Startup India and I-STEM portals link up so startups can find research labs and test facilities

Startups recognised by the government will soon be able to find and use scientific labs and testing facilities directly through the Startup India portal, after it was linked with the I-STEM portal on 6 November 2026.

The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), working with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), launched the API integration of the Startup India Portal with the Indian Science, Technology and Engineering Facilities Map (I-STEM). Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser, chaired the launch.

What it does

The link lets DPIIT-recognised startups discover research, testing and prototyping facilities across the country. Recognition status will be verified automatically. The release says Single Sign-On is proposed in later phases, so startups can access I-STEM facilities straight from the Startup India portal.

Why it matters

Sood said the integration is an institutional convergence, not just a digital interface. He said it can lower R&D costs, avoid duplicating capital-intensive facilities and make better use of publicly funded infrastructure, particularly for deep-tech startups. Scientific Secretary Dr Parvinder Maini said it would simplify the search for facilities, and DPIIT's Additional Secretary Ateesh Kumar Singh said it would give startups visibility of specialised infrastructure so they need not buy costly equipment.

Photos

---

Source: official release by the Office of Principal Scientific Advisor to GoI, issued through the Press Information Bureau, Government of India (06 NOV 2026 6:39PM by PIB Delhi). Read the full official text: Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser and DPIIT Launches API Integration between Startup India and I-STEM Portals to Strengthen Access to National Research Infrastructure.