life sciences, agriculture and dairy.