Govt plans 7 new research parks under ‘Start up India’ scheme

The Action Plan for Startup India launched by Prime Minister on 16 January 2016 envisages setting up of 7 new research parks modeled on the Research Park at IIT Madras under the `Start up India' scheme, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru in Karnataka has been selected for establishing a research park in the Action Plan, minister of state (independent charge) in the ministry of commerce and industry Nirmala Sitharaman stated in a written reply in the House.

Similarly, the Action Plan envisages setting up or scaling up of 18 Technology Business Incubators (TBI) at NITs/IITs/IIMs etc NIT Calicut, IISER Thiruvanthapuram and IIM Kozhikode in Kerala have been selected for setting up of Technology Business Incubators, she added.

There is, however, no separate city-wise or state-wise allocation under the Atal Innovation Mission, which will oversee Start-up' action as approved on 24 February 2016, the minister pointed out.

The Atal Innovation Mission, set up under NITI, will work as an innovation promotion platform involving academics, entrepreneurs, and researchers drawing upon national and international experiences to foster a culture of innovation, R&D in India. The platform will also promote a network of world-class innovation hubs and grand challenges for India.