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Key Points

The Indian government has dramatically increased its science and research budget over the past five years, reaching a record ₹65,307 crore in FY 2025-26. Minister Jitendra Singh highlighted significant investments across six major scientific agencies, with the Department of Science and Technology receiving the highest allocation. To further boost innovation, the government launched the Anusandhan National Research Foundation and a ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation scheme. These initiatives aim to enhance private sector participation and drive technological growth in India.

Key Points: Jitendra Singh Reveals Record ₹65,307 Crore Science Budget

  • Govt increases science budget from ₹37,823 crore to ₹65,307 crore in five years
  • Six major scientific agencies receive highest-ever funding allocation
  • ANRF established to drive strategic research and innovation
  • RDI scheme launched with ₹1 lakh crore investment pool
2 min read

Govt consistently increased budget allocation for science & research in last 5 years: Minister

Union Minister highlights govt's highest-ever science research allocation, expanding R&D investments across key scientific departments

"DST bagged the highest (Rs 28,508.90 crore) in FY 26 - Jitendra Singh, MoS Science & Technology"

New Delhi, July 31

The government has consistently increased the budget allocation for science and research, with the highest allocation made in FY2025-26 since the last five years, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, informed the Parliament on Thursday.

In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, Singh shared that "more than Rs 65,307 crore budget has been allocated to six scientific agencies for research in FY 2025-26".

In comparison, Rs 41,581.96 was allocated for science and research in 2024-25, and Rs 39,843 crore in 2023-24.

In 2022-23, the government allocated Rs 37,828 crore and in 2021-22, Rs 37,823 crore.

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

"DST bagged the highest (Rs 28,508.90 crore) in FY 26. It was followed by DOS at Rs 13416.20 crore in FY 26," Singh said. The agencies also received the highest allocations this year since FY 22.

Further, the MoS informed that the government has been implementing several fellowships that offer direct benefits to young scientists and researchers.

Some of the key schemes include 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) programme.

In addition, to provide high-level strategic direction for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the country, the government has established the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) through the ANRF Act of 2023, Singh said.

Under the Act, special provisions have been made towards encouraging the public sector enterprises as well as the private sector entities to invest in the activities of the ANRF.

Recently, "the government launched the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme with a financial pool of Rs 1 lakh crore over five years. This RDI scheme led by DST aims to encourage participation of the private sector in sunrise sectors, driving growth and innovation," Singh said.

Singh also informed about the steps taken by the government to enhance private sector participation in research and development in the country.

The key efforts include incentivising investment by the private sector to increase their share in GERD; creating avenues for collaborative STI funding through portfolio-based funding mechanisms such as public-private-partnerships and other innovative hybrid funding mechanisms, the Minister said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
As someone working in biotech research, I appreciate the focus on women scientists through WISE programs. But I hope the funds actually reach grassroots researchers and not just big institutes in metros. The real innovation happens in smaller labs too!
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Aditya G
Rs 1 lakh crore for RDI scheme is massive! But the government must ensure transparency in fund utilization. We've seen too many cases where research funds get stuck in bureaucracy. Private sector participation is a good move though 👍
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Priya S
While the increased budget is commendable, I worry about the quality of research output. Money alone won't solve our problems - we need better research culture, less plagiarism, and more original thinking in our institutions.
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Karthik V
Great to see space research getting substantial funds! After Chandrayaan and Aditya L1 success, this will help ISRO achieve even more. Maybe next Mars mission? Jai Vigyan! 🚀
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Michael C
The private sector partnership approach is interesting. In US, this has led to great innovation. Hope Indian companies step up - need more Tatas and Infosys investing in fundamental research, not just product development.
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Nisha Z
What about regional language research? Most funding goes to English publications. We need to support vernacular science communication too - that's how we'll reach

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