NITI Aayog has launched the India Science and Technology Scoreboard, a state-wise view of research and innovation across 36 states and Union Territories. Tamil Nadu ranks first on both research publications and patent applications.
The numbers
| State | Research publications (2024-25) | Patent applications | Higher education institutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | 44,611 | 16,048 | 61 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 29,298 | 5,375 | 123 |
| Maharashtra | 28,947 | 8,567 | 91 |
| Karnataka | 27,970 | 8,413 | 90 |
| Delhi | 24,417 | 2,612 | 29 |
Tamil Nadu's patent count is close to double Maharashtra's, the next state on the list, and it gets there with 61 higher education institutions on the scoreboard, roughly half of Uttar Pradesh's 123.
What the scoreboard covers
The dashboard pulls together research publications, patents, startups, research funding, higher education institutions and state S&T policies. It includes data on 1,260 higher education institutions, 356 centrally funded R&D institutions, 38,553 deep-tech startups and 390 incubators.
Reading it carefully
The more useful signal is the gap between the two rankings. Uttar Pradesh is second for publications but fourth for patents, which raises the question of how much university research turns into something that can be protected and commercialised.
India Today's analysis also notes that the number of institutions or the size of a state's higher-education budget doesn't explain output on its own. Faculty strength, lab facilities, project funding and industry links all play a part.
Why it matters for Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu has been selling itself to semiconductor, electronics and deep-tech investors on the strength of its talent. A public scoreboard that compares states gives that pitch numbers anyone can check. It also sets a baseline. Later editions will show whether the patent lead turns into licensed technology, spin-outs and startups, which is the conversion the scoreboard is built to track.
Source: Tamil Nadu leads India's research and patent race, tops NITI Aayog scoreboard, India Today
