Regional Science Centres Project in Jammu and Kashmir | 24 Feb 2026

Why in News?

The Jammu and Kashmir government announced the establishment of a Regional Science Centre in Jammu and a Sub-Regional Science Centre in Srinagar to foster scientific temperament and innovation. 

Key Points:

• Sub-Regional Science Centre, Srinagar: Will function as a feeder institution linked to the Regional Science Centre.
  • Total Cost & Funding: Approved at ₹18.20 crore, with the Government of India fully funding the ₹14.00 crore capital cost and sharing the ₹4.20 crore corpus fund.
  • Progress: The R&B Department, Kashmir, utilized ₹1.24 crore in 2024–25, with 2025–26 plans focusing on land development and construction.
  • Features: The center will include a planetarium, an innovation hub, and a Science Innovation Dissemination Centre, which is being built at an additional cost of ₹2.79 crore. 
• Regional Science Centre, Jammu: Will serve as a hub-level science centre for the Jammu region and expected to cater to:
  • School and college students
  • Teachers and researchers
  • General public
• Vision: A comprehensive facility featuring a science museum, planetarium, and innovation hub, supported by initial budget allocations for development.
  • Science Centres in India: Science centres are key instruments for:
  • Scientific temper (Article 51A(h) of the Constitution)
  • Informal science education
  • Innovation and curiosity among youth
  • They function under the guidance of the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture.
• S&T Promotion: Aligns with the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) goals to promote scientific culture.
• Governance & Education: Demonstrates collaborative efforts between the Centre and UT for enhancing experiential learning and scientific infrastructure.