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The VigyanDhara scheme came into force with effect from 16.01.2025 after the merger of three umbrella schemes namely (1) Science and Technology Institutional and Human Capacity Building, (2) Research and Development and (3) Innovation, Technology Development and Deployment of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The number of beneficiaries under the scheme has increased since its inception and their details, state-wise, are placed at Annexure-I.
Under VigyanDhara, NIDHI-SEED support has been provided to 36 Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) across the country. These TBIs further provided Seed funds to 72 Startups. These Startupswere selected through Seed Support Management Committee (SSMC) of the respective TBIs using following broad criteria:
- Problem statement & proposed solutions
- Market opportunity
- Feasibility and novelty
- Potential impact
- Competition
The VigyanDhara scheme is a central sector scheme and is being implemented at pan India level. Total funds allocated and utilized under VigyanDhara, since its inception, are as follows:
| Year | Allocation (Rs. in crore) | Utilized as on 12.08.2025 (Rs. in crore) |
| 2024-25 | 330.75 | 271.98 |
| 2025-26 | 1425 | 984.33 |
| Total | 1755.75 | 1256.31 |
Annexure-I
State-wise number of beneficiaries under VigyanDhara scheme:
| Sl. No. | Name of States/UTs | No. of beneficiaries |
| Andhra Pradesh | 3816 | |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 30 | |
| Assam | 491 | |
| Bihar | 2517 | |
| Chhattisgarh | 3812 | |
| Goa | 112 | |
| Gujarat | 1561 | |
| Haryana | 1138 | |
| Himachal Pradesh | 753 | |
| Jharkhand | 1968 | |
| Karnataka | 6676 | |
| Kerala | 1278 | |
| Madhya Pradesh | 3963 | |
| Maharashtra | 3303 | |
| Manipur | 262 | |
| Meghalaya | 90 | |
| Mizoram | 28 | |
| Nagaland | 18 | |
| Orissa | 3749 | |
| Punjab | 687 | |
| Rajasthan | 12424 | |
| Sikkim | 36 | |
| Tamil Nadu | 1707 | |
| Telangana | 3679 | |
| Tripura | 81 | |
| Uttarakhand | 2661 | |
| Uttar Pradesh | 13195 | |
| West Bengal | 1570 | |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 24 | |
| Chandigarh | 283 | |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | 20 | |
| Jammu and Kashmir | 1183 | |
| Delhi | 1155 | |
| Ladakh | 21 | |
| Lakshadweep | 5 | |
| Pondicherry | 83 |
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha yesterday.
