New Delhi, November 5, 2026: NITI Aayog has launched the India Science and Technology (S&T) Scoreboard, an interactive platform designed to assess research and innovation across India's states and Union Territories. The initiative brings together information on research institutions, scientific publications, patent applications, deep-tech startups and incubators to provide a broader picture of the country's science and technology ecosystem.
The scoreboard was launched on November 3, 2026, in New Delhi by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri. It aims to help governments understand their research capabilities, identify gaps and compare progress using a common set of indicators. The platform is also intended to support evidence-based policymaking and strengthen cooperation between states.
A Centralised Platform for Science and Technology Data
Research and innovation data in India has traditionally been available across different institutions and sources. This can make it difficult for state governments to compare performance, identify research strengths and understand where additional support may be required.
The India S&T Scoreboard addresses this challenge by bringing several indicators together on a single digital platform. It covers all across states and Union Territories and provides state-level profiles, comparisons and information on research and innovation activities.
According to NITI Aayog, the platform goes beyond counting research publications and patent applications. It also includes indicators related to research quality, citation impact, international collaboration and open access. This broader approach is intended to help policymakers assess not only how much research is being produced but also its reach and influence.
What Does the India S&T Scoreboard Measure?
The platform brings together information from different parts of the science and technology ecosystem. These include higher education institutions, research and development institutions, deep-tech startups and incubators.
It also tracks scientific outputs, particularly research publications and patent applications. Users can explore the information through three broad sectors: academia, government research and development laboratories, and industry.
The scoreboard includes indicators across priority research areas such as artificial intelligence and cyberphysical systems, biotechnology, critical minerals, electronics and semiconductors, clean energy, healthcare, telecommunications and space technologies.
It also provides state profiles and benchmarking features, allowing users to compare research performance and examine the policies and practices adopted by different states.
Key Research and Innovation Indicators
The India S&T Scoreboard brings together key indicators, including research publications, patent applications, research quality and institutional capacity. It also covers higher education institutions, government research laboratories, deep-tech startups and incubators.
By presenting this information across states and Union Territories, the platform allows policymakers to compare research performance, identify gaps and understand the development of their respective science and technology ecosystems. This broader assessment can help governments make informed decisions about research infrastructure, innovation support and future policy priorities.
How the Scoreboard Could Help State Governments
The platform is expected to support state governments in identifying areas where their research ecosystems are performing well and where further development may be needed.
For example, states can use the comparisons to examine their research output, patent activity, institutional capacity and performance across priority technology areas. This information could help policymakers identify gaps in research infrastructure, encourage collaboration between universities and research institutions, and develop programmes suited to regional needs.
The platform may also help states learn from one another. By making comparable information available, it creates an opportunity to study different approaches to research funding, institutional development and innovation support.
At the launch, Lahiri highlighted the importance of a stronger role for states in India's science and technology development. He said the scoreboard could help them identify strengths and gaps, learn from other regions and design better policies and programmes.
Data Quality Will Be Important for Its Effectiveness
Although the scoreboard provides a centralised view of research and innovation, its usefulness will depend on the quality, consistency and regular updating of the underlying data.
Patent applications, for instance, should not be treated as equivalent to granted patents or commercially successful technologies. Similarly, a higher number of research publications does not automatically indicate stronger research impact. Citation quality, collaboration, practical applications and industry participation also matter.
For the platform to support meaningful policy decisions, state governments and research institutions will need to use the information alongside their local requirements and development priorities.
Strengthening India's Research and Innovation Ecosystem
The India S&T Scoreboard is an effort to make state-level science and technology performance more visible and comparable. By combining information on research institutions, publications, patents and innovation infrastructure, it gives policymakers a common platform to examine the country's research capabilities.
Its long-term value will depend on how effectively states use the data to improve research facilities, encourage collaboration and support emerging technology sectors. If regularly updated and used for informed decision-making, the platform could contribute to strengthening India's science and technology ecosystem.
Source:- The Print