Prof. @AjaySoodIISc, the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India(@PrinSciAdvGoI), released the “Science and Technology (S&T) Clusters Annual Report 2024-2025” during a meeting held on June 26, 2025. The report highlights several significant outcomes from eight Clusters across India, operating through a consortium-based model. The meeting was joined by Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, OPSA, along with all the CEOs, COOs, Principal Investigators of the Clusters, and the S&T Clusters team at OPSA.
The focus of S&T Clusters is to address regional challenges through science and technology-led solutions, while aligning with national priorities under the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat.”As part of the future outlook for the S&T Cluster initiative, Prof. Sood emphasised the importance of “inter-cluster collaborations,” aimed at fostering synergy among Clusters to scale and replicate successful regional innovations at the national level.
Dr. Maini further highlighted the critical role of industry engagement in Phase 2.0 of the initiative. She reiterated that active collaboration between industry and the scientific community is essential for driving innovation and ensuring alignment of scientific efforts with real-world market and societal needs.
Access the S&T Clusters Annual Report 2024-2025 on: https://t.co/ilF6fQYTtq
Read the PIB release on: https://t.co/TLD9ZZs9Tt
Meeting with Mr Antonio Avitabile , Managing Director, Sony Investment Corporation
Discussed on prospective collaboration between DRIIV ans Sony Investment Fund for the growth of startup ecosystem in India in the areas of Semiconductor, Space Technology and AI.
Also, discussed ways to connect Indian institutions and companies with top institutions in Japan, Italy, the US and silicon valley companies - aiming to boost India's deep tech ecosystem through joint research, talent exchange and startup acceleration.
@PrinSciAdvGoI@DrVishalChoudh3@MisraShipra
DRIIV facilitated a workshop between Embassy of Italy, Chairman Bhakhra Nangal Dam, Leonardo SPA (largest Italian PSU specialising in technologies in aviation, defence, hydro infrastructure etc) and Athena. Detailed discussions were held on piloting and facilitating new technologies for security of critical infrastructure in India, including DAMs, Hydroelectric Power Generation Infrastructure and Border Infrastructure. Ambassador of Italy, His Excellency @antoniobartoli also graced the occasion.
@PrinSciAdvOff@DrVishalChoudh3@MisraShipra
India and the European Union have launched two major research initiatives under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC).
While one initiative targets combating marine plastic litter and addresses the pervasive issue of marine pollution threatening biodiversity and human health; the second initiative addresses developing sustainable energy solutions through converting biogenic waste into hydrogen.
With a joint investment of ₹391 crore (~€41 million), these initiatives aim to foster collaborative research and innovation for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
TTC was established in 2022, by Indian Prime Minister, Shri @narendramodi and @EU_Commission President, @vonderleyen to strengthen the bilateral partnership on trade and technology.
Read the details of the launch: https://t.co/WkRQvHnPhK
More information on call for proposals under marine pollution can be found here: https://t.co/5sZUuDc3Gb
and for proposals under Waste to Green Hydrogen, here: https://t.co/F4sBcI7OtT
Prof. @AjaySoodIISc, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (@PrinSciAdvGoI), has been elected as an International Honorary Member (IHM) of the prestigious @americanacad for his exceptional contributions in Public Affairs and Public Policy.
Since 1781, the members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences have been a representation of some of the most innovative thinkers in every field and profession of their time, members include — Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Graham Bell, Martin Luther King Jr., Charles Darwin, Akira Kurosawa and Nelson Mandela, are some of many other distinguished member.
In overall 250 elected members in 2025, other India-origin personalities include @satyanadella (@Microsoft ) and @NanoJagadish (@ourANU).
Ms. Shipra Misra, CEO & MD of DRIIV, had the privilege of meeting H.E. Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Italy, during a dinner, hosted by H.E. Antonio Bartoli, Ambassador of Italy, at the Italian Residence, which was held as the culmination of the Italy-India Business, Science and Technology Forum. The interaction focused on DRIIV’s ongoing efforts to foster B2B science and technology collaborations between Italian conglomerates and Indian counterparts. She also received valuable inputs from Honourable PSA to GoI, Prof. Ajay Sood on steering DRIIV's initiatives in critical and emerging technologies and interacted with the Vice Chairman, Niti Aayog Mr. Suman Bery.
@PrinSciAdvGoI@DrVishalChoudh3@MisraShipra@NITIAayog@ItalyinIndia
Signed the MoU with @INSPACeIND at the #StartupMahakumbh2025 at #BharatMandapam. Both organizations will collaborate to develop and commercialise aviation technologies including National Critical Infrastructure and Assets driven through space technologies viz space-based precise navigation and In-flight Mobile Connectivity (IMC). Additionally, the partnership will advance Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning data analytics enabled solutions to solve real world problems using space technology. Other areas of co-operation include Secured Long Range & Short-Range Communication technologies for reliable communication, Cybersecurity for Space, Aviation and National Critical Infrastructure and Assets, developing frameworks and technologies to protect critical infrastructure.
@PrinSciAdvGoI@DrVishalChoudh3@MisraShipra
DRIIV Web Portal is Live!
https://t.co/F4AaHQFgGw
A game-changer and a one-stop shop for the scientific community!
Entrepreneurs - Seamlessly upload and validate your technology, explore live use cases, and witness impactful pilot executions.
Innovators - Showcase breakthrough technologies and gain visibility.
Government & Line Ministries - Discover the value of true 'Convergence' to execute your flagship schemes.
Industry Players - Synergize your CSR requirements with cutting-edge technologies for real-world solutions and explore co-creation opportunities.
All in one place! ....Visit now @ https://t.co/cHZ6yOlMR4
#nationalscienceday2025
@PrinSciAdvGoI@DrVishalChoudh3@MisraShipra@dawn_amrita@KrishnGaur
Enthusiastic and fruitful discussions on transforming the civil aviation space via technological innovation with our ecosystems partners @AAI_Official and @INSPACeIND at ISRO, Bengaluru.
participants included:
AAI: Sh. M Suresh, Member ANS, Sh. Suneel Dutt, ED, CNS Planning, Sh. TF Moosa, ED ASF,, Sh. Rakes Bhatnagar GM, ATM -IPG, Sh. K Madaswamy JGM,, Sh Krishnan Rao, DGM,
INSPACE: Dr.. Vinod Kumar, Director, Promotion Directorate, Dr. Brijesh, AD
@PrinSciAdvGoI, @isro, @DrVishalChoudh3@MisraShipra, @KrishnGaur
Driving Innovation for Water Sustainability!
@driiv_delhi team recently engaged with the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to discuss and explore transformative initiatives creating societal and environmental impact aimed at ensuring water safety, sustainability, and conservation across Delhi. Together, DJB and DRIIV will address critical challenges like rejuvenating water bodies including large drains, implementing decentralized wastewater management systems etc.
The meeting included Ms. Shilpa Shinde (IAS) CEO, DJB and her team and Cluster partners.
@PrinSciAdvGoI@DrVishalChoudh3@MisraShipra@KrishnGaur@dawn_amrita@piyushparkhey@TrinityAlgae
Today was entirely dedicated for the civil aviation vertical of DRIIV. Visited the @IndiGo6E (InterGlobe Aviation Ltd) HQ. Mr. Narli, involved in yesterday's first flight validation test at the new Jewar airport, discussed technology enhancements needed in air traffic management and communications systems. Capt. Vishal Parmar showed us around the command centre, sharing problem statements from the operations team. Earlier today, @GInnovex hosted us and showcased cutting edge innovations in aviation and sustainability from their portfolio companies, including the digital twin being inaugurated by the Hon'ble Minister of Civil Aviation tomorrow. Much headway made in delivering on our mandate of creating the innovation ecosystem in civil aviation for the Airport Authority of India.
@PrinSciAdvGoI@DrVishalChoudh3@MisraShipra@AAI_Official@KrishnGaur@dawn_amrita@thearvindiyers
Breaking Ground on Sustainable Plastic Waste Management!
The 1st Inter-Cluster Collaborative Meet on 'Sustainable Plastic Waste Management' under the aegis of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to GoI brought together leading minds to address India's plastic challenges in light of the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024 (#MOEFCC). Discussions addressed critical challenges in collection, sorting, recycling technologies, and end-of-life solutions, with a focus on integrating circular economy practices to combat the plastic waste crisis.
The session was chaired by @DrVishalChoudh3 (Scientist 'F', O/o the PSA to the GoI), featured representation from various S&T Clusters.
The event saw dynamic participation from academia, industry, and startups from the plastic value chain. The session : 1. Emphasized the criticality of science-led interventions for circular economy solutions, 2. Advocated for fostering inter-cluster synergies to amplify impact across sectors.
@PrinSciAdvGoI@ShipraDRIIV@priya_nagaraj1@AIPMAINDIA@BASF@ficci_india@mrai_india@Miranda@mirandahouse_@teriin@ClusterPune@CSIR_NPL@RICH_Hyd@BCKIC@BeSTCluster@PI_RAHI@jckic_jodhpur
One of the key discussion points at the 'All Cluster Meet 2024' was the role of the S&T clusters in providing scale to promising technologies. As an immediate action point, all clusters - spread across 8 strategic regions of the country - will work collaboratively to facilitate inter-cluster deployment of technologies that have been successfully adopted by the industry/govt. bodies in the originating cluster. The efforts will be emphatically supported by the PSA Office.
This level of commitment, support and infrastructure provided by one of the highest offices of the Nation is not only unprecedented but also invaluable to the innovators, for whom aspiring for a National scale is otherwise inconceivable with their limited resources.
@PrinSciAdvGoI@DrVishalChoudh3@MisraShipra@dawn_amrita@thearvindiyers@KrishnGaur@BCKIC@ClusterPune@RICH_Hyd@BeSTCluster@jckic_jodhpur@PI_RAHI
Today marks the 25th anniversary of the day when the first PSA, Dr. Abdul Kalam (just before his tenure as the President) took charge. An apt day for the 'Annual All Cluster' meet where the science and technology clusters of the PSA Office meet under the Chairmanship of the Honourable PSA to GoI, Prof. Ajay Sood, and the guidance of Honourable Scientific Secretary, Office of PSA to GoI, Dr (Mrs.) Parvinder Maini Maini, to showcase their achievements and brainstorm on future plans.
Technology compendia on various themes were also launched, including the one on 'Clean Energy Transition & Environmental Sustainability' where DRIIV has been the nodal cluster. More updates to follow from the 2 day meet so watch the space!
Many thanks to the @BCKIC for hosting this year's meet.
@PrinSciAdvGoI@DrVishalChoudh3@MisraShipra@dawn_amrita@thearvindiyers@KrishnGaur@ClusterPune@RICH_Hyd@BeSTCluster@jckic_jodhpur@PI_RAHI
#DRIIV participated at the Global Air Quality Summit 2024, organized by @GoogleIndia@Google at Google Signature Towers, Gurugram, on November 14–15. This summit unites global and local experts to address the pressing air quality challenges in India and the Global South, fostering collaboration to drive innovation in air quality monitoring, analysis, and intervention strategies.
Our Air Pollution vertical expert, @somagnik from @iitdelhi , alongside our startup ecosystem partner @Aurassure, presented the technology focused on Hyperlocal Air Quality Monitoring for Gurugram. This initiative, in collaboration with Google, @OfficialGMDA, and the #HaryanaStatePollutionControlBoard, aims to provide real-time, actionable insights that empower policymakers with data-driven interventions to combat air pollution effectively.
Prof. Dey shared outcomes from similar hyperlocal monitoring conducted in Delhi’s pollution hotspots, where real-time PM level data empowered public bodies to shape the city’s action plan based on scientific insights. This successful model is now guiding efforts in Gurugram to formulate a city-specific action plan that meets the unique challenges of the millennium city.
By leveraging AI-powered air quality models and hyperlocal data insights, DRIIV is advancing towards addressing urban air quality issues.
@PrinSciAdvGoI@DrVishalChoudh3@MisraShipra@dawn_amrita@thearvindiyers@HspcbS@HspcbN@hspcbrogrs@KrishnGaur