Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) was established in January 1985. It operates under the Ministry of Science and Technology. The primary mandate of the DSIR is to promote, develop, and transfer indigenous (home-grown) technologies within the country.

Core Objectives and Functions:

The DSIR acts as a crucial bridge between scientific laboratories and the industrial sector. Its main goals include:

• Promoting Industrial Research: It encourages industries, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to conduct Research and Development (R&D) to create modern, globally competitive technologies.
• Commercialization: It helps transfer new technologies developed in small laboratories to large factories so they can be produced on a commercial scale.
• Boosting Exports: It aims to increase the share of technology-intensive products in India’s overall exports.
• Institutional Linkages: It connects research labs and businesses through specific agencies like the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) for technology transfer, and Central Electronics Limited (CEL) to facilitate R&D investments.

Major Programmes and Schemes

To achieve its goals, the DSIR runs several targeted programmes categorized into two main groups:

1.              Industrial R&D Promotion Programme (IRDPP)

This programme focuses on recognizing and supporting institutions that conduct valuable research. It includes:

• Recognition of In-house R&D Units (RDI): Identifying and supporting R&D centres established within private companies.
• Scientific and Industrial Research Organisations (SIRO): Granting official recognition to independent research organizations.
• Public Funded Research Institutions (PFRI): Supporting research bodies funded by the government.
• Fiscal Incentives (FI): Providing tax benefits and financial relief to encourage scientific research.

Industrial R&D Programme (IRD)

This programme is designed to actively fund, build, and spread new technological innovations. Key initiatives under this include:

• Access to Knowledge for Technology Development and Dissemination (A2K+): This initiative helps spread scientific knowledge by supporting national and international conferences, funding specific research studies, and running the Technology Development and Utilization Programme for Women (TDUPW).
• Building Industrial R&D and Common Research Facilities (BIRD-crf): This scheme focuses on creating shared infrastructure. Under this, Common Research and Technology Development Hubs (CRTDHs) are established so small industries can use expensive research equipment.
• PACE (Patent Acquisition and Collaborative Research and Technology Development): This scheme helps industries acquire patents and encourages collaborative research between public laboratories and private companies.
• PRISM (Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs): This initiative provides direct financial support to independent innovators, start-ups, and small businesses to turn their unique ideas into working models.