Mandate

DST has the following as the mandate and major responsibilities

  1. Formulation of policies relating to Science and Technology (S&T).
  2. Matters relating to the Scientific Advisory Committee to Cabinet (SAC-C).
  3. Promotion of new areas of S&T with special emphasis on emerging areas. 
    • i) R&D through its research institutions or laboratories for development of indigenous technologies concerning bio-fuel production, processing, standardization and    applications, in co-ordination with the concerned Ministry or Department;
    • ii) R&D activities to promote utilization of by-products to
          develop value added chemicals.
  4. Futurology.
  5. Coordination and integration of areas of S&T having cross-sectoral linkages in which a number of institutions and departments have interest and capabilities.
  6. Undertaking or financially sponsoring scientific and technological surveys, research design and development, where necessary.
  7. Support and Grants-in-aid to Scientific Research Institutions, Scientific Associations and Bodies.
  8. All matters concerning:
    • i) Science and Engineering Research Council/Board (SERC/SERB);
    • ii) Technology Development Board (TDB) and related Acts such as the R&D Cess Act,1986 and the TDB Act,1995;
    • iii) National Council for Science and Technology Communication;
    • iv) National S&T Entrepreneurship Development Board;
    • v) International S&T Cooperation including appointment of scientific attaches abroad.;
    • vi) Autonomous S&T Institutions relating to the subject under DST including Institute of Astro-physics and Institute of Geo-magnetism;
    • vii) Professional Science Academies promoted and funded by DST;
    • viii) The Survey of India and National Atlas & Thematic Mapping Organisation;
    • ix) National Spatial Data Infrastructure and promotion of G.I.S;
    • x) The National Innovation Foundation, Ahmedabad.
  9. Matters commonly affecting Scientific and technological departments/ organisations/ institutions e.g. financial, personnel, purchase and import policies and practices.
  10. Management Information Systems for S&T and coordination thereof. Matters regarding Inter-Agency/Inter-Departmental coordination for evolving S&T missions.
  11. Matters concerning domestic technology particularly the promotion of ventures involving the commercialization of such technology other than those under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
  12. All other measures needed for the promotion of S&T and their application to the development and security of the nation.
  13. Matters relating to institutional S&T capacity building including setting up of new institutions and institutional infrastructure.
  14. Promotion of S&T at the State, District, and Village levels for grass- roots development through State S&T Councils and other mechanisms.
  15. Application of S&T for weaker sections, women and other disadvantaged sections of Society.