DST's INSPIRE‑MANAK & DBT Initiatives Boost Rural Innovation and Biotech Clusters in Chhattisgarh
The DST, through the INSPIRE‑MANAK scheme and DBT support, has selected over 8,000 students in Chhattisgarh for innovation projects, while allocating more than ₹9,000 lakh in research grants and fostering rural biotech clusters that have benefitted 600+ SHGs and 5,000 youth. These initiatives showcase the government's push for grassroots science, inclusive entrepreneurship, and technology‑driven rural development, all vital topics for UPSC preparation.
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
Quick Reference
Key Insight
DST’s INSPIRE‑MANAK cash award and biotech clusters drive inclusive rural innovation in Chhattisgarh.
Key Facts
- INSPIRE‑MANAK प्रत्यक्ष नकद पुरस्कार ₹10,000 प्रति छात्र प्रोटोटाइप Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) के माध्यम से प्रदान करता है।
- INSPIRE‑MANAK के तहत चयनित छात्र: 3,154 (2023‑24), 2,956 (2024‑25) और 2,165 (2025‑26)।
- 2023‑24 से 2025‑26 के बीच 30 से अधिक संस्थानों को ₹9,000 लाख से अधिक के शोध अनुदान जारी किए गए।
- इंजीनियरिंग, जलवायु, बायोटेक्नोलॉजी और स्वास्थ्य के 80 से अधिक शोध परियोजनाओं को फंडिंग मिली।
- INSPIRE फेलोशिप: गुरु घासीदास विश्वविद्यालय को 8 पीएच.डी. फेलोशिप; IIT भिलाई को 7 पीएच.डी. + 10 फैकल्टी फेलोशिप।
- Rural Bioresources Complex क्लस्टरों ने 600 से अधिक SHGs, 350 उद्यम और 5,000 ग्रामीण युवाओं की मदद की है।
- NIDHI कार्यक्रम (EIR, PRAYAS, TBIs, Seed Support) टेक‑आधारित स्टार्ट‑अप्स को पोषित करने के लिए लॉन्च किए गए।
Background
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) uses schemes like INSPIRE‑MANAK, NIDHI and SEED to build scientific temperament, fund research and create rural biotech parks. These initiatives link education, innovation and livelihood generation, fitting the UPSC themes of inclusive growth, governance and science‑technology policy.
UPSC Syllabus
- Essay — Economy, Development and Inequality
- GS3 — Developments in science and technology and their applications
- Essay — Science, Technology and Society
- Essay — Youth, Health and Welfare
- Essay — Education, Knowledge and Culture
- Prelims_GS — Sustainable Development and Inclusion
- GS2 — Functions and responsibilities of Union and States
- Prelims_GS — Constitution and Political System
- GS1 — Poverty and Developmental Issues
- GS3 — IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and IPR
Mains Angle
GS 2 – Discuss the impact of central science schemes on inclusive rural development and entrepreneurship, evaluating their effectiveness and suggesting ways to scale them.