Department of Science & Technology
Department of Science & Technology
Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India
India's apex S&T ministry funding science-driven startups from prototype to scale via NIDHI and NSTEDB.
DST at a glance
| Full name | Department of Science & Technology |
|---|---|
| Part of | Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India |
| Established | 1971 |
| Address | New Delhi, Delhi, India |
| Official website | dst.gov.in |
Programs by Department of Science & Technology
8 past programs · Filter all programs
Programs Department of Science & Technology supports
Programs this organisation funds, run by others. · 1 open now · 5 past
Schemes implemented by Department of Science & Technology
4 schemes — each groups the funding calls run under it.
NIDHI-SSP (Seed Support Program)
12 funding calls
NIDHI-iTBI (Ignition Grant)
8 funding calls
NIDHI-SSS (Seed Support System)
8 funding calls
National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS)
Central government mission funding 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) across premier Indian institutes to drive research, startup incubation, and seed investment in cyber-physical systems and emerging technologies like IoT, AI, robotics, and more.
3 funding calls
About Department of Science & Technology
Department of Science & Technology (DST), India
The Department of Science & Technology (DST) is a central government department under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. Established on 3 May 1971, DST serves as the nodal body for organising, coordinating, and promoting scientific and technological activities across the country. Headquartered at Technology Bhavan, New Delhi, DST commands an annual budget of approximately ₹6,067 crore.
Key Startup & Innovation Programs
NIDHI (National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations): Launched in 2016, NIDHI is DST's flagship umbrella programme for converting knowledge-based innovations into successful startups. Sub-schemes include:
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NIDHI-PRAYAS: Up to ₹10 lakhs per innovator for idea-to-prototype development. PRAYAS 2.0 enables up to ₹40 lakhs via Advance PRAYAS Centres. Targets physical product/hardware innovation in manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, cleantech, energy, water, and IoT — not pure-SaaS or e-commerce.
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NIDHI-TBI (Technology Business Incubator): DST funds incubators hosted at academic/research institutions to nurture knowledge-driven startups.
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NIDHI-SSP (Seed Support Program): Early-stage equity-free funding to promising startups incubated at NIDHI-TBIs.
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NIDHI-Accelerator: Supports TBIs with 3+ years' experience and 20+ incubated startups to run formal accelerator programmes.
NSTEDB (National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board): Established in 1982, supports S&T-based entrepreneurship through Science & Technology Entrepreneur Parks (STEPs), incubation, and capacity-building.
Who Should Apply
DST/NIDHI is best suited for science and technology-driven innovators and startups — particularly those building physical products or hardware — at the ideation and validation stages. Academic entrepreneurs, researchers, and deep-tech founders with product innovation in sectors like healthcare, agritech, energy, manufacturing, and clean technology. Applicants must typically be affiliated with or incubated at a DST-recognised TBI.
Who they work with
Stage
Sectors
Technology
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Frequently asked questions about Department of Science & Technology
What is the full form of DST?
DST stands for Department of Science & Technology.
What does Department of Science & Technology do?
The Department of Science & Technology (DST) is a central government department under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. Established on 3 May 1971, DST serves as the nodal body for organising, coordinating, and promoting scientific and technological activities across the country.
Where is Department of Science & Technology located?
Department of Science & Technology is based in New Delhi, Delhi, India.
What sectors does Department of Science & Technology support?
Department of Science & Technology works with startups in Deep Tech, Hardware, Healthcare, AgriTech, CleanTech and Water Technology and other sectors.
What stage of startup does Department of Science & Technology support?
Department of Science & Technology supports startups at the Ideation, Validation and Early Revenue stages.
When was Department of Science & Technology founded?
Department of Science & Technology was founded in 1971. It operates as a government.
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