Uttarakhand Releases Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2026, Focus on Carbon Credits and Water Harvesting
Uttarakhand has released its Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2026 along with Gross Environment Product reports, prioritising carbon credits and water harvesting.
Current Summary
According to September 28 reports by Hindustan Times and Livemint, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami discussed the state's Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy 2026 and Gross Environment Product (GEP) reports for 2023-24 and FY2024-25 during a meeting at his residence with Prime Minister's Office Principal Scientific Adviser Prof Ajay Sood and experts from scientific and technical institutions. Dhami directed officials to incorporate carbon credits into the STI policy and called for water-harvesting solutions accessible to ordinary households and communities. The government said the GEP framework assesses the economic contribution of natural resources and environmental services — including forests, water, biodiversity, soil conservation and carbon absorption — to aid development planning suited to the state's Himalayan geography. The STI Policy 2026 itself was already formally released in June 2026 by the Department of Information Technology, Good Governance and Science & Technology, with a focus on research, innovation and technology-led solutions for local needs; the September 27 event centred on the newly released GEP reports and policy discussion rather than a fresh policy launch. Specific funding allocations, targets and an implementation timeline remain undisclosed.
What We Know
- The Uttarakhand government has released its Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2026.
- Gross Environment Product (GEP) reports were released alongside the policy.
- Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami called for a focus on carbon credits and water harvesting under the new policy.
- The September 27 meeting was with PMO Principal Scientific Adviser Prof Ajay Sood and technical experts, held at the CM's residence.
- The STI Policy 2026 was already formally released in June 2026 by the state IT, Good Governance and Science & Technology department.
- GEP reports assess forests, water, biodiversity, soil conservation and carbon absorption.
What Is Still Unclear
- Specific targets, funding, and implementation timeline for the STI Policy 2026.
- The scope and methodology of the GEP reports.
- How carbon credit and water harvesting initiatives will be operationalised.
What Changed
- 29 Sept, 10:33 pmCM Dhami discussed the STI Policy and GEP reports during a September 27 meeting at his residence with PMO Principal Scientific Adviser Prof Ajay Sood and technical experts. The government clarified the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy-2026 was already formally released in June by the Department of Information Technology, Good Governance and Science & Technology, focused on research, innovation and technology-led local solutions. The GEP reports assess the economic value of natural resources and environmental services including forests, water, biodiversity, soil conservation and carbon absorption.
- 29 Sept, 09:33 pmSignal detected: Uttarakhand Releases Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2026, Focus on Carbon Credits and Water Harvesting