Question : Commercial Launch of Technological Products

(a) whether Science and Technology institutions have commercially launched their technological products in the market during the last three years and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether any step have been taken by the Government to encourage research projects to provide commercial benefits to the scientists and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether there has been slow progress in implementation of DST collaboration with FICCI for commercialisation of technology developed by CSIR;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(e) whether the Government has made any collaboration with national/ international organisations for technology commercialisation and technology transfer; and

(f) if so, the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES AND MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a) Yes, Madam. During the last three years, 147 technological products by laboratories of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), 46 technological products by Science and Technology Institutions of Department of Biotechnology and 101 technological products by Science and Technology institutions funded/supported by Department of Science and Technology have been commercially launched in the market.

(b) Yes, Madam. Government has taken steps to encourage research projects to provide commercial benefit which included implementation of Accelerated Translational Grant for Commercialization and Promoting Academic Research Conversion to Enterprise programs for taking forward innovations to market in collaboration with the industrial partner. Government has also encouraged research projects to provide commercial benefits to the scientists by providing an impetus to the development and commercialization of their inventions and innovations.

(c) No, Madam.

(d) Does not arise.

(e) & (f): Yes, Madam. Government is promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and development of commercial technologies through its collaborative organisation such as a not-for-profit Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) company known as Global Innovation & Technology Alliance (GITA), Indo-U.S Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF), Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC) and other bilateral programs with different countries. GITA, presently implements bilateral industry-led R&D and Innovation Funds with Canada, Finland, Israel, Italy, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom in partnership with the concerned respective Government agencies / innovation authorities.

During last three years, Industrial Research & Development Programmes have been initiated with South Korea and Italy for promoting technological innovation that have commercial potential. These programmes aim to foster and support collaborative R&D projects which are led by industries from both sides aimed at joint development of innovative products or processes. Apart from this, DST India is collaborating with DST South Africa through National Innovation Foundation, India (NIF) and Technology Localization Implementation Unit (TLIU), South Africa to develop technology localization/exchange programme. The Department of Biotechnology has been supporting Research and Development activities in Biotechnology sector in collaboration with Research and Development Institutions located in foreign countries for collaborative Research Technology and Product Development.

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