Overview
The DST is intensifying grassroots innovation in Chhattisgarh through school‑level schemes, research grants, and biotechnology clusters. The focus is on nurturing scientific temperament among students, supporting institutions with research funding, and creating rural technology parks that add value to horticultural and forest produce.
Key Developments
- Implementation of the INSPIRE‑MANAK scheme with a direct cash award of ₹10,000 per student via DBT. Over 5,000 students, teachers and officials were reached through workshops and online programmes.
- Selection of 3,154 (2023‑24), 2,956 (2024‑25) and 2,165 (2025‑26) students under INSPIRE‑MANAK, showing sustained participation.
- Research grants totalling more than ₹9,000 lakh were released to 30+ institutions between 2023‑24 and 2025‑26, covering fields from climate change to biotechnology.
- Award of NIDHI programmes such as EIR, PRAYAS, TBIs and Seed Support to foster tech‑based entrepreneurship.
- Establishment of the SEED SC‑ST Cell at the Chhattisgarh Council of Science and Technology.
- Creation of rural biotechnology clusters such as the Rural Bioresources Complex in Western Odisha and similar projects in Arunachal Pradesh, benefitting over 600 SHGs, 350 enterprises and 5,000 rural youth.
Important Facts
• Total research grants released: ₹9,000+ lakh across 2023‑24 to 2025‑26.
• Number of research projects funded: over 80 across engineering, climate, biotech and health domains.
• Fellowships under INSPIRE awarded to institutions like Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (8 Ph.D. fellowships) and IIT Bhilai (7 Ph.D. + 10 faculty fellowships).
• Rural entrepreneurship impact: 600+ SHGs, 350+ enterprises, and 5,000+ youth trained in value‑addition technologies.
Exam Relevance
These initiatives illustrate how central ministries translate policy into on‑ground outcomes, a key theme in GS 2 (Polity) and GS 3 (Economy & Rural Development). Understanding schemes like INSPIRE‑MANAK, NIDHI and SEED helps answer questions on science & technology policy, inclusive growth, and the role of public‑private partnerships in entrepreneurship.
Way Forward
To deepen impact, the government could:
- Scale up mentorship and digital outreach to reach remote schools beyond the current 5,000 beneficiaries.
- Link research grants with industry partners for faster commercialization of prototypes.
- Expand the SC‑ST Cell model to other states, ensuring technology solutions are tailored to marginalized communities.
- Integrate biotechnology clusters with the RIPA programme for better market access.
Continued monitoring and data‑driven evaluation will be essential to replicate successful models across India.