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In a major policy shift aimed at streamlining the research environment in India, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh has announced a set of policy reforms to enhance the Ease of Innovation and Ease of Doing Research, providing long-awaited relief to innovators, researchers scholars, scientists and institutions across the country.
Addressing a press conference at The National Media Centre, Dr Jitendra Singh unveiled decisions that will enable academic and research institutions to bypass some of the most cited hurdles in their day-to-day functioning—particularly around procurement delays and financial ceilings.
The announcement follows extensive consultations led by the Principal Scientific Adviser’s office, drawing insights from 13 IITs and multiple research bodies across India.
One of the most consequential decisions announced is the delegation of procurement powers to institutional heads. Directors of scientific organisations and Vice Chancellors of universities will now be empowered to carry out non-GeM (Government e-Marketplace) purchases for specialised research equipment and materials—a departure from the existing rules which mandated GeM procurement even when suitable items were unavailable.
The government has also revised key financial thresholds under the General Financial Rules (GFR). The ceiling for direct purchases has been doubled from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh, while the range for purchases through departmental committees has been raised from Rs 1-10 lakh to Rs 2-25 lakh.
Similarly, the limits for limited tender enquiries and advertised tenders have been increased from Rs 50 lakh to Rs1 crore. Additionally, heads of institutions can now approve Global Tender Enquiries (GTEs) up to Rs 200 crore—previously a power reserved for central authorities.
