Communications from the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to GoI @PrinSciAdvGoI

New Delhi, India
In an interview with @ndtv, Prof. @AjaySoodIISc, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, discussed the proposed consultative paper on a dedicated legal framework for regulating Artificial Intelligence (AI), covering key aspects of risk mitigation, accountability, copyright and international cooperation. Watch the full interview here: piped.video/KQ0MgFV9HXo?si=8gRj…
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The farm technologies under the categories of Integrated Crop & Post-Harvest Systems and Animal Husbandry & Allied Sectors feature solutions from the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). From improving crop productivity and enabling value addition to advancing scientific approaches in livestock development, these technologies offer practical solutions to support efficient and sustainable rural livelihoods. 🔷 Improved Agro-Technology of Palmarosa: High-yielding varieties for essential oil production, supported by post-harvest practices and marketing assistance to enhance farm returns: psa.gov.in/livelihood/9874 🔷 Improved Agro-Technology of Lemongrass: High-yielding varieties that improve productivity and create opportunities for value addition: psa.gov.in/livelihood/10550 🔷 Improved Agro-Technology for Mint Cultivation:  Menthol mint varieties for essential oil production, supported by improved distillation, marketing and value addition to enhance farm profitability: psa.gov.in/livelihood/9857 🔷 IndiGau – India’s First Cattle Genomic Chip: A high-density genomic chip featuring 788K markers for indigenous cattle, enabling accurate genotyping and providing high-resolution genetic information to support breeding programmes: psa.gov.in/livelihood/9779 Read more about सह SANKALP on: psa.gov.in/livelihoodMission @CSIR_IND | @DBTIndia | @IndiaDST | @icarindia | @moesgoi | @GoI_MeitY | @LabourMinistry | @minmsme #SahSankalp #FarmTechnologies
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Shri @ashishchauhan, MD & CEO, National Stock Exchange (@NSEIndiacalled) on Prof. @AjaySoodIISc, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and Dr (Mrs.) Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, to present a report titled “Understanding R&D in India: Scale, Intensity and Participation.” The meeting explored the broader context of India’s R&D ecosystem, including global trends and international collaboration. They also discussed the need for standardised definitions, disclosure formats, and improved visibility of R&D expenditure to strengthen the measurement and reporting of R&D activity. The meeting was attended by Mr @shypk, Senior Adviser; Ms Prerna Singhvi, CFA, Vice President, Economic Policy and Research; Mr Tirthankar Patnaik, PhD, Chief Economist; Mr Sushant Hede, Economist (Manager); and Ms Stuti Bakshi, Economist, from NSE; Shri B. N. Satpathy, Honorary PSA Fellow; Dr @ChagunBasha, Chief Policy Adviser; Mr Vivek Kumar, Scientist 'D'; and Mr Rohit Gupta, CTO, from Office of the PSA.
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Balancing global technology partnerships with national technological sovereignty is essential as we navigate the era of frontier and disruptive technologies. In this insight from the 2025 edition of Technology Dialogue, Deputy National Security Adviser, @AmbKapoor, underscores the importance of technology diplomacy and sustained engagement with partner countries to advance responsible international technology partnerships across bilateral and multilateral fronts. Join us at Technology Dialogue 2026 in Bengaluru, as we explore “Charting Technological Convergence” and examine how collaboration among like-minded countries can enable responsible technology adoption, strengthen strategic capabilities and address shared global challenges. 📅 30 November – 2 December 2026 📍 Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru Register by 31 October: technologydialogue.in Please note that Technology Dialogue is an invite-only platform for selected participants and relevant stakeholders. @orfonline | @GIS_Impact | @MEAIndia | @iiscbangalore | @ifssoumya | @samirsaran | @Rudra_81 | @pulkit_mohan | @ChagunBasha
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𝐕𝐢𝐠𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚 | 𝐌𝐒𝐕-𝟐𝟎𝟑𝟓: 𝐀 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐 | 𝐌𝐞𝐠𝐚 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝟐𝟎𝟑𝟓 (𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐬): 𝐀 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭 The second article of this edition presents the Mega Science Vision-2035 (MSV-2035) report on High Energy Physics (HEP), which provides an overview of the mega science report on high energy physics. It focuses on key questions such as the nature of dark matter and dark energy, the origin of masses and the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the Universe, and sets out pathways to address them through experiments at the energy, intensity and cosmic frontiers. The article also highlights the contributions of Indian scientists to experiments such as CMS, ALICE and Belle II, and recommends priority Mega Science Projects across collider, underground, neutrino and astroparticle experiments. It further suggests administrative measures, such as a Mega Science Coordination Unit and a dedicated MSP budget, and calls for building infrastructure in India so that future MSPs hosted in the country can attract the international community. 📖 Explore more in the article by Dr @amol_dighe, Professor, Department of Theoretical Physics, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (@TIFRScience) and access the full magazine here: psa.gov.in/CMS/web/sites/def… #VigyanDhara #MegaScienceVision2035
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The International Science Council (@ISC) has recognised Prof. @AjaySoodIISc, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, as a Fellow of the ISC 2026 Cohort, in recognition of his scientific contributions to the global science system and his efforts to advance a more equitable and inclusive global science advice ecosystem. ISC Fellows 2026 Cohort: council.science/news/isc-fel…
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The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India releases a report titled “RE-Charge Ready Reckoner: A Handbook on Renewable Energy (RE) Integration for Zero Emission Truck (ZET) Charge Parks”. The report presents a roadmap to support the planning, development and implementation of RE integration with charging infrastructure for ZETs. Addressing the concerns regarding high upfront costs and uncertainty over long-term returns of RE integration, It outlines energy mix options and payback periods through two case studies, which highlight the advantages of the transition. A comparative analysis of business models also explains how charge park owners can achieve early financial viability. The report further reviews relevant national policies and schemes and suggests fiscal and financial enablers such as reduced GST on EV infrastructure, viability gap funding, green bonds and public-private partnership (PPP) models. The emphasis on regulatory convergence between the transport and energy sectors, particularly in relation to licensing, tariff design and interoperability standards has also been presented in the report. It provides a framework for DISCOMs, policymakers and state transport departments to facilitate renewable energy integration. Designed as a ready reckoner, the handbook includes the requisite calculations for model case studies and serves as a quick reference for integrating renewable energy with ZET charge parks. Read the full report here: psa.gov.in/CMS/web/sites/def…
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The non-farm technologies under the category Food Processing & Storage Systems feature solutions from the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). They demonstrate food processing, preservation and product development, while creating opportunities for value addition and improved livelihoods. 🔷 Pickles & Chutneys – Preparation: Standardised processing methods for traditional Indian pickles and chutneys, supporting consistent quality, hygiene and shelf life: psa.gov.in/livelihood/9844 🔷 Prawn Pickle: A preservative-free prawn pickle formulation combining fried prawns with spices, condiments and covering oil: psa.gov.in/livelihood/9826 🔷 Mutton Pickle: A preservative-free formulation with a shelf life of over one year and potential applications across food-service establishments: psa.gov.in/livelihood/9825 🔷 Chikki / Nutra Chikki: A fortified, ready-to-eat traditional snack enriched with nutraceuticals and offering opportunities for functional food production: psa.gov.in/livelihood/9822 Read more about सह SANKALP on: psa.gov.in/livelihoodMission @CSIR_IND | @DBTIndia | @IndiaDST | @icarindia | @moesgoi | @GoI_MeitY | @LabourMinistry | @minmsme #SahSankalp #NonFarmTechnologies
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Mr Mark Linscott, Senior Advisor, Trade Policy, @USISPForum, and former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative (AUSTR), along with a delegation from USISPF, met with Prof. @AjaySoodIISc, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and Dr Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, to apprise them of their report on regulatory data protection for pharmaceuticals. The meeting was attended by Dr Ivan J. Burnside, Vice President and Chief Patent Counsel - International Litigation, @EliLillyandCo ; Mr Philip Chen, Deputy Vice President for International, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (@PhRMA); Mr Anjam Aziz, Senior Director, PhRMA; Mr Silviu Popa, Senior Director of Global Policy Strategy Execution and Trade and IP Policy Lead, @bmsnews; Ms Liz Clark, Global Policy Director for Middle East and India, Bristol Myers Squibb; Ms Divya Potatth, Director – Healthcare; Ms Anushka Shah, Associate Director – Trade Policy and Critical & Emerging Technologies; Mr Misbah Khan, Associate – Health, from USISPF; Dr Sangeeta Agarwal, Scientist 'F'; Dr Hafsa Ahmad, Scientist ‘D’; and Dr Divya Vashisht, OSD from Office of the PSA.
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𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 | 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 The Expression of Interest (EOI) deadline for Technology Dialogue 2026: Charting Technological Convergence has been extended to 31 October 2026. Scheduled for 30 November–2 December 2026 at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, the third edition of the Technology Dialogue will be organised by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, in collaboration with @orfonline, @GIS_Impact, @MEAIndia and @iiscbangalore. The Dialogue will explore how the convergence of frontier technologies is reshaping economies, industries, societies and the future of work. Bringing together key government agencies, strategic international partners and industry stakeholders, it will examine emerging opportunities for collaboration and shared policy challenges that require coordinated global responses. 🔗 Register your interest: technologydialogue.in @ifssoumya | @samirsaran | @Rudra_81 | @pulkit_mohan | @ChagunBasha
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H.E. Ms Petra Menander, Ambassador, Embassy of Sweden (@SwedensAmbIndia), met with Prof. @AjaySoodIISc, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and Dr Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary. The discussions delved into the Science and Technology (S&T) Clusters, potential joint initiatives, and prospects for future collaboration. Prof. Sood apprised on how S&T clusters are strategically designed to address societal needs, while H.E. Ms. Petra highlighted the role of S&T Clusters in enhancing regional innovation. The meeting was also attended by Ms Geeny George Shaju, Senior Adviser, Office of Science and Innovation, Embassy of Sweden, New Delhi and Dr Divya Vashisht, OSD, from Office of the PSA.
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The Office of Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India gives its best wishes to IIT Madras as Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicates the state-of-the-art Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre at IIT Madras to the nation. This will place India into an elite league of 3 to 4 nations capable of mapping the human brain at cellular resolution. We are happy that the substantial funding support from the office of PSA in the initial phase (2020-2025) has resulted in a world class centre. The centre developed detailed 3D digital brain atlases, including ANCHOR (neurochemical brainstem atlas), DHARANI (world's largest high-resolution fetal brain atlas), and C-STROKE (ischemic stroke atlas). These advances are expected to support research into neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, improve diagnostics and enable more targeted, affordable treatments. @iitmadras | @BraincentreIITM
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The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India remembers the People’s President and former Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, on his 95th birth anniversary. Born in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Dr Kalam was an eminent aerospace scientist who played a pivotal role in advancing India’s indigenous space and defence capabilities, contributing to the development of the SLV-III, ISRO’s launch vehicle programme and the AGNI and PRITHVI missile systems. As the first Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, serving from November 1999 to November 2001, he evolved policies, strategies and missions for national development. During his tenure he played a crucial role in: → Implementation of the roadmap for Technology Vision 2020 → Conceptualisation of Society for Electronic Transactions and Security (SETS) → Early Stage foundations for Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas (PURA) initiative → Shaping various strategic policy initiatives through the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet (SAC-C) Today, his legacy continues to inspire the scientific community and guide the pursuit of science and technology.
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Mr @TomGrinyer, Group Chief Executive of the Institute of Physics (@IOP), met with Prof. @AjaySoodIISc, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and Dr Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary. The discussions focused on shared priorities in physics, science policy and scholarly publishing. IOP commended the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) initiative for its efforts in improving access to scholarly journals. The meeting was also joined by Mr Dominic Hurley, International Development Manager, IOP UK; Dr Tim Smith, Head of Publishing Development, IOP Publishing UK; Mr Prabu Desikan, Regional Director, South Asia, IOP Publishing India; and Dr Hafsa Ahmad, Scientist ‘D’ from the Office of the PSA.
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H.E. Jean-Eric Pacquet (@EUAmbIndia) Foll, Ambassador of the European Union to India and Bhutan (@EU_in_India), met with Prof. @AjaySoodIISc, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and Dr Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary. The discussions focused on India's engagement with Horizon Europe and the Trade and Technology Council, specifically addressing the working group dedicated to Green and Clean Technologies. The meeting was also joined by Mr Twan van Erp, Counsellor and Head of Section; Mr Vivek Dham, Advisor; and Mr Kinchit Bihani, from the Research & Innovation section of the Delegation of the European Union to India and Bhutan; Dr Rakesh Kaur, Adviser/Scientist 'G', and Dr Hafsa Ahmad, Scientist ‘D’, from the Office of the PSA.
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Mr Anjum Bilakhia and Mr Aaman Bilakhia, from the Meril Group, called on Prof. @AjaySoodIISc, Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India and Dr Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, to discuss the expanding field of synthetic biology in India, particularly through advancements such as CAR-T cell therapy. The discussion delved into aspects like regulatory pathways, policy frameworks for future innovative therapies, and the infrastructure and ecosystem within India that position it as a competitive global exporter of such therapies. Cutting-edge medical devices and technologies were also a focus area for the discussion. The meeting was also joined by Dr Vibhav Garg, President of Global Government Affairs at Meril Group; Dr Sangeeta Agarwal, Scientist 'F'; and Dr Hafsa Ahmad, Scientist ‘D’ from the Office of the PSA. @MerilLife
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𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 The convergent-trajectory of frontier technologies opens new avenues for scientific progress and collaboration. The three-day track 1.5 event will explore these convergence and their potential in areas covering AI, quantum tech, biotechnology, semiconductors, neurotechnology, space and more. The discussions will examine how advances in these fields are shaping the future, the opportunities arising from their convergence, and the policy and governance frameworks needed to address challenges and foster international cooperation. 🔗 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝟏𝟓 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: technologydialogue.in 📅 Dates: 30 November - 2 December 2026 📍 Venue: Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru Kindly note: The Dialogue is an invite-only platform for selected participants and relevant stakeholders. @MEAIndia | @iiscbangalore | @orfonline | @GIS_Impact | @ifssoumya | @samirsaran | @Rudra_81 | @pulkit_mohan | @ChagunBasha
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