Maharashtra Govt Aims To Establish 'Science & Innovation Activity Centres' Across State Under ₹192-Crore Plan

Mumbai: Since 2015, the Rajiv Gandhi Science and Technology Commission (RGSTC) has set up 'Science and Innovation Activity Centres' (SIAC) in select districts of Maharashtra. Now, the government aims to establish SIAC centres in the remaining 23 districts along with 28 new technology labs. These will be built over a period of five years, announced Information Technology Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar in the Legislative Assembly today. The project is expected to cost the state exchequer around ₹192 crore, he informed.

Promoting scientific temper among citizens is regarded as a fundamental duty by the Indian Constitution. In line with this vision, the Rajiv Gandhi Science and Technology Commission (RGSTC) has, since 2015, set up Science and Innovation Activity Centres (SIAC) in select districts of Maharashtra to spark scientific curiosity and interest among school-aged students. Now, this transformative initiative will be relaunched and expanded across the state under the esteemed name of legendary scientist Jayant Narlikar.

These centres are developed in collaboration with capable educational institutions related to school education, and with the support of national science organizations such as the Nehru Science Centre of the National Council of Science Museums, Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Muktangan Exploratory Science Centre and Vigyan Ashram. The program complements the school curriculum by creating a conducive environment for science learning. The state government aims to establish at least one such centre in every district of Maharashtra within the next five years, stated Minister Shelar.

The SIAC initiative is an important step towards instilling scientific temperament among students in Maharashtra and aligns with the goals of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. These centres are not just meant for schools but will become hubs of knowledge for the entire community. Expanding SIACs to all districts will help create a science-friendly Maharashtra in the future. A professional team comprising curators, engineers and retired officials will be formed to oversee implementation and operations. The initiative will involve collaboration with the Central Government, the National Council of Science Museums, and other institutions, the minister added.

Objectives of SIAC:

Through SIACs, students gain hands-on experience with modern technologies, experiments, models, robotics, 3D printing, coding, and more. These centres help:

Develop scientific understanding and skills

Foster curiosity, creativity, and communication abilities

Provide training and educational resources for teachers

Offer equal opportunities to students in rural areas

Progress So Far:

Till now, SIACs have been established in six districts: Warananagar, Pravaranagar, Amravati, Satara, Baramati, and Devrukh. Work is underway to set up centres in three more districts: Nanded, Akola, and Parbhani. These centres have already engaged lakhs of students, teachers and citizens, receiving positive feedback and enthusiastic participation. Over the next five years, this student-centric initiative will be expanded to every district in the state. The government also pays homage to renowned scientist Jayant Narlikar by naming the program in his honour for his extraordinary contributions to the field of science.

Impact of the Centres Currently in Operation:

Number of visitors to the centres: 2,76,838

Teachers trained at the centres: 2,728

Beneficiaries of student-centric programs: 60,980

Alignment with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020:

SIACs are in line with several objectives of NEP 2020, including:

Experiential and inquiry-based learning

Promoting scientific thinking and innovation

Introduction to STEM education

Career guidance and skill development

Strengthening the link between schools and communities