The programme has continuously grown ever since its inception in sixth plan. This growth is clearly visible in terms of the always increasing outlay for the programme meant for financial support to the councils. The number of councils and manpower supported to councils has also increased substantially.

The catalytic role of DST is also demonstrated through the growth in State S&T Plan Outlays.

Some of the indicators which reflect the growth of the programme are:

• Increase in number of councils supported in various plans

• Increase in Financial outlay and Expenditure for the scheme/programme in various Five Year plans.

• Growth in financial support for core support to state S&T Council

• Growth in financial support for project support to states

• Growth is S&T plan outlay for various states

• Growth in number of manpower supported under the programme.

The character of the programme/scheme has also evolved over the years. Starting from the focussed attention to setting up S&T Councils in States and identifying their role in development process of state to promoting and encouraging their S&T initiatives, the programme has now reached a stage where DST has assumed pro-active role to support activities that could demonstrate the effective role State S&T Councils can play in the development process of the state