DSIR ACCELERATES DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION THROUGH A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH

Department of  Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) has set out to support common research and technology development hubs (CRTDHs) towards translational research and innovation. Further it has been instrumental in supporting individual innovators towards workable models to be replicated across the country. This will be a shot in the arm for MSME units in industrial clusters. Yet another milestone has been set with Patent Acquisition and Collaborative Research and Technology Development (PACE) scheme which is an ecosystem to boost industry and institutions towards innovation that can lead to commercially viable solutions through a process. DSIR is a game changer towards involving stakeholders to drive innovation and indigenous technical prowess of India towards a new horizon.

Department of Scientific and Industrial Research

Report for the period 2014-2015 to 2017-2018

Introduction

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), one of the Departments of the Ministry of Science and Technology, was set up through a Presidential Notification, dated 4^th January, 1985 (74/2/1/8 Cab.). The mandate of DSIR includes promotion of industrial research for indigenous technology promotion, development, utilization and transfer.

The Allocation of Business for the Department is as follows:

• – All matters concerning the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
• – All matters relating to National Research Development Corporation (NRDC).
• – All matters relating to Central Electronics Limited (CEL).
• – Registration and Recognition of R&D Units.
• – Technical matters relating to UNCTAD and WIPO.
• – National register for foreign collaborations.
• – Matters relating to creation of a pool for temporary placement of Indian Scientists and Technologists.

The primary endeavour of DSIR is to promote R&D by the industries; support industrial units to develop state-of-the-art globally competitive technologies of high commercial potential; catalyze faster commercialization of laboratory-scale R&D; augment technology transfer capabilities; strengthen industrial consultancy and establish a user-friendly information network to facilitate scientific and industrial research in the country. The DSIR has two public sector enterprises viz. National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) and Central Electronics Ltd (CEL) and two autonomous organizations viz. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Consultancy Development Centre (CDC). The Department also acts as focal point and  provide host facilities and institutional support to a regional institution of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (UN-ESCAP) viz. Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT).

Budget at Glance

Functional Structure

Functional structure of the department of is given below:

Programmes

The Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR) had operated the umbrella scheme on “Industrial Research & Development (IRD) during the 12th Five Year Plan, which consists of following four sub-schemes:

• – Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs (PRISM) – This scheme primarily focuses on supporting individual innovators, start-up companies, incubatee companies in public funded technology business incubators and MSMEs.
• – Patent Acquisition and Collaborative Research & Technology Development (PACE) – This is a scheme focusing on technology acquisition and its development and demonstration for commercialization.
• – Building Industrial Research & Development and Common Research Facility (BIRD-crf) – This is a scheme which focuses on creation of Common Research facilities for micro and small enterprises; “Industrial Research & Development Promotion Program”, “Information Technology and e-Governance” and “Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology(APCTT)”.
• – Access to Knowledge for Technology Development and Dissemination (A2K+) – This is a scheme focusing on technology development and demonstration through projects, studies and events. The scheme subsumes the 11^th Plan component scheme on Technology Development and Utilization Programme for Women (TDUPW). Besides, the scheme supports the approved projects related to Technology Development and Demonstration Programme (TDDP) spilling over from the 11th five year plan.

Based on “Outcome Review” of IRD Scheme, continuation of Scheme beyond 12th Five Year plan has been recommended to make the scheme coterminous with 14^th Finance Commission ending on 31.03.2020. “Industrial Research & Development Promotion Program”, “Information Technology and e-Governance” and “Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT)” have been de-linked from BIRD-crf beyond 31.03.2017.

The other umbrella scheme, operated by DSIR during 12^th Five Year Plan is “Assistance to PSEs”. Under this scheme, support is given to two PSEs under the department, viz. NRDC and CEL. This scheme has also been made coterminous  with 14^th Finance Commission ending on 31.03.2020.

Major Achievements

Industrial R&D Promotion Programme

The broad objectives of the Industrial Research and Development Promotion Programme are to:

• – Bring In-house R&D into sharper focus;
• – Strengthen R&D infrastructure in Industry and Scientific and Industrial Research Organisations (SIROs);
• – Promote R&D initiatives of the Industry and SIROs;
• – Ensure that the contributions made by the In-house R&D centres and SIROs dovetail adequately in the overall context of technological and industrial development.

In-house R&D Units

DSIR is the nodal Department for granting recognition to In-house Research and Development centres established by corporate industry.

Scientific and Industrial Research Organizations (SIROs)

The DSIR had launched a scheme of granting recognition to SIROs in 1988. SIROs recognized & registered by DSIR are eligible for Customs Duty Exemption under Govt. notification No. 51/96-Customs dated 23.07.1996 amended by notification No. 24/2007-Customs dated 01.03.2007 & notification No.43/2017-Customs dated 30.06.2017 and Excise Duty Waiver in terms of Govt. Notifications No. 10/97-Central Excise dated 01.03.1997 amended by notification No. 16/2007-Central Excise dated 01.03.2007 & notification no. 09/2017- Central Excise dated 30.06.2017, as amended from time to time. However, after introduction of Central Good and Services Tax (CGST) Act, 2017 from 1st July 2017, the Govt. Notifications No. 10/97-Central Excise dated 01.03.1997 is rescinded.

Public Funded Research Institutions (PFRIs)

Public funded research institutions, universities, IITs, IISc., Bangalore; Regional Engineering Colleges (other than a hospital) are eligible for availing concessional customs duty exemption on import of equipment, spares and accessories and consumables for research purposes through a simple registration with the DSIR. The heads of the public funded research institutions / organisations duly registered with DSIR can certify the R&D goods for custom duty exemption, vide Notification No. 43/2017-Customs dt. 30.06.2017 and corrigendum dated 22.07.2017-Custom Notification no. 43/2017 dt 30.06.2017, Ministry of Finance has amended the main notification No. 51/96-Customs dt. 23.07.1996 (as amended from time to time).

Vide Notification No. 9/2017-Central Excise dt. 30.06.2017, Ministry of Finance has  amended the main notification No. 10/97-Central Excise dt. 01.03.1997. As per the amendment, Central Government has rescinds the notification No. 10/97-Central Excise dt. 01.03.1997 of Government of India in Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue).

Coinciding with the presentation of Union Budget for the year 2004, Ministry of Finance amended the notification No. 51/96-customs vide notification No. 28/2003-Customs dt.1.3.2003. As per the amendment, departments & laboratories of central government and state governments (other than a hospital) are not required to register with DSIR for availing the concessional customs duty exemption. They can clear the consignments by producing a certificate from the Head of the institution certifying that the said goods are required for research purposes only. Another significant change in the notification is that Regional Cancer Centres have been included in the list of institutions eligible for DSIR registration for importing goods for research purposes at a concessional rate of customs duty. The Union Govt of India enacted ‘The Constitution (101st Amendment) Act, 2016 w.e.f.16th September 2016, as introduction of Goods and Services Tax required amendments in the constitution to concurrently empower the Centre and States to levy and collect Goods and Services Tax (GST). Central Government vide Notification No. 03/2017-Central Tax, dt. 19-06-2017 has notified Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017 w.e.f. 22nd June 2017. The introduction of Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017(No. 12 of 2017) on 1st July, 2017 was a very significant step in the field of Indirect Tax Reforms in India. After introduction of CGST Act, 2017 (No.12 of 2017) from 1st July, 2017, import of goods would be treated as inter-state supplies and would be subject to integrated tax (IGST) in addition to the applicable customs duties. For latest update visit http://www.cbec.gov.in/htdocs-cbec/gst/index.

Fiscal Incentives for Scientific Research

Government has evolved, from time to time, fiscal incentives and support measures to encourage R&D in industry and increased utilisation of locally available R&D options for industrial development. New incentives to encourage investments in R&D by industry are announced in the Union Budget. Fiscal incentives and support measures presently available include:

• – Income-tax relief on R&D expenditure (capital & revenue);
• – Weighted tax deduction u/s 35(2AA) of IT Act 1961 for sponsored research programs in approved national laboratories, universities and IITs; Development…
• – Weighted tax deduction u/s 35(2AB) of IT Act, 1961 on In-house R&D expenditure for any company engaged in the business of biotechnology or in any business of manufacture or production of any article or thing not being an article or thing specified in the list of the eleventh schedule of IT Act, having R&D facility approved by Secretary, DSIR.
• – Customs Duty exemption on capital equipment, spares, accessories and consumables imported for R&D by approved institutions/SIROs;
• – Customs Duty exemption on specified goods (comprising of analytical and specialty equipment) for use in pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector;
• – Accelerated depreciation allowance on plant and machinery set-up based on indigenous technology;
• – Customs Duty exemption on imports for R&D projects supported by Government.

Secretary, DSIR, Ministry of Science and Technology, is the Prescribed Authority to certify expenditures where higher rate of depreciation is to be allowed for the plant and machinery installed for the manufacturing of products using indigenous know-how as per provisions of rule 5(2) of IT Rules.

• – During FY 2017-2018, three certificate involving Rs. 3184.27 Crore were issued to M/s Bharat Electronics Limited, M/s Indian Oil Corporation Limited, and Numaligarh Refinary Llimited were issued by DSIR.
• – During FY 2016-2017, one certificate was issued to M/s Bharat Electronics Limited involving Rs 6336.11 Lakh. One certificate was issued to M/s Bharat Electronics Limited involving Rs 7939.59 Lakh for the FY 2014-2015.

Approval of In-house R&D Centres under Section 35(2AB) of I.T. Act 1961

In order to encourage R&D initiatives of industry, the finance bill 1997 introduced a sub section (2AB) in section 35 of the IT Act, 1961. The provision introduced initially was for select sectors of industry i.e. drugs, pharmaceuticals, electronic equipment, computers, telecommunication equipment, chemicals and provided weighted deduction of 125 per cent on expenditure on in-house research and development facility as approved by the prescribed authority i.e. Secretary, DSIR. Subsequently, a number of other sectors were added to the list of eligible sectors. From the year 2009 the benefits have been extended to all sectors of industry with a select list of non-priority items. Rate of weighted tax deduction was raised from 125 per cent to 150 per cent subsequent to the year ending March, 2000. The rate of weighted tax deduction was further enhanced to 200% from 1st April 2010. Initially the provision was introduced up to 31st March, 2000. The provision was extended from time to time initially till 31st March, 2005 and then up to 31st March, 2007, further up to 31st March 2012. In the Union Budget 2012, the provision was extended up to 31st March 2017. In the Union Budget 2016, the provision has been further extended up to 31st March 2020. The rate of weighted tax deduction has been lowered from 200% to 150% from 1st April 2017.

Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Ministry of Finance, Government of India issued a notification No. 29/2016 dated 28 April, 2016 amending the Income Tax rules, 1962 and Forms 3CK, 3CM & 3CL with respect to weighted tax deduction on expenditure incurred by a company engaged in the business of biotechnology, manufacture or production of any article/thing (other than those specified in the Eleventh Schedule), on scientific research (not being expenditure in the nature of cost of any land or building) in the in house R&D centers as approved by the DSIR, prescribed authority. As a follow up, the Programme division updated the Fiscal Incentive (FI) guidelines for approval of in-house research and development (R&D) centers and submission of prescribed report under section 35(2AB) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (the Act). The Guidelines were revised implementing amendments notified by CBDT.

The revised guidelines substitute the new Forms- Form 3CK, 3CM, 3CL and 3CLA and brings updation in the conditions for approvals in Form 3CM and eligibility of research expenditure for weighted tax deductions. The guidelines have been updated with the concurrence of CBDT, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance and with the approval of Prescribed Authority. The revised guidelines are uploaded on DSIR website.

Introduction of electronic filing of FORM 3CLA:

In line with the amended rules notified by CBDT, a new Form 3CLA (report from an accountant relating to in-house scientific R&D facility) has been introduced in the Fiscal Incentive Guidelines, which is to be duly certified and furnished electronically to the Secretary, DSIR by the accountant of the Company. Department has registered itself as an external agency on Income Tax E-filing website (www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in) for receipt of electronically furnished Form 3CLA. Income Tax e-filing unit is working on the deployment of functionality on DSIR Income Tax website login.

The Fiscal Incentive division of DSIR is also supporting Income Tax e-filing unit in implementation of electronic furnishing of report in Form 3CL, quantifying the expenditure incurred on approved in-house R&D facility of the company u/s 35(2AB) of the Act. Electronic filing of the form and report will bring transparency and save a lot of time and cost of taxpayer/applicant.

Building Industrial Research & Development and Common Research Facility (BIRD-crf)

Common Research and Technology Development Hubs (CRTDHs)

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) has a program for providing support to Common Research and Technology Development Hubs (CRTDHs) that aims to enhance translational research and fostering industry institution interaction targeted towards innovative product development. CRTDHs provide facilities to research institutes and enterprises for translation of scientific knowledge, ideas and inventions into products and services. The facilities at CRTDHs will be used by the Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) / Innovators. The CRTDHs shall be operated on a cost plus non-commercial basis and are evolving a business model for self-sustainability.

The DSIR-CRTDH programme is aimed at creation of common research facilities equipped with analytical equipment and pilot plant facilities to facilitate and encourage enterprises, startups and micro and small enterprises for R&D and technology development.

Three such hubs were approved under the program in the first phase as follows:

During 2016-17, in the second phase, the Department approved setting up of four new hubs as follows:

Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs (PRISM)

The programme aims to support individual innovators having original ideas to convert them into working models, prototypes etc. It also aims at supporting autonomous institutions or organizations or registered society for developing state-of-art new technology solutions aimed at helping MSME units in industrial clusters.

To expand the reach of PRISM among common masses:

• – During 2014-2015, fifteen new TePP Outreach cum Cluster Innovation Centre (TOCIC) has been set up by DSIR at CSIR-Central Scientific Instruments Organization(CSIO), Chandigarh; CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute(CMERI), Durgapur; Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur ; CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat ; SIDBI Innovation and Incubation Centre, IIT Kanpur; Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur; CSIR- Central Glass Ceramic Research Institute (CGCRI), Kolkata; CSIR-Institute of Himalyan Bio-resources, Palampur; Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee; University of Kashmir, Srinagar (J&K); Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalam, Tirupati; College of Technology & Engineering (CTAE), Udaipur ; Indian Institute of Technology Varanasi and Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram; University of Madras, Chennai.
• – During 2016-2017, two new TePP Outreach cum Cluster Innovation Centre (TOCIC) has been set up by DSIR at Indian Insttute of Technology, Guwahati (Assam) and CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore.
• – During 2017-2018, one new TePP Outreach cum Cluster Innovation Centre (TOCIC) has been set up by DSIR at Gujarat State Bio-technology Mission (GSBTM), Government of Gujarat, Gandhinagar (Gujarat)

A number of other activities organised/ participated by PRISM during the year to sensitize academia, disseminate information on PRISM to the larger mass of the populace network partners and impact generation among common masses:

• – To sensitize academia, disseminate information on TePP to the larger mass of the populace network partners and impact generation among common masses, PRISM/TePP participated in (1) Sensitization Programme on PRISM , Durgapur (July 5, 2014); (2) PRISM Workshop cum Symposium at IIT Kharagpur (July 7, 2014); (3) 10th Government Achievements & Schemes Expo 2014, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi (25-27 July, 2014); (4) Innovation Clinic for MSME Clusters, Kolkata (August 13, 2014) (Lighting, Zari, Fan & Surgical Tools); (5) PRISM Workshop & Awareness, Kolkata (August 19, 2014); (6) Outreach Camp for Students & Faculty, Barasat, North 24 Pargana (West Bengal) (August 20, 2014); (7) Outreach Camp for entrepreneur at Metal Cluster, Howrah (August 25, 2014); (8) PRISM Awareness Camps, Guntur, August 26, 2014; (9) Students Sensitization Programme, BB College , Asansol (September 4, 2014); (10) Workshop on Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Tirupati (September 10, 2014); (11) PRISM Sensitization Programme for Students, NIT Mizoram (September 11, 2014); (12) Innovators Awareness Camp at CSIRCDAR, Aizol (Mizoram) (September 12, 2014); (13) PRISM Awareness Camp at IIT Varanasi (September 12-13, 2014); and (14) Vibrant India 2014 & 9th Meri Dilli Utsav at New Delhi (October 17-19, 2014).
• – A review meeting was also organised at College of Technology and Engineering, Udaipur during October 8-9, 2014 to review the progress of various TePP Outreach cum Cluster Innovation Centre (TOCICs).
• – Third Party evaluation of erstwhile Technopreneur Promotion Programme(TePP) Scheme operated during 11th five year plan has successfully been completed by Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi during the month of September, 2014. IIPA, New Delhi has recommended the continuation of TePP Scheme and has opined that with the present thrust “Make in India”, the programme will be very useful.
• – A TePP innovator – Dr. Suresh Kumar Nair, CEO, Innobreeze bagged Top Gold award in Medical for Medical Devices Category for his innovation “Non Invasive Oral Cancer Detection System (BreezeScan). BreezeScan has also won the DSTLockheed India Innovation Growth Program award. The device uses light rays for different wavelengths passing through human tissue via an optical fibre probe to help locate pre-cancerous and cancerous cells non-invasively. When cancer cells get formed, there are bio-chemicals, morphological and vascular changes in tissues and the fibre-optic light reflected carries that information. “ It is like a torch – the optical fibre tip of the probe glows and the received light that has passed through the tissue contains all the information needed to detect carcinoma.
• – To sensitize academia, disseminate information on PRISM to the larger mass of the populace, network partners and impact generation among common masses, PRISM participated In 102^nd session of Indian Science Congress 2015 Exhition under the theme “Science & Technology for Human Development” (January 3-7, 2015) at University of Mumbai, Mumbai.
• – PRISM innovators participated in India International Innovation Fair 2016 at Bangalore during September 9 – 11, 2016.
• – PRISM innovators participated in India International Innovation Fair 2017 at Vishakhapatnam during September 9 – 11, 2017.
• – A review meeting of TePP Outreach cum Cluster Innovation Centre (TOCIC) in association with SIDBI Innovation and Incubation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur was organized during November 21-22, 2016 at Kanpur. On this occasion, a product exhibition was also organized to create awareness among common public.
• – To evaluate the performance of PRISM Scheme during 12th five year plan, two review meetings were organized during the period under report.

Patent Acquisition and Collaborative Research and Technology Development (PACE)

The DSIR through the PACE scheme provides catalytic support to industries and institutions for development and demonstration of innovative product and process technologies, traversing the journey from proof of concept or laboratory stage to pilot stage, so that they can be launched for commercialization. The scheme supports ingenious work and assists in development of new technologies or creative/innovative application of the existing technologies to solve unmet needs of industry. The scheme also strengthens the interface between industry, R&D establishments and academic institutions by supporting collaborative proposals.

The scheme also jointly supports initiatives of other Ministries / Departments aimed at technology development and demonstration, e.g. IMPRINT initiative of Ministry of Human Resource Development, wherein institutions of higher learning are being supported for development and demonstration of technologies. Support is provided for proposals which give clear evidence of existence of proof-of-concept and aim at developing an innovative content for fulfilling an unmet need. Development and demonstration of technologies can be undertaken by industries alone (including in-house R&D centres of the industry recognized by DSIR) or in collaboration with Universities, Public Funded Research Institutions or academic institutions in India or abroad.

The technology development projects supported under the scheme aim at development of a new product or a process with attractive market potential which will result in significant benefits to the industry concerned in terms of raising its technological level, turnover, energy and material savings/recovery, export sales etc. Focus sectors include (i) Energy & Environment, (ii) Affordable healthcare including Drugs & Pharmaceuticals and Medical Equipment & Devices (iii) Agriculture, food & nutrition, (iv) Engineering (auto-components, machine tools & foundry), (v) Specialty Chemicals etc.

The objectives of the scheme are:

• – To support development and demonstration of indigenous product / process technologies, either by industry or by R&D organizations/academic institutions/ universities aimed at commercialization of new products and processes;
• – To jointly support initiatives of other Ministries / Departments aimed at technology development and demonstration, e.g. IMPRINT initiative of Ministry of Human Resource Development, wherein institutions of higher learning are being supported for development and demonstration of technologies.
• – To support collaborative research between Indian Industry and R&D organizations/ academic institutions/ universities for development and demonstration of lab scale technologies, aimed at commercialization of new products and processes;

DSIR has received 50 proposals from industries of which 14 were recommended for support by Technical Advisory Committee. Out of the 14 proposals, 10 proposals were sanctioned and 8 proposals are at various stages of completion.

IMPacting Research INovation and Technology (IMPRINT)

IMPacting Research INovation and Technology (IMPRINT), a flagship programme launched by the Hon’ble PM on 5^th November 2015 is being implemented by Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). A MoU among 25 Ministries/Departments of GoI was signed on 31 March 2016 for implementation of IMPRINT programme. DSIR is one of the signatories. 10 Technology domains have been identified under IMPRINT in which technology development proposals from IITs, IISc, NITs etc shall be supported. 50% of the funding for proposals shall be by MHRD and remaining 50% by the participating department. DSIR has been identified as the participating department in the Manufacturing Technology and Water Resources Domains and the coordinating institutes for the two domains are IIT-Madras and IIT-Kanpur respectively. DSIR has supported five projects of IITs and IISc in the two technology domains of Manufacturing Technology and Water Resources.

Access to Knowledge for Technology Development and Dissemination (A2K+)

Access to Knowledge for Technology Development and Dissemination (A2K+) is a scheme targeted towards disseminating science, technology and innovation related information to industries, research and academic institutions, In-house R&D units of industry, Scientific & Industrial Research Organizations (SIROs), consultants, industry associations, techno-entrepreneurs, government departments and others. Programmes supported under the scheme are the following:

• – Supporting industrial technology related studies (A2K+ Studies)
• – Supporting the organization of national and international conferences, exhibitions etc. (A2K+ Events)
• – Technology Development and Utlization Programme for Women (TDUPW)
• – Supporting on-going projects of Technology Development and Demonstration Programme (TDDP)

A2K+ Studies

The main objective of the programme is to undertake industrial technology related studies on frontier areas of technology that impact the country. The study-reports are aimed at providing a useful information and knowledge base to industry, industry associations, academia, research institutions, consultants, entrepreneurs, research students and policy makers for initiating useful projects and carrying out further work in these areas.

Studies undertaken include: technology status studies in specific product and process areas, analytical reports of specific industry clusters, cases studies bringing out industry practices, research studies on industry related subjects, technology norms of industrial sectors, and other categories of reports.

Three studies sanctioned during last 4 years are continuing and are at various stages of completion

A2K+ Events

The sub-scheme on A2K+ Events supports organization of workshops, interactions, training programmes, exhibitions and other events and provides a platform for exchange of views among industry, consultancy organizations, academic and research institutions. The scheme assists in developing useful insights on issues relating to industrial research and technological innovation and in evolving tools and techniques to remain competitive in today’s business climate. The scheme also aims at identification of collaborative projects between academia, institutions and industry during their participation in the events supported under the scheme.

Technology Development and Utilization Programme for Women (TDUPW)

The program is aimed at technological capability building of women and enabling them to earn a better livelihood. The objectives of the programme are:

• – Promoting the adoption of new technologies by women.
• – Awareness creation and training of women on technology related issues with regard to women.
• – Promoting Technology up gradation (through technologies developed by scientific establishments) of micro, small and medium enterprises run by women Self Help Groups(SHGs)/entrepreneurs .
• – Showcasing of appropriate technologies developed by scientific establishments and organizing demonstration programmes for the benefit of women.
• – Design and development of products and processes beneficial to women.
• – Diffusion of technologies developed by scientific establishments for reduction of drudgery and empowerment of women.

During last 4 years, 19 spillover women centric projects were completed and 8 new projects were sanctioned and supported.

Technology Development and Demonstration Programme (TDDP)

The programme was discontinued in 12^th FY Plan and only the spillover projects were supported under A2K+ Scheme. The Department had been providing partial financial support to research, development, design and engineering (RDDE) projects proposed by industry in the following areas:

• – Development of a new or improved product resulting in prototype development and ending with demonstration in commercial environment.
• – Development of a new or improved process resulting in establishment of process knowhow,
• – Development of process equipment and demonstration of yield, efficacy etc on a pilot plant.
• – Absorption and up-gradation of imported technology.
• – Priority technology development projects of PSUs in consultation with and co-financing from economic ministries. Under this, consortium projects for development of technologies of common interests for group of industries or associations to be undertaken by industrial units, national laboratories, user industries in important focused areas such as Electronics and Communications,
• – Railways, Drugs, Chemicals and Fertilizers etc.
• – Development and demonstration of technologies for common use by industry clusters.
• – Development and demonstration of technologies for government’s flagship and mission mode projects.

The partial financial support by DSIR in the above areas primarily covers prototype development and pilot plant work, testing and evaluation of products from such R&D, user trials, etc. Bulk of the cost of the project is met from the proposer industry’s resources.

The Technology Development and Demonstration Programme (TDDP) started in 1992 and the department has supported 254 R&D projects of Industrial units with a total project cost of Rs. 750.60 crores in which DSIR support is Rs. 280.40 crores. The projects cover a number of industry sectors and the share of these industry sectors in the project supported are: 32% engineering; 27% electronics; 21% Chemical; 7% energy and waste utilization and 13% Health & Pharma. The projects supported have been spread over 22 states of the country and the share of top five states in the number of project supported is: Andhra Pradesh 18%, Karnataka 15%, Maharashtra 13%, Delhi 10% and Tamil Nadu 10%. 98 technologies developed under the scheme have been commercialized and the department has received a cumulative royalty of around Rs.52.54 Crore during 1997-2017.

During the last 4 years, progress of 66 on-going projects was monitored and 53 projects were successfully completed.