Evolution of Nanotechnology in India

Evolution of Nanotechnology in India

The 9th Five-Year Plan (1998-2002) established national facilities and core groups to promote research in frontier areas of Science and Technology (S&T), including superconductivity, robotics, neurosciences and carbon and nano materials.

The Planning Commission supported numerous R&D programs under basic research.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) launched the “Programme on Nanomaterials: Science and Devices” in 2000, which led to the establishment of an Expert Group on “Nanomaterials: Science and Devices.”

The government identified the need to initiate a Nanomaterials Science and Technology Mission (NSTM) in the 10th Five-Year Plan (2002-07).

The National Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Initiative (NSTI) was launched in October 2001 to create research infrastructure and promote basic research in nanoscience and nanotechnology.

The Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2007-2012) focused on projects involving nanomaterials and nano devices in health and disease.

The government allocated Rs. 1000 crore for the Nano Mission in 2007, launching a Mission on Nano Science and Technology (Nano Mission) in May 2007 to foster, promote, and develop all aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology.

The Twelfth Five-Year Plan (2012-2017) approved the continuation of the Mission on Nano Science and Technology (Nano Mission) in its Phase-II at a total cost of Rs. 650 crores