Department of Science and Technology (India)

Department of Science and Technology (India)
Name	Department of Science and Technology
Formed	May 1971
Headquarters	New Delhi
Minister1 name	Jitendra Singh
Minister1 pfo	Minister of State (Independent Charge)
Chief1 name	Dr. Abhay Karandikar
Chief1 position	Secretary
Parent department	Ministry of Science and Technology
Website	https://dst.gov.in

Contents

History
Organisation and structure
Functions and objectives
Major initiatives and programmes
Autonomous institutions
See also

Department of Science and Technology (India) is the nodal agency of the Government of India for formulating policies, promoting, and funding scientific research and development across the nation. Established in 1971, it operates under the Ministry of Science and Technology and plays a pivotal role in strengthening the country's science and technology infrastructure. The department is instrumental in fostering innovation, supporting fundamental research, and implementing national missions in cutting-edge fields.

History

The department was created in May 1971, following the recommendations of the Dr. S. Radhakrishnan-led Education Commission and the government's growing recognition of the need for a dedicated body to orchestrate scientific growth. Its formation was a strategic move to consolidate and advance the scientific endeavors initiated post-independence, building upon the legacy of institutions like the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Indian Institutes of Technology. Key early figures in its establishment included Vikram Sarabhai, a visionary in the Indian space programme, and C. N. R. Rao, a renowned chemist who later chaired the Prime Minister's Science Advisory Council.

Organisation and structure

The department is headed by a Secretary, a senior Indian Administrative Service officer, who reports to the Minister of State for Science and Technology. Its administrative structure comprises various divisions, councils, and boards, each focusing on specific domains such as Technology Development, Science and Engineering Research, and International Cooperation. Key advisory bodies include the Science and Engineering Research Board, an autonomous entity for funding basic research, and the National Science and Technology Management Information System. The department also works in close coordination with other scientific agencies like the Department of Biotechnology and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Functions and objectives

Its primary functions include formulating and implementing policies for the promotion of science and technology, allocating grants for research projects in universities and national laboratories, and nurturing scientific human resources. A core objective is to identify and fund emerging areas of research, such as quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and climate change mitigation. The department also aims to foster public understanding of science through organizations like the National Council for Science and Technology Communication and promotes women's participation in science through initiatives like the Consolidated Plan of Action in Science & Technology for Women.

Major initiatives and programmes

The department oversees several flagship programmes, including the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems, which focuses on technologies like the Internet of Things and robotics. It manages the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research scheme to attract talent to scientific careers and the Nano Mission for research in nanoscience. Other significant initiatives include the National Supercomputing Mission, implemented with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and the Solar Energy Research Initiative. It also coordinates India's participation in major global projects like the Large Hadron Collider at CERN.

Autonomous institutions

The department funds and governs a network of autonomous research institutions and professional bodies. These include the Indian Institute of Astrophysics in Bengaluru, the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism in Mumbai, and the National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies in New Delhi. It also supports learned societies such as the Indian Academy of Sciences and the Indian National Science Academy, which play crucial roles in advancing scientific discourse. Other notable autonomous bodies under its purview are the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council and the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories.