Department of Science and Technology

What Department of Science and Technology does

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is a statutory department of the Government of India, established in 1972 under the Ministry of Science and Technology. As the designated nodal agency for coordinating the central government's R&D programmes and formulating national science and technology policy, DST operates as a public funding and policy body rather than a commercial entity. The department is overseen by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), and is headquartered at Technology Bhavan, New Delhi. It is funded through annual budgetary allocations from the Government of India and does not generate commercial revenue or have external shareholders.

DST's portfolio spans research fellowships, infrastructure grants, international cooperation, technology commercialisation, and innovation incubation. Flagship offerings include the INSPIRE programme (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research), which funnels exceptional students from the 10+2 level through faculty careers via INSPIRE Faculty Awards and INSPIRE Faculty Fellowships hosted at premier institutions including IIT Bombay, BARC, and the S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences. Infrastructure support is delivered through FIST (Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure), while applied research and commercialisation flow through the Technology Development Board, STEP (Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Park), and TBI (Technology Business Incubator). The Patent Facility Cell provides IP support nationally and internationally. Digital infrastructure includes the Electronic Project Management System (e-PMS), the S&T Awards Information Retrieval System (STAIRS), and the India Science, Technology and Innovation Portal (ISTI). Notable product launches in 2026 include the Quantum Safe Ecosystem in India initiative and the 5G Innovation Hackathon 2026.

DST distributes programmes through a federally-mediated network comprising direct online application portals, partnerships with universities and national laboratories, and state S&T councils established in almost all Indian states for decentralised S&T planning and coordination. International cooperation spans at least 14 countries including the USA, UK, Germany, France, Japan, Russia, China, Australia, and ASEAN member states, delivered through bilateral programmes such as the DST-JSPS call with Japan and the India-Sweden Joint Industrial R&D Call, as well as multilateral frameworks including the BRICS STI Framework Programme. The department also oversees autonomous S&T institutions, attached institutions, statutory bodies, professional bodies, and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), which collectively form the core institutional infrastructure of India's national science ecosystem. Sophisticated Analytical Instrument facilities set up by DST are currently used by more than 6,000 researchers.

Name

Department of Science and Technology

Legal name

Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India

Website

https://dst.gov.in

Company type

Public

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, is the nodal agency coordinating national R&D programmes since 1972, funding fellowships, infrastructure, and technology commercialisation across Indian academic institutions, autonomous bodies, and international partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Science and Technology Funding

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Student Information Systems (SIS) & Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) (EDADAIAA)

Keywords

• Government research funding
• Science fellowships
• Technology development
• National scientific missions
• Innovation incubation

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is a Government of India nodal agency that formulates national science and technology policy and coordinates government-wide R&D programmes. It administers research infrastructure grants (such as FIST), multi-level science fellowships (including INSPIRE and INSPIRE Faculty Award), national scientific missions in areas such as climate, energy, and nano-technology, and innovation/incubation support through the Technology Development Board, STEP, and TBI programmes. The department also provides IP support via the Patent Facility Cell, international bilateral cooperation schemes, and digital information systems such as e-PMS, STAIRS, and the ISTI portal.

Product overview

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is a government ministry that functions as a funding and policy body rather than a commercial product company. DST's portfolio consists of science and technology support programmes, research fellowships, and mission-driven initiatives. The core offerings include research infrastructure grants (FIST), fellowship programmes (INSPIRE, INSPIRE Faculty Award, SERB), international collaboration schemes (ASEAN-India, bilateral partnerships), and innovation support (Technology Development Board, STEP, TBI incubators). Key digital services include the Electronic Project Management System (e-PMS), S&T Awards Information Retrieval System (STAIRS), and the India Science, Technology and Innovation Portal (ISTI). DST also administers thematic missions in areas like nano-technology, water technology, hydrogen energy, and climate research, along with societal programmes supporting women scientists, differently-abled populations, and Scheduled Castes/Tribes communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) A national programme offering fellowships and research opportunities to attract exceptionally bright students to careers in science and technology, spanning multiple streams from the 10+2 level through doctoral and faculty positions. Targets Indian students and early-career researchers.
• FIST (Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure) Provides basic infrastructure and enabling facilities for carrying out research and development activities in academic and educational institutions. Targets universities, institutes, and academic departments.
• Science for Society Programmes Multi-sectoral interdisciplinary projects aimed at technological empowerment and capacity building for sustainable livelihood. Targets researchers and communities undertaking applied S&T work.
• National Missions National-level scientific missions addressing critical areas including climate, energy, nano-technology, water technology, hydrogen energy, and strategic technologies. Targets researchers and institutions working in priority thematic areas.
• INSPIRE Faculty Award Fellowship for young researchers to conduct independent research in areas of science and technology, supporting career development in academia. Targets post-doctoral researchers transitioning to faculty roles.
• INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship Fellowship enabling researchers to pursue independent research projects with focus on enhancing scientific techniques and methodologies. Targets researchers placed at host institutions such as BARC, IIT Bombay, and other national laboratories.
• S&T Awards Information Retrieval System (STAIRS) Online portal providing information about various S&T awards and recognition programmes administered by DST. Targets researchers seeking awards and recognition.
• Electronic Project Management System (e-PMS) Online system for managing and tracking science and technology research projects funded by DST, enabling online proposal submissions. Targets researchers and institutions applying for DST funding.
• India Science, Technology and Innovation Portal (ISTI) Comprehensive portal showcasing India's science, technology and innovation ecosystem, achievements, and opportunities. Targets researchers, students, institutions, and the general public.
• Patent Facility Cell Assistance to S&T community for patenting their research work nationally as well as internationally. Targets researchers and institutions seeking IP protection.
• Technology Development Board (TDB) Supporting commercialisation of indigenous technology through grants and soft loans for promising technology ventures. Targets technology startups and entrepreneurs commercialising indigenous R&D.
• Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Park (STEP) Startup support programme providing infrastructure, technical input and academic linkages for student entrepreneurs. Targets students and researchers seeking to commercialise indigenous technology.
• Technology Business Incubator (TBI) Business incubation support helping students and researchers commercialise their technology ventures. Targets researchers and entrepreneurs in the early stages of venture creation.
• ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowships Fellowship enabling researchers from ASEAN countries and India to collaborate on joint research projects. Targets researchers across ASEAN nations and India.
• Technology Interventions For Disabled & Elderly (TIDE) Programme focused on developing technology solutions for differently-abled and elderly populations. Targets researchers and technology developers working on assistive technology.
• Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship Fellowship recognizing and supporting outstanding innovators working on technological advancements. Targets established innovators and technology leaders.
• SERB Research Scientist Scheme Scheme providing research career opportunities for scientists and technologists. Targets scientists pursuing long-term research careers in India.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 6000 researchers use DST's Sophisticated Analytical Instrument facilities
• +1 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

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Autonomous S&T Institutions NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2026Network of autonomous scientific research institutions under DST including various national laboratories and research centers that form the core infrastructure for Indian science ecosystem.
• National Informatics Centre (NIC)coreTechnology or IntegrationNIC designs, develops, and hosts the DST website. Provides technical infrastructure and support for government digital services.
• Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Park (STEP) NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology business incubation network helping students and startups with infrastructure, technical input, and academic linkages for venture creation.
• Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutonomous research institute conducting paleoclimatic studies supported by DST, including vegetation and pollen record research in Himalayas.
• Patent Facility CellcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides assistance to S&T community for patenting their research work nationally as well as internationally.
• Technology Development BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports commercialization of indigenous technology by providing grants as well as soft loans.
• IIT BombayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndian Institute of Technology Bombay hosts INSPIRE Faculty Fellows conducting research supported by DST fellowships.
• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBARC hosts INSPIRE Faculty Fellows conducting research on magnetic resonance enhancement supported by DST fellowships.
• S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic SciencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutonomous institution under DST conducting fundamental research in basic sciences including quantum communication studies.
• Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated organization under DST ecosystem for funding and promoting research across scientific disciplines.
• INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlagship programme of DST to attract exceptionally bright students to careers in science and research, with multiple fellowship streams from school to faculty level.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• European Research Council (ERC): The ERC funds investigator-driven frontier research across Europe through grants and fellowships. Comparable to DST in funding long-horizon basic research and in operating prestigious fellowship programmes; differs in scope (EU-wide rather than national).
• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI): UKRI is the UK's national funding agency for research and innovation, covering physical, life, and social sciences as well as the arts. Comparable to DST in mandate (national R&D coordination), scale (multi-billion-pound portfolio), and mechanism (fellowships, infrastructure, innovation programmes).
• German Research Foundation (DFG): DFG is Germany's central public funding body for academic research across all scientific disciplines. It is closely comparable to DST in mandate (funding basic research, fellowships, infrastructure, international cooperation) and in operating model (peer-reviewed grants, autonomous research institutions, bilateral programmes).
• National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC): NSFC is China's primary basic-research funding agency, supporting individual researchers, programmes, and international cooperation. Directly comparable to DST in core function (basic-research grant-making, fellowship programmes, bilateral cooperation) and scale, with DST and NSFC also operating as partners in BRICS STI.
• Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS): JSPS is the Japanese funding body for scientific research and academic exchange, with active bilateral cooperation programmes with DST (e.g., DST-JSPS calls). It is directly comparable in mission (research grants, fellowships, international researcher exchange) and in target customer (academic researchers).
• Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF): ANRF is a related funding body within the DST ecosystem for promoting research across scientific disciplines. Directly comparable to DST in mandate (national R&D funding) and in customer base (researchers and institutions), with overlapping programmes and shared institutional governance.
• National Science Foundation (NSF): The U.S. National Science Foundation is the closest international counterpart to DST, funding basic and applied research across all non-medical scientific disciplines through grants, fellowships, and infrastructure programmes, and coordinating national S&T policy. NSF and DST serve overlapping researcher communities and operate comparable fellowship and infrastructure-fund mechanisms.
• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR): CSIR is an Indian government R&D body under the same Ministry of Science and Technology as DST, operating a network of national laboratories pursuing scientific and industrial research. It is directly comparable in mandate (Indian R&D ecosystem), institutional structure (autonomous labs under a central body), and customer base (researchers and industry), but with a stronger industrial-research orientation.
• Department of Biotechnology (DBT), India: DBT is a sister department under the Ministry of Science and Technology that funds and coordinates biotechnology and life-sciences R&D in India. It mirrors DST's structure (fellowships, grants, autonomous institutions, bilateral programmes) and serves overlapping researcher populations, but is specialized to biotechnology rather than the full S&T spectrum.

Broad incumbents

• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), India: MeitY is an Indian central ministry funding R&D, innovation, and infrastructure in electronics, IT, and emerging technologies (including 5G and quantum-adjacent areas). Comparable to DST in mandate (Indian government R&D coordination) but narrower in sectoral focus, and a co-stakeholder in programmes like the 5G Innovation Hackathon 2026.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/IndiaDST
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCl2D2pFgcfkwHgJy9OHambw
• Facebookfacebook.com/Department-of-Science-Technology-Govt-of-India-969734629779302

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments1 record

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Frequently asked questions about Department of Science and Technology