Haryana Steps Up Research Focus, Rs. 11.25 Crore Granted for 90 Projects

Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the strength of any country or state does not lie in its grand buildings and structures, but in the knowledge, research and innovation of its youth. He called upon researchers to undertake in-depth research on issues related to the development of the State and public welfare, and to promote research and innovation by making use of the latest technology.

The Chief Minister was addressing an interaction programme with researchers from higher educational institutions as the Chief Guest at the Swarna Jayanti Haryana Institute for Fiscal Management in Sector 3, Panchkula, on Friday.  Haryana Education Minister, Sh. Mahipal Dhanda was also present on the occasion.

He said that in the Budget for 2026-27, an additional provision of Rs. 20 crore has been made for the ‘Haryana State Research Fund’ to translate ‘Haryana Vision-2047’ into reality. Under this initiative, researchers from colleges, universities and private universities discussed their respective projects with the Chief Minister for 90 research projects.

The Haryana State Higher Education Council has provided financial assistance of Rs. 11.25 crore to these researchers.

The Chief Minister said that research should not remain confined merely to publishing research papers and writing books; rather, its objective should be to make society and people’s lives easier. Knowledge and research have the power to address pressing societal problems and benefit people. Serious issues such as water management, climate change and agricultural production are major challenges before us today. Researchers can make an important contribution towards finding solutions to these challenges through their research.

He said that water is a natural resource and cannot be created. Only if water is conserved today can life be sustained tomorrow. Therefore, greater attention needs to be paid to this issue. The water demand is continuously increasing due to growing industrialisation and urbanisation. Industries also require water, while the groundwater level is steadily declining and its quality is also being affected. Research should explore ways to improve groundwater levels and enhance water quality.

The Chief Minister said that no problem is too big for a person and every problem can be solved. Researchers, through their knowledge and talent, can make a significant contribution towards making people’s lives easier. We aim to make Haryana a leading centre of research, innovation, new thinking and knowledge-based development—a Haryana that, powered by entrepreneurship and technology, plays a leading role in building ‘Viksit Bharat-2047’ in accordance with the vision of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, he said.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the definition of power is changing today. In the future, those countries and states that possess new knowledge and new technology will be the most powerful.

The Chief Minister called upon researchers to draw inspiration from the lines of the poem by Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister, late Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee—“हार नहीं मानूंगा, रार नई ठानूंगा, काल के कपाल पर लिखता-मिटाता हूं, गीत नया गाता हूं”—and continue their efforts until their research yields meaningful results.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini further told the researchers that their research should be connected with the soil of Haryana and the real needs of its people. Issues such as how to achieve higher agricultural production with less water, improve soil health, utilise crop residue, develop effective models for water management and groundwater conservation, and address the impact of climate change on agriculture and people’s lives are directly linked to our villages, farmers and future generations. Researchers should pay special attention to these areas.

The Chief Minister said that emerging technologies such as biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, digital technology and new materials are transforming the landscape of education, employment and the economy. Our education and research system must also move forward in accordance with these changes. Bridging the gap between education and employment is also a priority.

*Linking Research with Patents, Technology Transfer and Innovation a Priority of Government – Education Minister*

ducation Minister, Sh. Mahipal Dhanda said that higher education, research and innovation will play the most important role in building a developed, modern and knowledge-based State under ‘Haryana Vision-2047’. He said that research in the State would not remain confined to books and research papers, but would be directly linked to finding solutions to grassroots problems.

The Education Minister said that financial assistance of Rs. 11.25 crore has been provided for 90 research projects under the ‘Haryana State Research Fund’ launched by the State Government. The Government’s primary objective is to link research with patents, technology transfer and innovation so that an idea originating in a university can, through patents and technology, be transformed into a product, enterprise and employment.

Sh. Mahipal Dhanda said that the Haryana State Higher Education Council has prepared a framework for the effective implementation of the announcements made by the Chief Minister for higher education and youth in the 2026-27 Budget. Under NEP-2020, policies such as three- and four-year undergraduate programmes, the Academic Bank of Credits and multiple entry-exit are being implemented on the ground.

He said that youth are being connected with industry through Career Development Cells, while the Indian Knowledge System is being integrated into modern education. Through this strong partnership among the Government, universities, industry and the Haryana State Research Fund, Haryana’s youth will not merely be job seekers but will become job creators. 

*90 Projects Approved Out of 350 Research Proposals – Prof. K.C. Sharma*

Chairman, Haryana State Higher Education Council, Prof. K.C. Sharma apprised the Chief Minister that, in accordance with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat-Viksit Haryana-2047’, the Council had prepared common guidelines, which were issued to all universities and colleges.

He said that a total of 350 applications were received under the Haryana State Research Project. Of these, 163 applications were approved by the Screening Committee. Subsequently, 90 project applications were finally approved, including projects of 75 faculty members and 15 students.

He said that, as per the directions of the Chief Minister, financial assistance has also been released to researchers from private universities, in addition to those from government colleges and universities.

*Researchers Given Target of 5,000 Patents – Dr Raj Nehru* 

Director General, Swarna Jayanti Haryana Institute for Fiscal Management and OSD to Chief Minister, Dr Raj Nehru, while addressing the gathering, highlighted the role of researchers in realising the vision of a developed Haryana. He said that in line with the goal of Viksit Bharat-2047, researchers have been given a target of 5,000 patents, to also commercialise these patents in collaboration with industry.

*Target of 1,000 Patents by 2030 – A.K. Singh*

Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Sh. A.K. Singh said that a target of 168 patents was set last year, while the target has been increased to 350 this year and is aimed to be raised to 1,000 by 2030.

Vice-Chairman of the Haryana State Higher Education Council, Prof. S.K. Gakhar, along with researchers, professors and students from higher educational institutions, was also present on the occasion.