Maharashtra third in research papers, second in patent applications: NITI Aayog scoreboard

Pune, November 11, 2026: NITI Aayog has recently released the India Science and Technology scoreboard. According to it, Maharashtra ranks third in the country in research publications, behind Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. The state recorded 28,947 research publications in financial year 2024-25.

Maharashtra fares better in patent applications. In the same period, 8,567 applications were filed from the state, placing it second.

In the scoreboard's figures, Tamil Nadu is first with 44,611 research publications. Uttar Pradesh recorded 29,298 publications. Maharashtra is third with 28,947, while Karnataka recorded 27,970 and Delhi 24,417.

In patent applications too, Tamil Nadu tops the list with 16,048 applications. It is followed by Maharashtra with 8,567 and Karnataka with 8,413.

Most research in Maharashtra is being done in the pharmaceutical industry, medical technology and healthcare. Sectors such as critical minerals and mining come next. The report also mentions the role of government and private funding for research.

About 45 per cent of research is funded by the private sector, while the Maharashtra government's contribution is only 16 per cent. For research done in government laboratories, the state's share is just 8.5 per cent. About 19 per cent of research done in academic institutions receives government funding.

Kiran Kondabagil, director of the Agharkar Research Institute, spoke about the challenges facing the state's research system. According to him, the concentration of research institutions in only a few areas is a major concern.

He said, "There are important research institutions in Pune and Mumbai, and to some extent in Nagpur. But students in other parts of Maharashtra do not get easy access to well-equipped laboratories or to guidance from experienced researchers. Many colleges lack the necessary research infrastructure and also lack teachers who are themselves active in research."

Kondabagil said research opportunities should be distributed more evenly across the state. Students of district-level colleges should get internship opportunities at major research institutions. Teachers in smaller towns also need guidance. The laboratories and research equipment of established institutions should be open to students and researchers from other colleges.

Students thinking of a career in research also face several obstacles. PhD programmes run long, stipends are low compared with private-sector salaries, fellowship payments are not regular, and opportunities for permanent jobs are limited. The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) has also added to students' confusion over whether to make research a career.

Kondabagil said, "Maharashtra has many national research institutions and colleges with a strong research tradition. Even so, more efforts are needed to increase the number of researchers and research publications. Maharashtra has more higher-education students than Tamil Nadu, yet it trails that state in the number of researchers and research publications."