Science, IT & Communications
Central schemeNITI Aayog
Atal Innovation Mission
What the scheme does
A national innovation initiative that supports an innovation culture, problem solving and entrepreneurship through its notified programmes.
Who it is for
Schools, higher-education institutions, innovators, start-ups, mentors and incubation ecosystems can participate through the relevant AIM programme. Each initiative, such as Atal Tinkering Labs or Atal Incubation Centres, has its own call and selection rules.
Current benefit
AIM builds innovation capacity through school tinkering labs, incubation, challenges, mentor networks and innovation programmes. Support takes the form of selected institutional grants, mentoring, ecosystem access and challenge-based opportunities rather than a universal individual payment.
How to access it
Apply only through the specific official AIM call, challenge or institutional application window. Schools, colleges, incubators and innovators must follow the criteria published for that programme.
Conditions to know
Selection is competitive and programme-specific. A school or institution must meet the published call requirements; an individual should not assume automatic funding simply by registering interest.
Exam answer in one line
Remember: NITI Aayog; innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem; Atal Tinkering Labs, incubation and challenges; programme-specific selection.
InnovationGovernanceEducation
Science, IT & Communications
Central schemeMinistry of Electronics & Information Technology
Digital India
What the scheme does
A flagship programme for digital infrastructure, digital delivery of services and digital empowerment.
Who it is for
Digital India is a national umbrella programme delivered through central ministries, states, Common Service Centres and public digital platforms. Citizens, businesses and government institutions use its component services through their relevant portals.
Current benefit
Digital India is built around nine pillars, including broadband highways, mobile connectivity, public internet access, e-governance, electronic service delivery, information access, electronics manufacturing, IT for jobs and early-harvest programmes. It is an umbrella digital-transformation programme, not one cash scheme.
How to access it
Use the relevant service portal or authorised Common Service Centre. Digital India itself is the umbrella; the correct application path depends on the particular service, such as certificates, payments, skilling or digital access.
Conditions to know
Do not call Digital India a scholarship, loan or direct-benefit scheme. Questions usually test its digital-governance architecture and nine pillars.
Exam answer in one line
Remember: MeitY-led umbrella programme; nine pillars; broadband, mobile connectivity, CSCs, e-governance, electronic delivery and IT for jobs.
Digital governanceScience and technologyGovernance
Science, IT & Communications
Central schemeDepartment of Science & Technology
Research, Development and Innovation Scheme
What the scheme does
A research and innovation financing scheme intended to catalyse private-sector participation in high-impact and strategic technology development.
Who it is for
The RDI Scheme is aimed at private-sector R&D, deep-tech projects and strategic or sunrise-domain innovation through the fund’s notified financial-instrument and implementing-partner routes. It is not a general student scholarship.
Current benefit
The RDI Scheme has a ₹1 lakh crore outlay over six years to catalyse private-sector investment in high-impact R&D, deep-tech and strategic technologies. Support is channelled through notified financial instruments and fund managers; it is project-based, not automatic grant money.
How to access it
Follow the official RDI Fund or designated fund-manager calls for the applicable financial instrument. Companies and eligible entities must submit project, technology, financial and due-diligence material under the notified process.
Conditions to know
The fund is designed to catalyse private R&D and does not finance every type of laboratory, government entity or short-term loan. Applicants must use the current official guidelines and financial-instrument criteria.
Exam answer in one line
Remember: Cabinet approved 1 July 2025; ₹1 lakh crore over six years; private-sector R&D, deep tech and strategic or sunrise domains; DST and the RDI Fund architecture.
Science and technologyEconomyInnovation
Science, IT & Communications
Central schemeDepartment of Science & Technology
Vigyan Dhara
What the scheme does
A unified central-sector scheme for science and technology capacity building, research and development, and innovation or technology deployment.
Who it is for
Academic and research institutions, scientists, researchers, students, innovators and eligible implementing organisations can participate through the specific DST programme or call within the unified Vigyan Dhara framework.
Current benefit
Vigyan Dhara merges three areas: S&T institutional and human-capacity building, research and development, and innovation, technology development and deployment. It supports science infrastructure, talent, research, innovation and technology translation through specific DST programmes.
How to access it
Apply only to the relevant DST call, institution route or implementing programme. The umbrella scheme does not have one common personal application form; each component publishes its own eligibility and proposal process.
Conditions to know
Remember the umbrella structure. A learner should identify the correct DST component or programme rather than claiming one blanket benefit under the name Vigyan Dhara.
Exam answer in one line
Remember: unified DST Central Sector scheme; three components: S&T capacity building, R&D, and innovation/technology development/deployment; effective from 16 January 2025.
Science and technologyInnovationEducation