Strengthening Research Infrastructure and Advances in Indian Chemical Sciences Education: A Perspective on DST – Government of India’s FIST Scheme

India has recently increased its engagement with globally esteemed scientific publications, positioning itself as a growing economic powerhouse. Despite various challenges, India’s contributions to scientific research publications have consistently risen, surpassing similar economies. The enhanced availability of research funds has further strengthened India’s global standing. Chemistry education and research, in particular, have become central, significantly contributing to India’s research output. According to the Nature Index, chemistry comprises half of India’s overall research activities. This underscores India’s robust inclination towards advancing chemistry research which is heavily influenced by state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities. This article examines the role of state-of-the-art infrastructure in advancing chemical sciences research, focusing on the Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in Universities and Higher Educational Institutions (FIST) by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the pivotal role that FIST plays in fostering the emerging research areas in chemistry across diverse scientific institutions in India.