Archive · 7 Jun 2025
Centre Doubles Cap for Scientific Purchases, Boosts Research Autonomy
The Indian government is making it easier and faster for scientists and universities to buy important equipment and supplies for their research.
They've increased the amount institutions can spend without extra approvals, allowing them to buy items up to ₹2 lakh without needing multiple quotes.
They can now approve larger purchases, up to ₹25 lakh, without needing special permission.
Additionally, they can now approve international purchases worth up to ₹200 crore.
This is meant to help research go faster, reduce delays, and give scientists more freedom to make decisions about their work.
The new rules cover various departments, like science, technology, and health, and apply to research organizations and universities.
This change is to support innovation.
The Centre revised financial ceilings for procurement of scientific equipment.
Institutions can now procure scientific instruments up to Rs 2 lakh without quotations.
Purchase committees can approve procurements up to Rs 25 lakh.
Vice-chancellors and directors can approve global tenders up to Rs 200 crore.
The new rules apply to various departments and research organizations.
- Who
- The Finance Ministry, vice-chancellors, directors, and academic institutions under specified departments and ministries.
- What
- The government has revised financial rules for procurement of scientific equipment and consumables, increasing spending limits and giving more autonomy to research institutions.
- When
- The Finance Ministry notified the changes.
- Where
- India
- Why
- To speed up scientific research, reduce procurement delays, and give research institutions greater operational flexibility and autonomy.
- New limit for purchases without quotations
- Rs 2 lakh
- Earlier limit for purchases without quotations
- Rs 1 lakh
- Purchase committees can approve procurements up to
- Rs 25 lakh
- Previous cap for purchase committees
- Rs 10 lakh
- Vice-chancellors and directors can approve global tenders up to
- Rs 200 crore
- Departments affected include science and technology, biotechnology, scientific and industrial research, atomic energy, space, earth sciences, and health research, including institutions under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
- Various departments