Department of Science and Technology

What Department of Science and Technology does

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is a statutory department under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, established in 1970 (celebrating its 56th Foundation Day in 2026). Headquartered at Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi, DST serves as India's nodal agency for formulating and implementing national science and technology policy, coordinating R&D across government ministries, funding academic and startup research, and operating flagship national missions in quantum technology, supercomputing, semiconductors, climate, and healthcare. Its core technology footprint spans indigenous quantum communication infrastructure (a 1,000-km QKD network deployed via QNu Labs under the National Quantum Mission), the PARAM series of supercomputers built on C-DAC's RUDRA servers (37+ systems with 44 Peta FLOPS cumulative capacity deployed jointly with MeitY), sovereign AI through the BharatGen initiative covering 22 scheduled Indian languages, and shared scientific infrastructure such as the SAATHI-BHU facility. DST does not sell commercial products or services; it operates exclusively through annual Union Government budget allocations and deploys capital via grant schemes (FIST, IRHPA, NIDHI, NIDHI-PRAYAS), national missions (National Quantum Mission with Rs 6,003.65 crore outlay; National Supercomputing Mission), bilateral S&T cooperation agreements with Japan, France, Sweden, Australia and others, and large-scale fund architectures such as the Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund overseen alongside ANRF, TDB, and BIRAC.

Name

Department of Science and Technology

Legal name

Department of Science and Technology

Website

https://dst.gov.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Department of Science and Technology is India's nodal government department under the Ministry of Science and Technology, formulating national S&T policy, funding R&D across academia and startups, and operating national missions in quantum technology, supercomputing, and sovereign AI.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government R&D Funding and Science Policy

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL)

Keywords

• Government R&D funding
• National science missions
• Research development programs
• Innovation policy
• Science capacity building

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is India's nodal government department for promoting new areas of science and technology. It formulates and implements national S&T policy, funds research and development projects across academic institutions, supports startups through incubators and grant schemes, and operates major national missions including the National Quantum Mission, National Supercomputing Mission, and the Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund. DST does not sell commercial products but administers funding programs, policy frameworks, and technology missions.

Product overview

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is a government ministry of India that promotes science and technology through funding programs, research schemes, and national missions. The department does not offer commercial products or services but administers various government initiatives including the RDI Fund (Research, Development and Innovation Fund), national science missions (such as the National Quantum Mission, National Supercomputing Mission), capacity building programs, and international cooperation initiatives. These are policy instruments and funding mechanisms rather than commercial product offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• National Quantum Mission: National mission focused on quantum computing, communication, sensing, and materials research with Rs 6,003.65 crore funding
• National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)
• BharatGen
• RDI Fund
• National Quantum Mission - Quantum Teaching Facilities

Products and services

• National Quantum Mission National mission that coordinates and funds R&D in quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing, and quantum materials across academic institutions, startups, and government labs in India.
• National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) National mission jointly with MeitY deploying indigenous supercomputing infrastructure (PARAM series) across Indian academic and research institutions using C-DAC RUDRA servers and open-source software stack.
• Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund Government fund with Rs 1 lakh crore outlay over six years that finances high-risk, high-impact R&D projects at TRL 4+ in partnership with private sector (50 percent private contribution) and is deployed via TDB and BIRAC as second-tier fund managers.
• BharatGen India's homegrown sovereign AI platform built for 22 scheduled Indian languages with reasoning, speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and document-vision models; serves governance, healthcare, education, insurance, and finance use cases.
• DST-NIDHI Centre of Excellence at IIM Ahmedabad National hub for deep-tech entrepreneurship and venture creation at IIM Ahmedabad, established with Rs 400 million investment under the NIDHI program.
• FIST (Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure) Grant program that provides funding to academic institutions and universities to strengthen their science and technology research infrastructure.
• NIDHI (National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations) Flagship DST program supporting the innovation and startup ecosystem through Technology Business Incubators, Entrepreneurs Parks, seed funding, and the NIDHI-PRAYAS pre-prototype grant scheme for individuals and startups.
• National Awards for Science Popularization and Technology Development National recognition awards given to outstanding scientists, technologists, and science communicators on National Science Day (February 28) and National Technology Day (May 11).
• National Hub for Quantum Communication at IIT Madras Research hub developing quantum-secure communication technologies including quantum cryptography, QKD networks, and satellite-based quantum communication under the National Quantum Mission.
• Nd-Fe-B Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Pilot Plant Indigenous manufacturing pilot plant at ARCI Hyderabad for Nd-Fe-B rare earth permanent magnets supporting self-reliance in critical materials for clean energy, EVs, and advanced manufacturing.

Quantifiable outcome

• India's startup ecosystem grew from a few hundred to over 2 lakh companies in the past decade
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• QNu LabscoreTechnology or IntegrationQNu Labs developed India's indigenous 1,000-km quantum communication network using Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology within less than two years, ahead of the original eight-year target of 2,000 km. This was developed under the National Quantum Mission with DST support. The achievement positions India among nations with advanced quantum communication capabilities.
• Japan (AMED, Cabinet Office)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndia and Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in health and medical devices between Japan's AMED, India's ICMR, and DST, alongside a Letter of Intent on Quantum Science and Technology between Japan's Cabinet Office and DST. The partnership covers quantum computing, communication, sensing, and materials research, building on PM Modi's 2025 visit to Japan. Both nations characterized the partnership as entering a 'new phase' of S&T collaboration.
• IndiaAI MissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBharatGen, India's homegrown AI platform for 22 scheduled Indian languages, was developed with support from the IndiaAI Mission and DST. The initiative involved over 60 researchers, engineers, and linguists from nine academic institutions. BharatGen features specialized models for reasoning, speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and Indian document vision.
• C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing)coreTechnology or IntegrationC-DAC developed and deployed the PARAM SHAKTI supercomputing facility at IIT Madras, a 3.1-petaflop system using C-DAC's RUDRA servers and indigenous open-source software stack. This is part of the National Supercomputing Mission jointly led by MeitY and DST.
• IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA Ventures)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDST and IIM Ahmedabad established the DST-NIDHI Centre of Excellence at IIM Ahmedabad on National Technology Day, with an investment of Rs 400 million spanning nearly 59,000 sq ft. The centre serves as a national hub for deep-tech entrepreneurship and venture creation.
• IIT Madras (National Hub for Quantum Communication)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDST inaugurated the IIT Madras-based National Hub for Quantum Communication under the National Quantum Mission, structured as the IITM C-DOT Samgnya Technologies Foundation. The hub develops quantum-secure communication technologies including QKD networks and satellite-based quantum communication, supporting startups and collaborating with industry.
• India- Sweden Industry Transition PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndia-Sweden partnership under the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) selected seven projects for pre-pilot feasibility studies in decarbonizing steel and cement sectors. Funded by DST and Swedish Energy Agency, projects cover hydrogen for steel making, slag recycling for green cement, AI-based concrete optimization, and carbon capture technologies.
• ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDST collaborates with ISRO under the National Quantum Mission for satellite-based quantum communication development. DST has also worked with DRDO and the Department of Atomic Energy on quantum processor development.
• Technology Development Board (TDB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTDB and DST signed a funding agreement with InfinityX Innovations to support commercialization of automated EV battery swapping stations. TDB is one of the second-level fund managers for the Rs 1 lakh crore RDI Fund, overseeing technology commercialization.
• BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIRAC is one of two appointed second-level fund managers for the RDI Fund, set to receive Rs 2,000 crore in the first quarter. BIRAC focuses on biotechnology and life sciences startups under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.
• IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Dhanbad, IISc BengalurucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBharatGen consortium involves nine academic institutions including IIT Bombay, IISc Bengaluru, and others working on AI models for Indian languages. Multiple IITs serve as thematic hubs under the National Quantum Mission (IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IISc).
• IITI Drishti CPS FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIITI Drishti CPS Foundation developed 'Digital Twin' technology for AI-powered virtual replicas of human organs under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems, funded by DST with Rs 150 crore. Collaborates with AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Bhopal, and AIIMS Raipur.
• NVIDIA InceptionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerComplyDP, an AI-powered DPDP compliance startup, is backed by NVIDIA Inception among other incubators. NVIDIA Inception is a program that supports AI startups.
• InfinityX InnovationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTDB and DST signed a funding agreement with InfinityX Innovations to support commercialization of automated battery swapping stations for electric vehicles, enabling complete battery swaps in under 40 seconds.
• Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANRF oversees the Rs 1 lakh crore RDI Fund implementation with government fund managers TDB and BIRAC. ANRF is the apex body for funding high-impact research under the RDI scheme.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Science Foundation (NSF): U.S. federal agency that funds basic research and education across non-medical fields via grants to universities and labs. The closest functional peer to DST: a government body that disburses R&D funding, supports startups and runs large national-scale programs (e.g., Quantum Leap).
• Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA): U.S. government agency that funds high-risk, high-impact research through grants to universities, startups and contractors. Comparable to DST in driving breakthrough technology missions (AI, quantum, biotech) via program-based R&D funding.
• Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT, Japan): Japan's central ministry overseeing science and technology policy, funding academic and applied research. A natural international peer given DST's bilateral MoUs with Japan's Cabinet Office on quantum S&T.
• Department of Biotechnology (DBT), India: Indian government department under the same Ministry of Science and Technology that funds biotechnology R&D and innovation. Closest domestic peer: an autonomous R&D funding body with overlapping quantum-adjacent and life-sciences programs.
• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India: India's largest R&D organization under the same Ministry of Science and Technology, operating national labs across physical and life sciences. Overlaps DST in funding basic and translational research at academic and national laboratory institutions.
• Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), India: Statutory body created to seed research funding for the Rs 1 lakh crore RDI Fund alongside DST. Directly comparable as a co-manager of the same RDI capital pool and as a national R&D funding body.
• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), India: Indian government ministry partnering with DST on the National Supercomputing Mission and IndiaAI Mission. Comparable as a co-funder and operator of national technology missions and digital infrastructure programs.

Broad incumbents

• German Research Foundation (DFG): Germany's central research funding organization supporting universities and research institutions through grants and collaborative research centers. Comparable in funding-coordinator mandate, though on a smaller, non-mission-driven footprint.
• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI): U.K. government body that invests in science and research through multiple research councils. Mirrors DST's role as an umbrella R&D funding body that channels government budget into national research priorities and innovation programs.
• European Research Council (ERC): E.U.-level body funding frontier research across Europe through investigator-driven grants. Comparable to DST in disbursing public R&D funding to investigators at academic institutions and supporting cross-border research collaboration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/indiadst
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCl2D2pFgcfkwHgJy9OHambw
• Facebookfacebook.com/department-of-science-technology-govt-of-india-969734629779302
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/29651

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments35 records

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Frequently asked questions about Department of Science and Technology