The Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPoCS) is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, aimed at fostering scientific temper and awareness across the country for the public in general and students in particular. The scheme supports the establishment of Science Cities, Science Centres, Innovation Hubs, and Digital Planetariums in various regions. The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an autonomous body under Ministry of Culture, serves as the nodal agency for implementation of the scheme.

The objectives, components, criteria for selecting location as well as financial support provided under the Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPoCS) are detailed in the scheme guidelines, which are already available on the website of the Ministry of Culture. The guidelines may be accessed at the following link: https://www.indiaculture.gov.in/scheme-promotion-culture-science-spocs

As of July 2025, a total of 27 Science Centres have been established across the country under the Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPoCS) of the Ministry of Culture.

These institutions have significantly contributed to enhancing scientific awareness and informal science education through hands-on exhibits, innovation hubs, digital planetariums, and outreach programmes. Together, they have recorded a cumulative footfall of over 15 lakhs in FY 2024-25, reflecting strong public engagement, particularly among students and educators.

Regular activities such as science workshops, mobile exhibitions, and interactive demonstrations have helped popularise science and encourage curiosity among youth. SPoCS continues to play a vital role in fostering a scientific temper and promoting a culture of innovation aligned with national educational and developmental priorities.

As per the criteria of the Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPoCS), Science Centres/Digital Planetariums (Category-III) are set up in areas with a population of less than 5 lakhs. In order to ensure inclusion of underrepresented regions, Science Centres have already been set up in North-East region viz. Shillong Science Centre at Meghalaya, Nagaland Science Centre at Dimapur, Sikkim Science Centre at Gangtok, Mizoram Science Centre at Aizwal, Arunachal Pradesh Science Centre at Itanagar, Manipur Science Centre at Imphal, etc. with 90% project funding by the Ministry of Culture.

This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

 

 

(Release ID: 2147787)