PARLIAMENT QUESTION: COMMERCIALISATION AND TRANSFER OF GOVERNMENT-DEVELOPED TECHNOLOGIES

Key Highlights:

• The Government has established institutional and national frameworks for commercializing technologies developed by its laboratories and research institutions.
• National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) is the principal body for technology licensing, transfer, and startup support, having licensed technologies to over 5,100 entrepreneurs.
• Key departments like Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and Department of Science and Technology (DST) have specific mechanisms and guidelines for technology commercialization.
• Biotechnology Industrial Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) has established 7 Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) and 94 biotechnology incubation centers nationwide.
• Government-supported incubation centers provide mentorship, testing facilities, and equity-linked funding to empower startups.
• The Principal Scientific Advisor evaluates IP creation and technology transfer as Innovation Excellence Indicators for R&D organizations.

Detailed Insights:

• NRDC has assisted in filing more than 2,100 Intellectual Properties (IPs) and supports patenting, prototyping, and export of technologies.
• CSIR utilizes its guidelines for Technology Transfer and Utilisation of Knowledgebase for commercialization across its constituent laboratories.
• DBT's IP Guidelines 2023 provide a framework for commercialization, with institutions owning and licensing IP through their mechanisms.
• Institutional mechanisms like CSIR's Business Development Groups (BDGs), incubation centers, and Technical Research Centres (TRCs) facilitate collaborations for commercialization.
• The Technology Development Board (TDB) under DST provides financial assistance for commercializing indigenous technologies.
• BIRAC, under DBT, strengthens academia-industry linkages and IP/technology-transfer management through its TTOs under the National Biopharma Mission.
• NRDC has operationalized outreach centers in Pune, Guwahati, and Bhubaneswar to support technology transfer and IP-filing.
• DST has set up 22 Technology Enabling Centres (TECs) to network researchers with institutions, laboratories, and industry.
• Over the last three years, CSIR facilitated 148 startups, generating Rs. 142.67 lakh in royalty and creating approximately 7,200 jobs.
• DBT's autonomous institutes facilitated 34 startups in biomanufacturing, healthcare, and agritech sectors.
• NRDC supported 13 startups under the Technology Development, Validation & Commercialisation (TDVC) programme.
• NRDC generated over Rs. 9.5 crore in total income (upfront charges and royalty) from technology licensing between 2023-24 and 2025-26.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Intellectual Property (IP): Creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, and symbols, names and images used in commerce.
• Technology Transfer: The process of transferring scientific findings and technological know-how from one organization to another for further development and commercialization.
• Commercialization: The process of introducing a new product, service, or production method into the market to generate revenue.
• Incubation Centres: Facilities that support new businesses and startups by providing resources like office space, mentorship, and funding.