In a move aimed at strengthening research and technological advancement, the Gujarat government has launched the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy 2026–31 during the Gujarat Semiconnect Conference held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The new framework replaces the policy introduced in 2018 and focuses on accelerating indigenous innovation across emerging and strategic sectors.
A key highlight of the policy is the Rs 1,000 crore Swadeshi Anusandhan Fund, designed to boost domestic research and reduce dependence on imports. The initiative will support more than 100 high-impact research projects every year across areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technologies, biotechnology, green energy, defence technologies, immersive technologies and space technologies.
Along with frontier technologies, the policy also promotes innovation in blockchain, IoT and edge computing. It further aims to strengthen Gujarat’s established industrial sectors, including chemicals and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, and agro and food processing industries.
The government has also announced the formation of Gujarat Rajya Research & Innovation Clusters (GRRIC) to encourage regional collaboration and shared resources between industry and research institutions. The initiative has begun with the Gandhinagar-Ahmedabad region and will expand to Vadodara-Surat and Rajkot-Bhavnagar-Juagadh-Jamnagar clusters.
Under the policy, 250 fellows will be supported through Junior, Senior and Postdoctoral Research Fellowships, along with a dedicated innovation fellowship for women. A unified Gujarat R&D portal and a large-scale STEM engagement programme will also be introduced to improve access and participation.
“The policy entails deploying mobile science laboratories, in addition to science city and district science centres, as part of an outreach initiative. The state targets over 1,000 intellectual property (IP) filings, including 500 patents, to enhance industry-academia collaboration,” said a senior DST official.
The government also plans to increase research and development spending under STI from 0.65% to 1% of the gross state domestic product (GSDP), reinforcing Gujarat’s ambition to become a leading hub for science-led growth and innovation.
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