Strengthening state Science & Tech Councils key to resilient, self-reliant Viksit Bharat: Niti Aayog

STRENGTHENING the Science and Technology (S&T) Councils in states is pivotal to building a resilient and self-reliant Viksit Bharat, said Niti Aayog in a report on Thursday.

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State S&T Councils play a crucial role in bridging the gap between scientific innovation and socioeconomic development, especially in areas like agriculture, renewable energy, disaster management, and local entrepreneurship at the regional level.

These have also made significant contributions to supporting patent facilitation, remote sensing applications, and GI mapping, grassroots innovation, science popularisation and capacity-building programmes.

The report titled "Roadmap for Strengthening State S&T Councils", based on extensive consultations, a national workshop, and multi-stakeholder engagement facilitated by the NITI Aayog, captures the structural gaps, opportunities.

It also called for robust coordination among ministries, state governments, funding bodies, academic and research institutions, and industry partners.