The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, is implementing the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research Scheme, including its flagship INSPIRE-MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge) component, to foster scientific temperament, creativity, innovation and research orientation among school students, including those in Chhattisgarh. The Scheme supports students aged 10–17 years (Classes VI–XII) by providing financial assistance of ₹10,000 through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for developing innovative prototypes and facilitating participation in district, State and national-level exhibitions. To strengthen outreach and participation in Chhattisgarh, DST has organised one mentoring workshop, three District Nodal Officer meetings and fifteen online sensitization programmes, benefiting over 5,000 students, teachers and officials. As a result of these sustained efforts, 3,154 students in 2023-24; 2,956 students in 2024-25 and 2,165 students in 2025-26 have been selected under the INSPIRE-MANAK Scheme, reflecting continued promotion of grassroots innovation and scientific research among the student community in the State.

The details of research grants and fellowships awarded to institutions in Chhattisgarh during the last three years are given below:

(i) Research Grants

Institute Name	2023-24		2024-25			2025-26
	No. of Research Projects	Grant Released (₹ in Lakh)	No. of Research Projects	Grant Released (₹ in Lakh)	No. of Research Projects		Grant Released (₹ in Lakh)
Amity University Chhattisgarh, Raipur			1	7.90
Bhilai Institute of Technology, Durg	1	33.00
Bhilai Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Durg	1	12.00
Chhattisgarh Council of Science and Technology, Raipur	2	165,64	1	12.00	4		5.53
Chhattisgarh Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya, Durg					1		5.00
Chhattisgarh State Centre for Climate Change, Raipur	1	6.90			1		50.86
Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand Technical University, Bhilai	2	21.53			2		87.65
Dr. C. V. Raman University, Bilaspur			2	10.30
Govt. D.B. Girls P.G. College, Raipur			2	58.64
Govt. V.Y.T. PG Autonomous College, Durg					3		78.41
Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (A Central University)	3	908.50	3	28.14	9		1021.58
IIT Bhilai Innovation and Technology Foundation, Durg	3	191.02	4	1490.00	4		1230.00
Indian Institute of Technology Bhilai, Durg	5	1473.74	4	42.62	7		45.75
Mittal Yuvak Mandal, Korba			1	10.15	1		2.53
National Institute of Technology, Raipur	2	23.77			7		275.22
NIT Raipur Foundation for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Raipur					2		84.88
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Memorial Health Science and Ayush University of Chhattisgarh					1		32.95
Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur					1		16.56
Rungta College of Engineering and Technology Bhilai Chhattisgarh			1	37.50	2		88.51
Sanskriti Foundation Ambikapur, Chattisgarh					1		2.83
Shri Shankaracharya Institute of Professional Management and Technology, Bhilai			1	1.91

 

(ii) Fellowships awarded:

Institution Name	2023-24	2024-25	2025-26	Total Grant Released (₹ in Lakh)	2023-24	2024-25	2025-26	Total Grant Released (₹ in Lakh)
	No. of INSPIRE Fellowships (for Ph.D.)				No. of INSPIRE Faculty Fellowships (for PDF)
Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur (A Central University)	8	3	15	145.08
Indian Institute of Technology Bhilai	7	10	18	200.24	1	1	2	34.92
Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur	10	6	8	152.66
Kalinga University, Raipur	1		1	11.45
Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur	4	2	2	40.32
National Institute of Technology, Raipur						1	1	37.59

Dedicated biotechnology clusters and rural technology parks have been established by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under its Societal Development and Biotech-KISAN programmes to promote value addition to local horticultural and minor forest produce. Notable examples include the Rural Bioresources Complex in Western Odisha, the Value Addition of Horticultural Crops project in Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh, and the Biocontrol and Plant Protection Cluster at Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh. These initiatives form part of a national framework covering aspirational districts and are designed to create replicable models for sustainable rural development. These biotechnology clusters and technology-based interventions have strengthened rural entrepreneurship by enabling farmers and Self Help Groups (SHGs) to adopt value-addition technologies, establish local processing units and bio-input enterprises, and generate additional income. They have also provided training to rural youth in integrated farming and plant protection practices. Collectively, these initiatives have supported over 600 SHGs, more than 350 rural enterprises and around 5,000 rural youth, contributing to improved livelihood security, enhanced women's participation and sustainable rural development.

In addition, the Department of Science and Technology (DST), under the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI), supports technology-based startups through programmes such as Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR), Promotion and Acceleration of Young and Aspiring Technology Entrepreneurs (PRAYAS), Technology Business Incubators (TBIs), Inclusive TBIs, Centres of Excellence, Seed Support Programme, Accelerators, and entrepreneurship training, providing incubation, prototyping, mentoring, early-stage funding, and business development support. Further, DST's Science for Equity, Empowerment & Development (SEED) Division has sanctioned an "SC-ST Cell" at the Chhattisgarh Council of Science and Technology (CCOST), Raipur, to identify technology needs of SC/ST communities and promote technology-based livelihoods through effective utilisation of local resources, including minor forest produce. The Government of Chhattisgarh is also promoting rural entrepreneurship through the Rural Industrial Park (RIPA) programme and biotechnology promotion initiatives implemented by the Chhattisgarh Biotech Promotion Society (CBPS) in collaboration with CCOST.

This information was given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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