DSTIndia

I have completed my term as Secretary @IndiaDST and will be taking charge as Member @NITIAayog on Monday. It was a very satisfying and highly enriching experience for me. Having spent my entire professional career in academics, I had my own reservations initially when I joined as Secretary to the Government of India. But the immense cooperation from all my colleagues & other stakeholders in the system made my nearly three-year tenure a great and fulfilling one.

I feel privileged and honored to have had the opportunity to operationalize the three most transformative initiatives of the Government of India: 1.⁠ ⁠Anusandhan National Research Foundation - #ANRF 2.⁠ ⁠National Quantum Mission #NQM 3.⁠ ⁠Research, Development and Innovation Fund #RDI @ANRFIndia is a significant institutional mechanism aimed at transforming the R&D landscape of the country. As the first Interim CEO of ANRF, I steered the constitution of its Executive Council and Governing Board, convened their first meetings, launched its inaugural R&D programs, and facilitated the selection of its CEO.

I also operationalized the National Quantum Mission. The first meeting of the Mission Governing Board (MGB) was held in January 2024. Since then, #NQM has made significant progress. Four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs), comprising 14 Technical Groups, have been set up, and a number of supported startups are already on track with cutting-edge technologies.

The ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (#RDI) Fund was implemented in record time. The scheme was approved in July 2025. Within six months, the scheme guidelines and special financial rules were approved. While the process of selecting Second Level Fund Managers (SLFM) was initiated, the Technology Development Board @tdbgoi and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council @BIRAC_2012 were onboarded as SLFMs on a nomination basis. Both have received an overwhelming response, and Technology Development Board has already selected 22 companies for support.

I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji and Hon’ble Minister @DrJitendraSingh ji for their trust and confidence in me, and to all colleagues in DST and other ministries who made this journey a fulfilling experience.

Addressed the National Departmental GAD Summit on “Institutionalising Capacity Building: From Training to Performance-Linked Governance” organised by Capacity Building Commission and Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy Mussoorie. "Emphasis on integrated, citizen-centric Capacity Building. Artificial Intelligence would remain an important enabler in governance, but technology alone cannot substitute human intelligence, ethical conduct and behavioural sensitivity in public service delivery. Administrative Training Institutes, across the country, need to reinvent themselves, shun stereotype models. Age of silos is over. Time to encourage free thinking, innovative initiatives and define indices for future-ready governance ecosystems. Mission Karmayogi entering the next phase with focus on institutional capacity, role-based governance and performance-linked learning. Need for seamless integration between iGOT, Unnati and HRMS platforms to create a unified competency-driven governance ecosystem".

SCTIMST to commemorate Annual Convocation (42nd Batch) & 9th G. Parthasarathi Oration. Come join us to celebrate the momentous occasion🎉 youtube.com/live/XKwEcMDy7… @IndiaDST @karandi65

Celebrating 40 years of @IFCPAR today at a programme graced by H.E. Mr Thierry Mathou @thierry_mathou, Ambassador of France to India @FranceinIndia was a proud reminder of how sustained scientific partnerships can drive innovation and global impact.

As we mark this milestone during the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, I reflected on how @IFCPAR has emerged as a globally admired model of Indo-French collaboration, bringing together leading scientists from both nations for four decades.

The remarkable rise in joint research proposals in recent years reflects the growing depth and strength of this partnership. Through collaborations spanning AI, digital sciences, advanced materials, climate change, and biotechnology, India and France are jointly addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Today’s celebration at the Indian National Science Academy also highlighted exciting new avenues of cooperation, including stronger engagements with @Inria, @CNRS, and ANR, and the upcoming Indo-French Centre for Digital Sciences.

While, the researchers and institutions on both sides continue to make this partnership stronger, the next chapter of Indo-French scientific collaboration promises to be even more ambitious and impactful.

Prof Nitin Seth, Director of @IFCPAR, President, @insa_academy, Prof. Shekhar C. Mande @shekhar_mande and scientists and researchers from the two countries attended the program.

Inaugurated and walked around the “200 MWp Automated Solar Module Manufacturing Unit” at Central Electronics Limited #CEL, #Sahibabad, #UttarPradesh, along with Director General #CSIR Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, CMD Sh Chetan Jain and other dignitaries. The state-of-the-art facility reflects India’s growing capabilities in clean energy manufacturing and supports the vision of PM Shri @narendramodi for self-reliance in the renewable energy sector through advanced solar technology and innovation.

Inaugurated " 200 MW Solar Module Manufacturing Line Unit developed by Central Electronics Limited #CEL, at Sahibabad, U.P. A striking outcome of Public-Private sector collaboration. "The operationalisation of this 200 MW Solar Module Manufacturing Line is a major milestone for India’s clean energy ecosystem and the facility reflects the country’s growing confidence in indigenous manufacturing and renewable energy expansion. National target of net-zero emissions by 2070 has been set by PM @narendramodi and India is rapidly expanding its capabilities across multiple non-fossil energy domains including solar energy, wind energy, nuclear energy and ocean-based energy systems. CEL’s been a historic contribution to India’s renewable energy journey. India’s first solar cell was manufactured here in 1977 and the country’s first solar plant was also established by the organisation in 1979. Despite such pioneering achievements, CEL’s contribution did not receive the recognition it deserved, but in recent years the institution is gaining renewed national visibility and relevance. CEL’s transformation from an institution once on the verge of disinvestment into a profit-making, revenue-generating Mini Ratna enterprise is a remarkable example of institutional revival".

Watch Live: First ETE agreement signing & inaugural fund release under TDB’s RDI Scheme SLFM mandate. @DrJitendraSingh @karandi65 @PMOIndia @PrinSciAdvGoI @DBTIndia @tdbgoi twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…

#OneDayOneResearch Scientists @bose_institute - @IndiaDST have challenged a decades-old model of bacterial gene regulation. The study reveals that the “universal σ-cycle” does not apply to all bacteria, opening new avenues to combat tuberculosis and other bacterial infections. 🔗dst.gov.in/altered-unders… @DrJitendraSingh @karandi65 @DBTIndia @CSIR_IND @moesgoi

TDB activates #RDIScheme SLFM mandate. 1st ETE agreements to be signed today with capital deployment in presence of Hon'ble MoS (I/C) @DrJitendraSingh ji. @IndiaDST @karandi65 @PMOIndia @narendramodi @PrinSciAdvOff

Drilling deeper to unlock the ocean’s hidden resources The Autonomous Coring System (ACS), developed by @MoesNiot under @moesgoi, is an advanced deep-sea drilling technology designed for precise seabed sampling up to 100 meters below the ocean floor. It plays a crucial role in validating gas hydrate deposits, supporting marine exploration, and enabling geotechnical studies. With remote operations and high-depth capability up to 3000 meters, ACS strengthens India’s ability to explore, assess, and utilize deep-sea resources efficiently and sustainably. #MoES #ACS #NIOT @narendramodi @mygovindia @PMOIndia @DrJitendraSingh @OfficeOfDrJS @PIB_India @MIB_India @Ravi_MoES

“#IMD has taken a quantum leap in its forecasting capabilities, over the last one decade”.