India Science and Technology Scoreboard launched for comparing state research ecosystems

The India Science and Technology Scoreboard was launched in New Delhi on 3 November 2026 by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri. The interactive platform brings together state and Union Territory information on scientific institutions and research outputs. It supports comparisons and examination of trends, including research quality, impact, collaboration and open access.

Facts to remember

• Launch: 3 November 2026, New Delhi.
• Launching official: Ashok Kumar Lahiri, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog.
• Coverage includes higher education, research institutions, deep technology startups and incubators.
• Outputs covered include publications and patents, alongside indicators of quality and collaboration.

Background

NITI Aayog is the Union Government’s principal policy think tank. It was constituted through a Union Cabinet resolution dated 1 January 2015. It provides strategic and technical advice to the Centre, states and Union Territories, and supports cooperation among governments on development priorities. Its objectives include building a knowledge and innovation support system, encouraging partnerships with research institutions and monitoring the effectiveness of policy programmes. Cooperative federalism involves bringing states into a shared development process. A common information platform can help that process by making regional experience easier to compare. For revision, distinguish the policy institution responsible for the platform from the universities, laboratories and businesses whose activity forms part of the information being examined.

Why it matters for exams

For CLAT and UGC-NET Law, connect the launch with science policy, public institutions and cooperative federalism. In current affairs questions, identify the launching institution and purpose before drawing conclusions from any individual indicator or comparison.