Theme 6 — From Evidence to Adoption
Helping proven solutions move from pilots to scale
Promising sanitation technologies and service models often remain confined to laboratories or demonstration projects. Wider adoption depends on credible evidence, clear performance standards, regulatory acceptance, suitable procurement systems and confidence among governments, funders, operators and users.
The Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak Research Foundation will generate independent evidence to support this transition — from research and field validation to standards, procurement and scaled implementation.
NITI Aayog has identified weak connections between research, industry, government and user communities as a major barrier to translating ideas into useful products and processes. It also emphasises that developing a technology is not enough; end-to-end delivery, institutional collaboration and pathways to commercialisation are equally important.[1]
The programme studies the complete pathway from evidence to adoption:
Research and field validation → performance standards → certification → procurement → scaled implementation → sustainable markets
DBPRF will assess whether sanitation technologies and service models meet clearly defined requirements for treatment and environmental performance, public-health and pathogen safety, water and energy use, worker health and safety, reliability under field conditions, lifecycle cost, climate resilience, and reuse and resource recovery. The objective is to help convert research findings into measurable performance criteria that can inform standards, certification and public procurement.[2]
Technologies will be evaluated beyond laboratory performance. Research will examine how systems perform across different climates and groundwater conditions, settlement types, levels of user demand, water and electricity conditions, operator capacities, and institutional and financial arrangements. DBPRF will develop evidence packages that allow municipalities, donors and service providers to understand where a solution is appropriate, what it requires and what risks must be managed.
Public agencies may be reluctant to procure unfamiliar sanitation solutions when performance specifications, certification routes, warranties or long-term operating responsibilities are unclear. The programme will study barriers within public procurement, outcome-based technical specifications, pilot and demonstration procurement, performance guarantees, local manufacturing and supply chains, after-sales support, operator training, demand aggregation across cities, and financing for first adopters.[3]
DBPRF will compare sanitation policies and implementation arrangements across states and cities to identify what supports — or prevents — adoption. Research will examine how policy, regulation, funding, institutional mandates and local capacity interact. Findings will be translated into practical recommendations for governments, standards bodies, funders and implementation partners. This approach is aligned with national urban programmes such as AMRUT 2.0.[4]
NITI Aayog. (2021). Reforms and Action Points to Strengthen the Science, Technology and Innovation Ecosystem in India.
Addresses translational gaps, weak research–industry connections, technology transfer and commercialisation.
View sourceNITI Aayog. (2023). Reuse of Treated Wastewater in Urban/Peri-Urban Agriculture in India.
Highlights the need for purpose-specific standards, monitoring, demand creation and enabling policy frameworks.
View sourceNITI Aayog. (2025). Annual Report 2024–25.
Discusses early technology adoption, strategic partnerships and the role of adopters in shaping standards and market trends.
View sourceMinistry of Housing and Urban Affairs. (2021). AMRUT 2.0 Operational Guidelines.
Provides the national programme framework for water security, sewerage, septage management and outcome-based funding.
View guidelinesPhotographs from the field will be added to this page soon.