States urged to fund science and tech councils

New Delhi

State governments should provide enough funds to their Science and Technology (S&T) Councils to support innovation and tech growth, NITI Aayog said in a report released on Thursday. The report, titled A Roadmap for Strengthening State S&T Council, highlights the need for better financial and policy support.

NITI Aayog suggested that each state should spend at least 0.5% of its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) on science and technology. The report added that councils should also explore funding from central government departments and build connections with industry and public sector units (PSUs) to boost resources.

The think tank said councils should slightly restructure their governing bodies, adding more experts to improve decision-making and planning. While the Chief Minister or S&T Minister can continue as the chair, the council needs a broader base of expertise.

The report stressed the importance of having strong, stable core staff for the councils. It said these positions should be fully funded by the state government to ensure accountability and effective functioning. Many councils struggle with irregular funding, temporary staff, and lack of decision-making freedom, which makes long-term planning difficult.

Despite these issues, S&T Councils have contributed to patent support, remote sensing, mapping of special products, grassroots innovations, and science awareness programs.

India’s research spending has grown from ₹60,196 crore in 2010-11 to ₹1,27,381 crore in 2020-21. But most of this funding still comes from the government. Stronger state-level support can help councils meet local needs and support India’s goal of becoming a global leader in science and technology.