DST has the following as the mandate and major responsibilities

  • Formulation of policies relating to Science and Technology (S&T).
  • Matters relating to the Scientific Advisory Committee to Cabinet (SAC-C).
  • Promotion of new areas of S&T with special emphasis on emerging areas. 
    • i) R&D through its research institutions or laboratories for development of indigenous technologies concerning bio-fuel production, processing, standardization and    applications, in co-ordination with the concerned Ministry or Department;
    • ii) R&D activities to promote utilization of by-products to
          develop value added chemicals.
  • Futurology.
  • Coordination and integration of areas of S&T having cross-sectoral linkages in which a number of institutions and departments have interest and capabilities.
  • Undertaking or financially sponsoring scientific and technological surveys, research design and development, where necessary.
  • Support and Grants-in-aid to Scientific Research Institutions, Scientific Associations and Bodies.
  • All matters concerning:
    • i) Science and Engineering Research Council/Board (SERC/SERB);
    • ii) Technology Development Board (TDB) and related Acts such as the R&D Cess Act,1986 and the TDB Act,1995;
    • iii) National Council for Science and Technology Communication;
    • iv) National S&T Entrepreneurship Development Board;
    • v) International S&T Cooperation including appointment of scientific attaches abroad.;
    • vi) Autonomous S&T Institutions relating to the subject under DST including Institute of Astro-physics and Institute of Geo-magnetism;
    • vii) Professional Science Academies promoted and funded by DST;
    • viii) The Survey of India and National Atlas & Thematic Mapping Organisation;
    • ix) National Spatial Data Infrastructure and promotion of G.I.S;
    • x) The National Innovation Foundation, Ahmedabad.
  • Matters commonly affecting Scientific and technological departments/ organisations/ institutions e.g. financial, personnel, purchase and import policies and practices.
  • Management Information Systems for S&T and coordination thereof. Matters regarding Inter-Agency/Inter-Departmental coordination for evolving S&T missions.
  • Matters concerning domestic technology particularly the promotion of ventures involving the commercialization of such technology other than those under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
  • All other measures needed for the promotion of S&T and their application to the development and security of the nation.
  • Matters relating to institutional S&T capacity building including setting up of new institutions and institutional infrastructure.
  • Promotion of S&T at the State, District, and Village levels for grass- roots development through State S&T Councils and other mechanisms.
  • Application of S&T for weaker sections, women and other disadvantaged sections of Society.