Gujarat Unveils STI Policy To Boost Tech Innovation

From semiconductor clusters to a ₹10 billion research fund, Gujarat’s new STI Policy aims to set the stage for innovation, talent growth and global competitiveness in electronics.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy 2026–2031 at the Gujarat SemiConnect Conference in Gandhinagar.

The policy introduces a ₹10 billion Swadeshi Anusandhan Fund to accelerate indigenous research and reduce import dependence in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, biotechnology, defence, green energy, and space.

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Officials said more than 100 high-impact projects will be supported annually, with a strong focus on electronics and semiconductor innovation.

Furthermore, to build collaborative infrastructure, Gujarat will establish Rajya Research and Innovation Clusters (GRRIC), beginning with Gandhinagar-Ahmedabad and later expanding to Vadodara-Surat and Rajkot-Bhavnagar-Junagadh-Jamnagar.

These clusters will host advanced R&D hubs, shared laboratories and industry-academia platforms, aimed at fostering semiconductor design, testing and manufacturing capabilities.

The policy also sets a target of nurturing one lakh skilled researchers by 2030 through fellowships, including a dedicated programme for women in innovation. A unified Gujarat R&D portal and STEM engagement initiatives will support talent development, while expanded science centres and mobile laboratories will strengthen grassroots outreach.

For the electronics sector, the policy emphasises the creation of intellectual property (IP), with more than 200 IP facilitation centres planned to drive over 1000 filings annually, including at least 500 patents. This is expected to enhance industry–academia collaboration and global competitiveness in semiconductors and related technologies.

By combining funding, infrastructure and talent development, Gujarat aims to position itself as a leading innovation-driven economy, with semiconductors and electronics at the core of its industrial growth strategy.