NITI Aayog has launched the India S&T Scoreboard, an interactive platform designed to provide a comprehensive picture of science and technology development across Indian states and Union Territories.
Unveiled by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri in New Delhi on Tuesday, the platform aims to strengthen evidence-based policymaking, encourage comparisons between states and support research and innovation ecosystems.
The India S&T Scoreboard brings together information on science and technology infrastructure, research publications, patents and innovation activities.
It provides data on higher education institutions, research and development organisations, deep-tech startups and incubators. States and Union Territories can use the platform to assess their performance, identify gaps and track progress over time.
The dashboard also enables side-by-side comparisons and provides detailed state profiles, including information on policies and best practices.
According to NITI Aayog Senior Adviser Prof. Vivek Kumar Singh, the Scoreboard goes beyond measuring research output by examining quality, impact and collaboration.
The platform covers three major sectors: academia, government research and development laboratories, and industry. It also includes indicators related to open-access practices and priority research areas.
NITI Aayog Member (Science and Technology) Prof. Abhay Karandikar said fragmented information had made it difficult for states to evaluate their research and innovation performance. The new dashboard addresses this challenge by consolidating relevant data into a single platform.
Science and Technology Secretary Prof. Umesh V. Waghmare highlighted the importance of State S&T Councils and universities in expanding India’s research capabilities.
Earth Sciences Secretary Dr. T. Srinivasa Kumar stressed the need to strengthen scientific capacity at the state level, particularly in the use of weather forecasts, early warning systems and opportunities in the ocean sector.
Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri urged states and Union Territories to use the platform to identify strengths, address gaps and exchange best practices.
The launch was followed by a demonstration of the platform and a technical session explaining its methodology and data sources.
Representatives from state governments and academic institutions shared feedback on its further development. They highlighted its potential to support planning, institutional capacity-building and the development of skilled human resources.
The initiative is expected to contribute to stronger state-level science and technology ecosystems and support India’s broader vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
