Department of Science and Technology (DST)

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is an Indian government department established in May 1971 under the Ministry of Science and Technology in India. It is formed to promote science and technology and also to become a nodal department for organising, coordinating and promoting the activities of scientific and technology in India.

Main responsibilities of the Department of Science and Technology

• Formulation of policies relating to science and technology.

• Matters relating to the Science Advisory Committee of the Cabinet.

• Undertaking or financially sponsoring scientific and technological surveys, research designs and development activities.

• Allocating grants to scientific research institutions, scientific associations and bodies.

• Matters affecting scientific and technical departments/organisations/institutions. Example - financial officers, procurement and import policies and practices.

• Management Information Systems for science and technology and its coordination.

• Promotion of enterprises involving commercialization of such technology not under the Department of Science, Technology and Industrial Research. Matters relating to domestic technology for their promotion.

• All other measures necessary for the promotion of science and technology and their application for the development and security of the country.

• Dissemination of science and technology at the state, district and village levels for basic development through State Science and Technology Councils and other mechanisms.

• Making the benefits of science and technology available to the weaker sections of the society, women and other backward classes.

Areas in which the Department of Science and Technology has the power to take decisions

• Science and Engineering Research Council.

• Technology Development Board and related laws such as Research and Development Cess Act, 1986, Technology Development Board Act, 1995.

• National Council for Science and Technology Communication.

• National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board.

• Autonomous science and technology institutions related to the subject under the Department of Science and Technology including Institute of Astro-Physics and Institute of Geomagnetism.

a. Promotion and funding of professional science academies by the Department of Science and Technology.

b. Survey of India and National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation.

c. National Special Data Infrastructure

d. National Innovation Foundation (Ahmedabad)