Gandhinagar: The Gujarat govt is about to unveil a new Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Policy 2025–30, aimed toward positioning the state as a hub for frontier applied sciences whereas strengthening indigenous functionality throughout crucial sectors. Framed as a key driver of ‘atmanirbharata’ and long-term financial transformation, the draft policy lays out a method to broaden analysis capability, deepen innovation linkages, and scale back dependence on imported applied sciences.The new policy will change the present Gujarat Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy, 2018, now nearing the top of its tenure.The draft, ready by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), proposes the creation of a Rs 500 crore innovation fund to help researchers, start-ups, educational establishments, and industry-led R&D. A separate Rs 1,500-crore corpus has been envisaged for reaching the state’s long-term developmental objectives below Viksit Gujarat@2047.Officials stated the policy will prioritise breakthroughs in frontier applied sciences akin to synthetic intelligence, machine studying, augmented actuality/digital actuality, blockchain, IoT, edge computing, 5G–6G connectivity, cybersecurity, biotechnology, semiconductors, quantum applied sciences, and clear power. At the identical time, it seeks to speed up worth addition and technology adoption in Gujarat’s conventional financial pillars — chemical compounds and petrochemicals, prescribed drugs, ceramics, agro and meals processing, textiles, vehicles, engineering, and gems and jewelry.One of the core structural interventions proposed is the creation of science and technology (S&T) clusters. The Ahmedabad–Gandhinagar S&T cluster will function the flagship mannequin, with extra clusters deliberate in Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Jamnagar, and Kutch to combine academia, {industry}, and civic companions.The draft policy notes that dependence on imported applied sciences poses strategic vulnerabilities, reinforcing the necessity for speedy improvement of indigenous options in sectors of nationwide and state precedence. A single-window digital portal for innovators can be deliberate, enabling seamless entry to R&D infrastructure, testing amenities, and collaboration alternatives.The govt goals to construct a expertise pool of 1 lakh extremely expert scientific personnel by 2030, with deep experience in rising applied sciences. The DST has additionally set an bold goal of 1,000 IP filings yearly, encompassing patents, designs, emblems, and technology transfers over the policy interval.A big fiscal dedication is embedded within the draft. By 2030, the state goals to lift STI expenditure in key sectors to not less than 1% of GSDP, in contrast with the present nationwide common of 0.6%. All state departments shall be mandated to earmark 1% of their annual budgets for R&D by the top of the policy cycle.Pointers: Framework for imaginative and prescient 2030 -Rs 500-crore innovation fund to help researchers, start-ups, educational establishments, and industries -Rs 1,500-crore Viksit Gujarat@2047 fund to drive long-term technological functionality and self-reliance -Strengthening conventional sectors akin to chemical compounds, pharma, textiles, ceramics and engineering by technology upgradation -Creation of science and technology clusters -Targets creating 1 lakh expert scientific workforce by 2030 -1,000 IP filings yearly throughout patents, designs, emblems, and tech switch -Increase STI spend to 1% of GSDP by 2030 -Each govt division to allocate 1% of its annual finances to R&D.