New Delhi: The national research infrastructure in India is set to become more accessible to startups following the launch of an API integration between the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade’s (DPIIT) Startup India Portal and the Indian Science, Technology and Engineering Facilities Map (I-STEM) Portal.
The initiative was launched on 6 November 2026 by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, in collaboration with DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The launch took place under the chairmanship of Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA).
The integration aims to strengthen connections between India’s startup ecosystem and its national research infrastructure by enabling DPIIT-recognised startups to discover and access existing scientific, research and testing facilities across the country.
The launch was attended by Dr. (Mrs.) Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of the PSA, and Ateesh Kumar Singh, Additional Secretary, DPIIT.
Dr. Vishal Choudhary, Scientist-F; Dr. Santhosh Nair, Scientist-D; Dr. Shefali Uttam, Technical Staff, Office of the PSA; and members of the DPIIT and I-STEM teams were also present.
During the event, Dr. Vishal Choudhary delivered a brief presentation on the current status and impact of I-STEM.
National Research Infrastructure Integration to Reduce R&D Costs for Startups
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood highlighted that the integration represents an institutional convergence beyond a digital interface, connecting startup requirements with the scientific infrastructure and technical capabilities available across the country.
He emphasised its potential to lower research and development (R&D) costs, avoid duplication of capital-intensive facilities and enhance the utilisation of publicly funded infrastructure.
Prof. Sood also underscored the importance of stronger industry–academia linkages and access to specialised facilities for deep-tech startups across different stages of technology development, including prototyping, testing and validation.
The integration is expected to improve access to the country’s national research infrastructure, particularly for startups that require specialised scientific equipment and institutional capabilities but may not have the resources to establish such facilities independently.
I-STEM Integration to Improve Access to Scientific Facilities
Dr. Parvinder Maini highlighted I-STEM’s role in promoting the sharing and optimal utilisation of scientific infrastructure across academic and research institutions.
She noted that the integration would simplify the discovery of relevant facilities for DPIIT-recognised startups, helping address infrastructure-related barriers to technology development and innovation.
By connecting the Startup India Portal with I-STEM, startups will be able to identify existing research and testing facilities that can support their innovation requirements.
The initiative is expected to make India’s national research infrastructure more accessible to startups while encouraging better utilisation of scientific facilities available across academic and research institutions.
DPIIT Integration to Support Deep-Tech Startups
Shri Ateesh Kumar Singh highlighted the role of the integration in strengthening DPIIT’s efforts to build an enabling environment for startups, particularly in the deep-tech sector.
He noted that the integration would provide DPIIT-recognised startups with improved visibility of specialised research, testing and prototyping facilities.
This will enable startups to identify suitable infrastructure, reduce the need for independent capital investment in expensive equipment, and access institutional capabilities to support product development, testing and technology validation.
Access to these facilities is particularly relevant for deep-tech startups that require specialised equipment and technical infrastructure to develop and validate their technologies.
How the Startup India and I-STEM API Integration Will Work
The integration will facilitate seamless, API-enabled interoperability between the Startup India Portal and I-STEM. The initiative also proposes incorporating Single Sign-On (SSO) functionality in subsequent phases.
Through this integration, DPIIT-recognised startups will be able to directly access and leverage I-STEM’s scientific infrastructure and research facilities through the Startup India Portal.
Automated verification of DPIIT recognition status and seamless linking will streamline the onboarding process and facilitate the discovery of scientific equipment and research facilities.
While the integration simplifies the process of identifying and requesting access to infrastructure, individual requests will continue to be evaluated and approved by the respective host institutions.
Approvals will be based on technical suitability, availability, applicable charges, safety requirements and institutional permissions.
This means that although startups will have improved visibility and easier access to information about available facilities, the respective host institutions will retain the authority to assess and approve individual requests.
I-STEM Lists 31,540 Equipment Items Across 4,044 Institutions
As of 6 November 2026, I-STEM listed 31,540 equipment items across 4,044 registered institutions, providing a substantial national resource base for researchers and innovators.
The Startup India and I-STEM integration is expected to improve the discoverability and utilisation of this existing research infrastructure by connecting DPIIT-recognised startups with facilities available across the country.
The initiative brings together the complementary institutional strengths of DPIIT and the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to build a more connected and resource-efficient innovation ecosystem.
Wider onboarding of research facilities, regular updation of infrastructure information and sustained engagement with startups and host institutions will be essential to maximise the initiative’s reach.
