India’s journey towards becoming a global leader in science, technology, and innovation has seen several policy interventions and institutional mechanisms. One such flagship initiative that aims to bridge the gap between research and its societal application is IMPacting Research, INnovation and Technology (IMPRINT).
Introduction
About
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Launched on November 5, 2015, by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) (now Ministry of Education), IMPRINT is a first-of-its-kind initiative involving all Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). The initiative is designed to develop a roadmap for research to solve major engineering and technology challenges relevant to India.
The overarching goal of IMPRINT is to align research in premier technical institutions with the needs of the nation and to ensure that the output of such research leads to viable, indigenous, and implementable technological solutions.
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Objectives of IMPRINT
The key objectives of the IMPRINT initiative are as follows:
| Objective | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Identify Research Priorities | To focus on areas with the highest potential impact on national development. |
| Promote Translational Research | To bridge the gap between fundamental research and technology development. |
| Enhance Funding and Collaboration | To improve research funding and facilitate collaboration between academia, industry, and government. |
| Indigenize Technology | To reduce dependency on foreign technology through self-reliant innovation. |
| Address Societal Challenges | To provide technological solutions to problems in healthcare, energy, housing, water, etc. |
Genesis and Vision
Launched in 2015, IMPRINT was born from the realization that while India produced globally respected engineers and scientists, research output lacked direction, implementation, and national relevance.
Vision:
To steer research towards national priorities and create technology solutions for India’s most pressing problems, ranging from water scarcity to clean energy, sustainable housing to rural health.
“IMPRINT is not only about innovation in laboratories. It is about innovating for India.” – Ministry of Education
Phases of IMPRINT
IMPRINT-I: The First Phase (2015)
IMPRINT-I was conceptualized as a policy-catalyst programme aimed at identifying research domains that are critical for national progress. The goal was to mobilize the best minds in the country to conduct research in areas of utmost importance to the country.
Focus Areas
IMPRINT-I identified 10 technology domains for focused research:
- Healthcare
- Energy
- Sustainable Habitat
- Security and Defence
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- Water Resources and River Systems
- Advanced Materials
- Manufacturing
- Nano-technology
- Environmental Science and Climate Change
Implementation and Funding
- 268 proposals were selected for implementation.
- Total funding of around ₹ 487.10 crore was sanctioned.
- Funding was shared equally between the Ministry of Education and the partner ministries.
IMPRINT-II: The Second Phase (2018)
Building upon the foundation laid by IMPRINT-I, the government launched IMPRINT-II in March 2018. This phase is being implemented by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), in coordination with the Ministry of Education.
Salient Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Implementing Agency | Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), DST |
| Focus | Science-led, application-oriented, and impact-driven research |
| Target Audience | All academic and research institutions in India |
| Industry Involvement | Emphasis on participation and funding from industries and user ministries |
| Cost Sharing | 50% by MoE, 25% by participating ministry/industry, 25% by academic institution |
Research Domains
IMPRINT-II retained the original 10 domains and expanded the scope to support more collaborative and interdisciplinary projects, with an emphasis on technology translation and commercialization.
IMPRINT-I vs. IMPRINT-II
| Parameter | IMPRINT-I | IMPRINT-II |
|---|---|---|
| Year Launched | 2015 | 2018 |
| Focus | Policy formulation & research identification | Translational research & commercialization |
| Implementing Agency | Ministry of Education | Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), DST |
| Participation | IITs & IISc | All central institutions & eligible research bodies |
| Industry Involvement | Low | High (mandatory cost-sharing encouraged) |
| Total Projects Funded | 259 | 122 (as of 2023) |
| Emphasis | Knowledge generation | Product/process development |
Key Achievements of IMPRINT
- Directed National Research Priorities:
- Successfully aligned research with critical national challenges like clean energy, water, defense, health, and environment.
- Pan-India Academic Participation:
- Engaged IITs, IISc, and other premier institutions in mission-mode research.
- Over 380 Research Projects Funded:
- Across IMPRINT-I and IMPRINT-II, a large number of research projects received funding and support.
- Rs. 1,030+ Crores Mobilized:
- Substantial research funding raised through government and industry partnerships.
- Enhanced Industry-Academia Collaboration:
- Encouraged joint projects with industries, increasing real-world applicability and relevance.
- Indigenous Technology Development:
- Led to the creation of India-specific solutions like water purifiers, low-cost medical devices, and smart grid systems.
- Patent and IPR Generation:
- Boosted innovation output through patent filings and technology transfers.
- Research Commercialization:
- Several IMPRINT-II projects have moved into prototype development and pilot deployment phases.
- Support During COVID-19:
- Enabled the rapid development of indigenous COVID diagnostic kits, ventilators, and PPE innovations.
- Capacity Building in R&D:
- Helped build research infrastructure, faculty capability, and institutional networks in science and technology.
- Technology for Rural India:
- Special focus on low-cost, scalable innovations for rural sanitation, drinking water, and healthcare.
- Policy Influence:
- Played a critical role in shaping NEP 2020’s focus on research and innovation ecosystems.
| Area | Achievements |
|---|---|
| Research Promotion | Encouraged applied research in areas relevant to national needs. |
| Indigenous Technologies | Several technologies developed indigenously such as low-cost medical diagnostic devices, smart grids, and clean water systems. |
| Collaborative Model | Strengthened linkages between academia, industry, and government. |
| Capacity Building | Empowered institutions with resources and platforms for high-end research. |
| Policy Impact | Research outputs have informed policies in water management, energy efficiency, and health. |
Notable Projects under IMPRINT
| Project Title | Domain | Lead Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Indigenous Medical Diagnostic Kit | Healthcare | IIT Madras |
| Smart Grid for Power Distribution | Energy | IIT Bombay |
| Water Purification using Nanotechnology | Water Resources | IIT Kharagpur |
| Lightweight Bulletproof Armour | Defence | IISc Bangalore |
Significance in the Context of National Missions
IMPRINT supports several flagship national missions:
- Make in India –
- by developing indigenous technologies
- Digital India –
- through ICT innovations
- Swachh Bharat Mission –
- via sanitation and water projects
- Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan –
- by promoting self-reliant R&D
Core Pillars of IMPRINT
- Advanced Materials
- Computing and ICT
- Energy
- Environment and Climate Change
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- Nano-Technology
- Security and Defence
- Sustainable Habitat
- Water Resources and River Systems
These sectors are aligned with India’s Strategic Priorities, Make in India, Digital India, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Challenges Faced by IMPRINT
Despite its promising framework, IMPRINT faces several challenges:
| Challenge | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Limited Industry Participation | Difficulty in ensuring active and sustained involvement from the private sector. |
| Funding Constraints | Delays in funding release and inadequate financial support. |
| Commercialization Bottlenecks | Translating research into scalable and market-ready products is still limited. |
| Administrative Delays | Bureaucratic hurdles in project approvals and disbursement. |
Way Forward
To enhance the effectiveness of IMPRINT and its alignment with national development:
- Institutionalize Industry Partnerships through incentives and shared IP models.
- Streamline Funding Mechanisms for quicker release and utilization.
- Strengthen Monitoring and Evaluation to track outcomes and impact.
- Promote Research Clusters and Hubs focused on domain-specific innovation.
- Ensure Policy Integration by linking research output with policy formulation.
Conclusion
The IMPRINT initiative is a visionary step in creating a synergistic research ecosystem that integrates academia, industry, and governance. By fostering applied, translational, and socially impactful research, it holds the potential to transform India into a technologically empowered and self-reliant nation.
