Gujarat STI Policy 2026–2031

The Gujarat Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) Policy 2026–2031 is a five-year policy framework designed to position Gujarat as a globally recognized research, development, and innovation hub. Anchored by the ₹1,000 crore Swadeshi Anusandhan Fund, the policy promotes the development of indigenous technologies, coordinates regional Science & Technology Clusters, provides research fellowships, supports patent creations, and expands STEM outreach, in pursuit of 'Viksit Gujarat se Viksit Bharat @2047'.

Vision

To leverage Science, Technology and Innovation to accelerate economic growth and drive inclusive, sustainable societal transformation — positioning Gujarat among globally recognised innovation hubs and advancing the State's journey toward Atmanirbharata and 'Viksit Gujarat @2047'.

Objectives

• •Strengthen the R&D and innovation ecosystem across frontier and traditional sectors with region-focused participation.
• •Establish Science & Technology Clusters, starting with the Ahmedabad–Gandhinagar corridor.
• •Develop Swadeshi technologies to reduce import dependence in critical, strategic sectors.
• •Enable 'Ease of Doing Research' through a single-window R&D portal and streamlined funding procedures.
• •Empower scientific human resources to build a pool of 1,00,000 skilled research personnel by 2031.
• •Enhance scientific temper through STEM infrastructure (science centres, ATL labs) aligned with NEP 2020.
• •Accelerate intellectual property creation to achieve 1,000+ filings annually (including 500+ patents).
• •Raise state R&D spend to at least 1% of GSDP by 2031, with line departments allocating 1% of their annual budgets to R&D.

Frontier Technology Sectors

• •AI, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Edge Computing & Quantum Computing.
• •AR/VR/MR/XR and Digital Twin technologies.
• •Blockchain, IoT, Cyber Security & Advanced Connectivity (5G/6G).
• •Biotechnology, Semiconductors, Space Tech & Drone Tech.
• •Defence, Aerospace, and Clean Energy Storage solutions.

Traditional Sectors (Value Addition)

Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Pharmaceuticals (APIs & Bulk Drugs), Ceramics, Agro & Food Processing, Engineering, and Gems & Jewellery.

Science & Technology Clusters (Phased)

GRRIC (Gujarat Rajya Research & Innovation Clusters) will be established as collaborative hubs integrating academia, industry, and civic bodies. Flagship: Ahmedabad–Gandhinagar, followed by Vadodara–Surat, Rajkot–Bhavnagar, and Junagadh–Jamnagar & Kachchh.

Swadeshi Anusandhan Fund — ₹1,000 Crore

• •Administered by the Department of Science & Technology, the fund provides financial grants to researchers, institutions, and organizations working in Gujarat.
• •Aims to support 100+ high-impact research projects annually and grow R&D lab funding by 20% year-on-year.
• •Provides funding to develop indigenous machinery, software, or systems that replace imported components.
• •Organizes the 'Viksit Gujarat Hackathons' at regional and state levels; shortlisted teams receive prototyping and pilot-testing grants.

CSR & Fellowship Framework

• •CSR Mobilisation: Encourages corporates to channel Social Responsibility funds toward early-stage innovations, incubators, and seed funding.
• •Research Fellowships: 250 fellowships (JRF, SRF, and PDF) awarded annually in state priority areas.
• •Women in Innovation: A dedicated fellowship scheme aimed specifically at supporting women researchers in STEM fields.

GRRIC & Common Facilities

S&T clusters act as centers for pilot deployments, technology transfers, and policy advocacy. The State will establish a dedicated Gujarat Innovation & R&D Hub where companies and institutions can set up R&D centers sharing common testing, calibration, and co-working facilities.

Intellectual Property (IP) Creation Targets

• •Target: 1,000+ IP filings annually, including 500+ patents and 100+ international filings.
• •IP Facilitation Centres: 200+ facilitation centres set up across state universities and research hubs using a hub-and-spoke model.

STEM Infrastructure & Grassroots Outreach

Coordinating with Gujarat Science City (Ahmedabad), Regional and District Science Centres will roll out mobile science units, quizzes, experiential learning models, and immersive technology tools to foster scientific temper under Article 51A(h) of the Constitution.

1. 1Monitor Scheme Openings: Access the Gujarat R&D Portal to track specific calls for research proposals issued by DST.
2. 2Hackathon Pitching: Join regional 'Viksit Gujarat Hackathons' to resolve problem statements sourced from line departments and industry.
3. 3Sponsorship Routing: Shortlisted teams move to the incubation pipeline (mentorship → prototyping → pilot testing).
4. 4Establish Research Center: Set up industrial R&D centers within the GRRIC clusters to share common testing and calibration facilities.
5. 5Apply for Fellowships & IP Support: Access JRF/SRF/PDF fellowships or utilize university IP Facilitation Centres to file patents.