# Education and research: Value chain, from upstream to the customer Schools, universities, training providers and public or corporate labs building skills Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/education_research/value-chain/ #### Value chain, from upstream to the customer **Criticality to the chain:** 5 · Chokepoint 4 · Critical 3 · Important 2 · Supporting 1 · Commodity service Stage 1 **Policy, funding and standardsEducation ministries, regulators and research funders**5 · Chokepoint Set curricula and standards, fund public schools and universities, license institutions and award competitive research grants.^[1](https://www.education-progress.org/articles/finance)^,^[3](https://educationforallinindia.com/udiseplus-2025-26-analysis-by-aruncmehta-educationforallinindia/) **Why chokepoint:** One ministry and regulator set per country, with no substitute; governments supply most school funding and a large share of research money. Technologies Education management information systems (UDISE+) Grant management systems Digital public infrastructure (DIKSHA, APAAR ID) Depends on Energy [Bld Energy in buildings](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_buildings/) Industries [Software and IT services](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/software_it/)**Examples:** Ministry of Education (India), University Grants Commission, Anusandhan National Research Foundation, US National Science Foundation **Examination, testing and accreditation bodies**4 · Critical Run national entrance and board exams and accredit institutions and programmes, setting the credentials employers and universities trust.^[3](https://educationforallinindia.com/udiseplus-2025-26-analysis-by-aruncmehta-educationforallinindia/) **Why critical:** Usually one recognised body per exam or credential; a leak or failure delays admissions for millions, and rivals take years to win recognition. Technologies Computer-based testing Item banks and psychometrics Proctoring and anti-cheating systems Accreditation frameworks Depends on Energy [Dist Distribution grids, mini-grids and interconnectors](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_distribution/) Industries [Software and IT services](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/software_it/)[Paper and packaging](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/paper_packaging/)**Examples:** National Testing Agency, CBSE, NAAC, ETS Stage 2 **Campuses and contentCampus developers and student-housing operators**2 · Supporting Build, finance and run school and university buildings, laboratories and student residences, often under lease or public-private partnership.^[1](https://www.education-progress.org/articles/finance) **Why supporting:** Construction and housing supply is competitive, though new campuses take years to plan and build. Technologies Modular construction Building management systems Energy-efficient design Laboratory fit-out Depends on Commodities [Cem Cement](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/cement/)[St Steel](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/steel/)[Tm Timber](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/lumber/) Chemicals [Pnt Paints and coatings](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paints_coatings/) Energy [Bld Energy in buildings](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_buildings/)[PV Solar photovoltaics](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_pv/) Industries [Real estate](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/real_estate/)[Construction and infrastructure](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/construction/)[Furniture](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/furniture/)**Examples:** Unite Students, Stanza Living, Larsen & Toubro **Textbook and learning-content publishers**2 · Supporting Write, print and license textbooks, workbooks and digital courseware for schools, colleges and test preparation.^[1](https://www.education-progress.org/articles/finance) **Why supporting:** State publishers and many private firms compete; schools can switch titles at the next academic year. Technologies Print and digital publishing Adaptive learning content Video lessons Assessment banks Depends on Commodities [Tm Timber](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/lumber/) Chemicals [Pig Organic pigments](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/pigments/)[CB Carbon black](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/carbon_black/) Energy [Dist Distribution grids, mini-grids and interconnectors](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_distribution/) Industries [Paper and packaging](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/paper_packaging/)[Media and entertainment](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/media_entertainment/)**Examples:** NCERT, Pearson, S. Chand Group, Oxford University Press **Scholarly publishers and research databases**4 · Critical Run peer review, publish journals and sell subscriptions and citation databases to universities and labs.^[6](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0127502) **Why critical:** Five publishers (led by Elsevier, Springer and Wiley) published about 53% of natural and medical science papers in 2013, and careers depend on their journals, so libraries cannot easily drop them. Technologies Peer-review platforms Citation indexes Open-access publishing Research integrity screening Depends on Energy [DC Data centres](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_data_centres/) Industries [Software and IT services](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/software_it/)[Media and entertainment](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/media_entertainment/)**Examples:** Elsevier (RELX), Springer Nature, Wiley, Clarivate Stage 3 **Lab tools and learning platformsScientific instrument and lab-supply makers**4 · Critical Make microscopes, spectrometers, sequencers, NMR and MRI scanners, and supply reagents, gases and consumables to labs.^[2](https://www.wipo.int/en/web/global-innovation-index/w/blogs/2025/end-of-year-edition) **Why critical:** Top instruments come from a few firms, mostly in the US, Europe and Japan, and helium-cooled magnets depend on scarce helium. Technologies Mass spectrometry Gene sequencing Superconducting NMR magnets Electron microscopy Depends on Commodities [He Helium](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/helium/)[Nb Niobium](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/niobium/)[REE Rare earths](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/rare_earths/)[Pt Platinum](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/platinum/) Chemicals [Rgt Reagents and high-purity lab chemicals](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lab_reagents/)[N2 Nitrogen gas](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/nitrogen_gas/)[Ar Argon](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/argon/) Energy [Dist Distribution grids, mini-grids and interconnectors](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_distribution/) Industries [Machinery and equipment](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/machinery/)[Semiconductors](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/semiconductors/)[Computers and electronics](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/computers_electronics/)**Examples:** Thermo Fisher Scientific, Agilent, Bruker, Merck (Sigma-Aldrich) **Education technology and campus software vendors**2 · Supporting Supply learning management systems, online courses, classroom devices and student information systems.^[1](https://www.education-progress.org/articles/finance) **Why supporting:** A crowded market after the post-pandemic shake-out; institutions can change platforms between terms. Technologies Learning management systems Online video learning AI tutors Student information systems Depends on Energy [DC Data centres](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_data_centres/) Industries [Software and IT services](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/software_it/)[Computers and electronics](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/computers_electronics/)[Telecommunications](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/telecom/)**Examples:** Google for Education, Instructure (Canvas), PhysicsWallah, upGrad Stage 4 **TeachingSchools (government and private)**2 · Supporting Teach children from pre-primary to higher secondary, funded by governments or fees.^[3](https://educationforallinindia.com/udiseplus-2025-26-analysis-by-aruncmehta-educationforallinindia/)^,^[7](https://dsel.education.gov.in/sites/default/files/update/PIB2161543.pdf) **Why supporting:** Many schools serve each area, but quality varies widely; enrolment in grades 1 to 12 slipped another 0.25% to 23.23 crore in 2025-26 and only 47.2% of students were retained to secondary level in 2024-25. Technologies Smart classrooms Digital textbooks (DIKSHA) Attendance and assessment apps Mid-day meal kitchens Depends on Commodities [Ri Rice](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/rice/)[Wh Wheat](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/wheat/) Energy [Bld Energy in buildings](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_buildings/)[LED Lighting and displays](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_lighting/)[PV Solar photovoltaics](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_pv/) Industries [Real estate](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/real_estate/)[Paper and packaging](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/paper_packaging/)[Furniture](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/furniture/)[Food and beverage processing](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/food_beverage/)**Examples:** Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Delhi Public School Society, GEMS Education **Universities and colleges**3 · Important Teach degree students and train researchers, earning from fees, government grants and research contracts.^[1](https://www.education-progress.org/articles/finance)^,^[2](https://www.wipo.int/en/web/global-innovation-index/w/blogs/2025/end-of-year-edition) **Why important:** Many institutions exist, but top-ranked ones are scarce and take decades to build reputation and faculty. Technologies Learning management systems Research computing clusters Library databases Online degree platforms Depends on Commodities [He Helium](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/helium/) Chemicals [Rgt Reagents and high-purity lab chemicals](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lab_reagents/) Energy [Bld Energy in buildings](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_buildings/)[HP Heat pumps, air conditioning and refrigeration](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_heat_pumps/)[DC Data centres](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_data_centres/) Industries [Real estate](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/real_estate/)[Software and IT services](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/software_it/)[Media and entertainment](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/media_entertainment/)**Examples:** Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, University of Delhi, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Oxford **Coaching, test-prep and vocational training providers**1 · Commodity service Prepare students for entrance exams and teach job skills through centres and online courses, paid by fees.^[1](https://www.education-progress.org/articles/finance) **Why commodity service:** Thousands of providers compete and students switch freely. Technologies Live online classes Mock-test platforms Recorded video courses Skill certification Depends on Energy [Bld Energy in buildings](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_buildings/) Industries [Real estate](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/real_estate/)[Media and entertainment](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/media_entertainment/)[Software and IT services](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/software_it/)**Examples:** Allen Career Institute, Aakash Educational Services, PhysicsWallah, NIIT Stage 5 **ResearchPublic research laboratories and large facilities**4 · Critical Do basic and mission research in national labs and shared facilities such as accelerators, telescopes and supercomputers.^[2](https://www.wipo.int/en/web/global-innovation-index/w/blogs/2025/end-of-year-edition) **Why critical:** Large facilities are one of a kind per country or region and take a decade to build, so access is rationed. Technologies Supercomputers Particle accelerators and synchrotrons Cleanrooms Cryogenic systems Depends on Commodities [He Helium](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/helium/)[Nb Niobium](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/niobium/)[Cu Copper](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/copper/) Chemicals [Rgt Reagents and high-purity lab chemicals](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lab_reagents/)[N2 Nitrogen gas](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/nitrogen_gas/) Energy [HVAC AC transmission](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_hvac/)[DC Data centres](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_data_centres/) Industries [Machinery and equipment](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/machinery/)[Construction and infrastructure](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/construction/)[Software and IT services](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/software_it/)**Examples:** CSIR, Department of Atomic Energy labs (BARC), Max Planck Society, CERN **Corporate R&D centres and contract research organisations**2 · Supporting Do applied research and development for products, or sell lab research as a service to pharma, chemical and technology firms.^[2](https://www.wipo.int/en/web/global-innovation-index/w/blogs/2025/end-of-year-edition)^,^[5](https://www.policyedge.in/p/private-industry-lifts-indias-rd-spending-as-research-intensity-reaches-084) **Why supporting:** Business finances about 78% of R&D in the US and China, and many CROs compete for contracts; in India private industry funded about 45% of R&D in 2023-24 on DST data (government about 48%). Technologies High-throughput screening Simulation and AI-driven discovery Pilot plants Clinical and analytical labs Depends on Commodities [He Helium](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/helium/) Chemicals [Rgt Reagents and high-purity lab chemicals](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lab_reagents/)[CDMO Custom synthesis (CDMO)](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/custom_synthesis/) Energy [DC Data centres](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_data_centres/)[Bld Energy in buildings](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_buildings/) Industries [Real estate](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/real_estate/)[Software and IT services](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/software_it/)**Examples:** Syngene International, Alphabet (Google DeepMind), Samsung Electronics, Tata Consultancy Services Research Stage 6 **Translation to the economyTechnology-transfer offices, incubators and patent offices**2 · Supporting Patent and license university research, incubate start-ups, and examine and grant intellectual-property rights.^[2](https://www.wipo.int/en/web/global-innovation-index/w/blogs/2025/end-of-year-edition) **Why supporting:** Many incubators compete, though patent offices are national monopolies with long backlogs. Technologies Patent search and examination systems Incubator and accelerator programmes Licensing agreements Depends on Energy [Bld Energy in buildings](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_buildings/) Industries [Finance: banking, insurance, markets](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/finance/)[Real estate](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/real_estate/)[Software and IT services](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/software_it/)**Examples:** IIT Madras Research Park, CIIE.CO (IIM Ahmedabad), Office of the Controller General of Patents (India), Cambridge Enterprise ## Other sections - [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/education_research/index.md) - [Where ₹100 goes](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/education_research/cost-mix/index.md) - [Price links with suppliers](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/education_research/price-links/index.md) - [Example story](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/education_research/story/index.md) - [Linked industries](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/education_research/linked-industries/index.md) - [Materials drawn on](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/education_research/materials/index.md) - [Chokepoints and risks](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/education_research/risks/index.md) - [Sources](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/education_research/sources/index.md)