Maharashtra to set up innovation labs in 1,132 colleges to boost research culture

In a move aimed at expanding innovation beyond technical institutions, the Maharashtra government will establish Innovation Council Labs across 1,132 arts, commerce, and science colleges, seeking to embed research and problem-solving into mainstream undergraduate education.

The initiative will encourage students to work on real-world challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration, with projects expected to address areas such as local commerce digitisation, environmental sustainability, and community infrastructure. Faculty mentors and industry linkages are expected to support prototype development and applied research outcomes.

Officials say the programme aligns with the experiential learning goals of the National Education Policy, and is designed to cultivate inquiry-driven learning in institutions that have traditionally remained outside formal research ecosystems.