The NITI Aayog State Science Council Reform proposal, issued in 2025, has sparked significant conversation about the role and relevance of India’s State Science and Technology Councils. The think tank has recommended a fundamental shift in how these councils are funded—moving from traditional core grant support to a more dynamic, project-based funding model. This recommendation comes in response to ongoing concerns over regional disparities, underperformance, and weak integration of state-level research into national scientific goals.
Understanding the Role and History of State Science and Technology Councils
State Science and Technology (S&T) Councils were first set up in the 1970s with the aim of decentralising scientific governance in India. These councils were intended to allow states to develop their own research agendas, shaped by local socio-economic and developmental needs. In practice, they have supported diverse initiatives, from rural innovations and climate resilience projects to science popularisation, patent facilitation, and policy advisory services.
Despite their intended importance, the councils have historically been underfunded. The majority of their support comes from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), which channels modest central grants that are often inadequate to drive significant outcomes.
Funding Patterns and Regional Imbalances
A core finding of the NITI Aayog State Science Council Reform report is the wide disparity in the financial health of State S&T Councils. For instance, Gujarat’s council boasts a budget of ₹300 crore, but only ₹1.07 crore of that comes from Central funding. Similarly, Kerala’s ₹150 crore budget includes no contribution from the Centre.
In the financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25, the aggregate budget for all councils saw a 17.65% increase, yet several states reported funding cuts. While Maharashtra’s budget doubled, states like Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, and Uttarakhand faced significant reductions. These disparities raise questions about prioritisation and consistency in supporting regional scientific research.
Structural Challenges Faced by State Councils
The report highlights how many State S&T Councils are struggling to adapt to rapid global shifts in research, technology, and innovation. India’s scientific output is still heavily centralised, dominated by national institutions like CSIR, IISc, and IITs. In contrast, state councils have yet to develop the capacity or visibility to compete.
Part of the issue lies in the councils’ dependence on core grants, which are often insufficient and fail to incentivise innovation or strategic research. Their limited success in securing project-based funding from various central ministries or international agencies further reflects systemic weaknesses in proposal writing, execution, and collaboration.
Reform Recommendations by NITI Aayog
To address these challenges, NITI Aayog has proposed several key reforms:
- Shift to Project-Based Funding: Councils will now be encouraged to submit proposals for competitive grants rather than rely on fixed funding. This is expected to enhance accountability, relevance, and measurable outcomes.
- Strengthening Governance: Better oversight and professional management structures will ensure that funds are utilised effectively and transparently.
- Greater Industry Linkages: Councils are encouraged to collaborate more actively with local industries, public sector units, and start-ups, promoting practical, market-ready innovations.
- Focus on State Universities: Priority funding for state-run universities—rather than Central research institutions—is recommended to increase regional research capacity and reduce the Centre-periphery divide.
These changes aim to integrate state-level scientific efforts into the broader national innovation framework.
Impacts on India’s Scientific and Innovation Landscape
If implemented successfully, the NITI Aayog State Science Council Reform could lead to a more balanced and inclusive national science and technology ecosystem. Regions currently sidelined from mainstream research activities may benefit from increased access to project-based funding and industry collaboration.
Furthermore, strengthening regional institutions will allow for locally relevant innovations—be it in agriculture, renewable energy, healthcare, or disaster resilience—leading to better alignment of science with public needs. As India pushes towards becoming a global innovation hub, empowering its states through robust science and technology frameworks becomes essential.
Conclusion
The NITI Aayog’s proposed reforms for State S&T Councils mark a turning point in how India views decentralised science governance. Moving towards project-based, merit-driven funding and fostering stronger industry-academia links can unlock the untapped potential of state research bodies. Ultimately, this will contribute to more equitable, diverse, and impactful scientific advancement across the country.
