The announcement was listed on the India Science, Technology and Innovation portal on Friday. The programme provides an opportunity to strengthen the documentation of scientific work, research institutions, technologies and developments that have contributed to India’s research ecosystem.

Scientific progress is often recorded through research papers, laboratory reports, institutional archives, photographs, correspondence, instruments and personal accounts of researchers. Preserving such material can help future generations understand how scientific knowledge developed and how institutions responded to changing research priorities.

Archiving science and technology also helps maintain records that may otherwise become difficult to access as researchers retire, laboratories change their systems or older documents deteriorate. Properly organised collections can support historical research, institutional learning and public understanding of science.

NCBS, based in Bengaluru, is a major research institution with expertise in biological sciences. Its archival work contributes to efforts to document the history and development of science in India.

The PAST programme offers a structured platform for proposals related to science and technology archives. The second cohort provides an opportunity for eligible applicants to develop projects that identify, organise and preserve historically significant material.

For researchers and institutions, such work can involve locating important records, establishing their provenance, creating descriptions and metadata, and developing systems that make collections accessible for research. Digital preservation can also help protect records and improve their discoverability, although it requires appropriate technical and institutional support.

Scientific archives serve an important role beyond historical documentation. They can help researchers trace the development of ideas, understand past methods and identify connections between earlier work and contemporary scientific questions.

Interested applicants should consult the official NCBS call for details on eligibility, proposal requirements, selection procedures and deadlines before submitting an application.

The announcement highlights the importance of preserving India’s scientific memory alongside investment in new discoveries. By documenting the people, institutions and work behind scientific progress, archival initiatives can help ensure that valuable knowledge remains available to future generations.

The two-day event, held on October 19 and 20, is an initiative of the Indian Science, Technology and Engineering Facilities Map (I-STEM), supported by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

The conclave focuses on connecting organisations that need specialised scientific equipment and testing services with institutions that already possess these facilities. Improving access to existing infrastructure can help researchers and businesses reduce duplication, manage development costs and make better use of publicly funded scientific resources.

Participants targeted by the initiative include micro, small and medium enterprises, start-ups, corporate research and development centres, academic institutions, testing laboratories, calibration facilities and scientific equipment manufacturers.

Access to specialised instruments can be a major challenge for early-stage companies and smaller research teams. Purchasing and maintaining advanced equipment may require substantial investment, while some facilities may be used only for limited periods. Shared access can provide an alternative, allowing users to conduct experiments and testing without having to establish complete laboratories of their own.

I-STEM operates as a digital platform intended to make India’s research facilities more discoverable and accessible. By connecting users with available equipment and services, the system seeks to improve coordination between institutions and potential users.

The REACH conclave also provides an opportunity for industry and research organisations to discuss practical requirements, collaboration opportunities and ways to improve the use of scientific facilities.

Closer cooperation between laboratories and industry can support product development, quality testing, certification and the translation of research into commercial applications. For start-ups, access to suitable infrastructure can be particularly important during the early stages of technology development.

The initiative reflects a broader effort to strengthen India’s research ecosystem by making existing capabilities more accessible. Its long-term impact will depend on effective facility-sharing arrangements, transparent access procedures and sustained participation from research institutions and industry.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has invited investigator-led research proposals under its First-in-the-World Challenge Grants programme for 2026, encouraging scientists to pursue innovative ideas with the potential to address important scientific and healthcare challenges.

The call was listed on the India Science, Technology and Innovation portal on Monday. The programme aims to support original research that goes beyond conventional approaches and explores ideas with the potential to produce significant scientific advances.

The initiative was inspired by India’s achievement with the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which successfully landed near the Moon’s south polar region. It reflects the wider ambition to encourage researchers to pursue challenging projects that could place India at the forefront of new discoveries.

According to the published call, proposals may be submitted by individual researchers or teams working across one or more institutions. Each team must designate a principal investigator responsible for the technical, administrative and financial management of the project.

Eligible applicants include scientists and faculty members working at government medical colleges, Institutes of National Importance, ICMR institutes, universities, recognised research and development laboratories, and non-governmental organisations that meet the programme’s requirements.

The call provides an opportunity for researchers to develop ideas that may require interdisciplinary collaboration, specialised facilities and sustained investigation. Such projects can contribute to new methods, technologies or approaches in areas relevant to science and public health.

Research funding programmes play an important role in supporting ideas that may be too early-stage or high-risk for conventional funding routes. By encouraging investigator-led proposals, the scheme aims to give researchers scope to develop ambitious projects and test new scientific approaches.

Applicants are expected to consult the official call for detailed requirements, documentation and submission procedures before applying. The published deadline for the 2026 call is November 30.

The initiative adds to India’s efforts to strengthen its research ecosystem and encourage scientific innovation through institutional support. Its impact will depend on the quality of proposals selected, the progress of funded projects and the results achieved through subsequent research.

The funding is being provided under the Research Development and Innovation Fund. The project has a total estimated cost of ₹300 crore and aims to advance technologies for India’s Quantum Secure and Sensing Networks.

The programme seeks to develop an integrated technology framework covering device identity, location integrity, network security and time integrity. These areas are important for protecting connected devices, communications networks and critical infrastructure.

As digital systems become increasingly interconnected, reliable device authentication and secure data transmission have become major technological priorities. Quantum technologies are being explored as a way to address emerging challenges in cybersecurity, communications, navigation and infrastructure protection.

According to the government announcement, the project will progress technologies currently at Technology Readiness Levels 4–5 towards Level 9. This will require further research, engineering refinement, system integration, testing and validation before the technologies can reach their intended level of deployment.

The proposed framework includes hardware-based security approaches, quantum-safe trusted platform modules and technologies designed to improve the integrity of location and timing information. Such capabilities may be relevant to telecommunications, financial services, defence and other sectors that rely on dependable digital infrastructure.

TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak said the development of indigenous capabilities across connected quantum technology domains is important for India’s technological self-reliance and long-term security.

The agreement reflects efforts to support advanced technology projects that require sustained investment to move from research and development towards practical applications.

Quantum technology is an emerging field with potential uses in secure communications, sensing and other specialised applications. The success of the programme will depend on continued development, system validation and the ability to integrate the technologies into real-world infrastructure.

The initiative is expected to contribute to India’s wider quantum technology ecosystem by supporting domestic research and development and strengthening industry capabilities.

The Department of Science and Technology organised a curtain-raiser programme at Technology Bhawan in New Delhi on Thursday to outline the themes and objectives of the second edition of the conclave.

ESTIC aims to bring together scientists, researchers, industry representatives, start-ups, entrepreneurs and young innovators to encourage collaboration across India’s science and technology ecosystem.

Autonomous systems are technologies that can perform tasks with limited human intervention by combining sensors, software, decision-making capabilities and control mechanisms. They can be used in areas such as manufacturing, transport, agriculture, logistics and inspection.

Physical AI connects artificial intelligence with machines and systems that interact with the real world. When combined with robotics, it can support machines that perceive their surroundings, process information and perform physical tasks. Research in these areas involves several disciplines, including computer science, electronics, mechanical engineering and advanced materials.

The conclave is expected to provide a platform for discussion on how scientific research can be translated into practical technologies. Collaboration between universities, research institutions, industry and start-ups is important for moving promising ideas from laboratories into products and services.

ESTIC also aims to strengthen links between fundamental research and commercial applications. Researchers often require access to specialised facilities, funding and industrial expertise to test technologies and develop them for wider use.

The focus on emerging technologies reflects India’s wider effort to build domestic research capabilities and encourage innovation. As artificial intelligence and robotics continue to develop, cooperation between scientific institutions and industry could help accelerate technology development and create new opportunities for Indian innovators.

The conclave is intended to bring different parts of the innovation ecosystem together and encourage research partnerships that can contribute to future technological progress.

The Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science and Technology, has signed an agreement to provide ₹151 crore in financial support to ideaForge Technology Limited for developing YETI, a heavy-lift autonomous aerial logistics vehicle.

The project has a total cost of ₹302 crore and aims to advance the indigenous platform from Technology Readiness Level 4 to Level 9, bringing it closer to operational deployment, subject to technical, safety and regulatory requirements.

YETI is being developed to carry payloads of up to 200 kilograms, with a targeted range of 200 kilometres. Its intended applications include logistics operations in challenging locations where conventional transport can be difficult, including high-altitude areas, deserts and maritime environments.

The platform combines vertical take-off and landing capability with a fixed-wing configuration designed to support longer-range operations. This combination could allow the vehicle to operate from relatively small or unprepared landing areas while carrying substantial loads.

The project brings together several areas of advanced technology, including aerospace engineering, propulsion, navigation, communications and intelligent control systems. The development programme will involve further engineering, integration, testing and validation as the platform progresses towards its intended level of readiness.

TDB said the support reflects the importance of investing in technology-intensive projects that need sustained funding to move from development towards deployment. The agreement also forms part of efforts to strengthen domestic capabilities in autonomous systems, robotics and next-generation aerospace technology.

Autonomous logistics platforms could have applications in military supply chains as well as other operations requiring the movement of essential goods across difficult terrain. The project’s eventual use will depend on successful development, testing and the fulfilment of applicable requirements.

The collaboration aims to help promising Indian startups develop, validate and scale technologies for domestic and international markets. It will focus on areas including artificial intelligence, hybrid cloud and quantum computing.

Under the agreement, participating startups will be able to access IBM’s technology expertise, mentorship, skills development programmes and opportunities to engage with enterprises. The partnership is also intended to help startups strengthen their commercialisation strategies and connect with relevant industry stakeholders.

Deep-tech startups often face challenges in moving research and prototypes into commercially viable products. These challenges can include access to advanced computing infrastructure, specialised technical expertise, funding and opportunities to test technologies in real-world business environments.

The collaboration seeks to address some of these barriers by connecting startups with technology resources and a wider enterprise network.

IBM’s expertise in enterprise AI, hybrid cloud and quantum computing will support the programme’s technology-focused activities. MeitY Startup Hub will contribute its national innovation network and engagement with India’s startup ecosystem.

The initiative is expected to encourage closer interaction between technology developers, researchers, businesses and potential customers. Such engagement can help startups better understand market requirements and identify opportunities to apply emerging technologies across industries.

Artificial intelligence and quantum computing are attracting increasing interest because of their potential applications in areas such as healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, cybersecurity and scientific research. Hybrid cloud infrastructure can also help businesses manage computing resources and deploy digital services.

The agreement reflects wider efforts to strengthen India’s domestic innovation capabilities and support technology-led entrepreneurship.

By combining technical support with mentorship and enterprise engagement, the partnership aims to help high-potential startups move beyond early-stage development and build solutions with broader commercial applications.

The support has been provided under the Research Development and Innovation Fund for a project titled VIGOR: Advancing AI-Discovered Molecules from Bench to Clinic. The project has a total cost of ₹172 crore and aims to advance four drug candidates from early-stage technology readiness to a stage closer to clinical development.

The programme will focus on preclinical development, scientific validation and preparations for clinical trials. The four candidates target conditions including neuromuscular disorders, oncology, alopecia, neuropathy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in pharmaceutical research to identify promising molecules, analyse disease mechanisms and help researchers narrow down potential treatments. However, computational predictions must undergo extensive laboratory testing, preclinical evaluation and regulatory assessment before a medicine can be tested in humans.

Peptris plans to combine its AI-based discovery platform with experimental validation and established drug-development processes. The programme is expected to progress over three years, subject to scientific results and applicable regulatory requirements.

TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak said the application of AI in pharmaceutical research could transform how drug candidates are identified. He also highlighted the need for sustained investment, rigorous evaluation and a structured pathway to move promising discoveries towards clinical development.

The initiative is intended to help bridge the gap between early research and potential therapeutic products while strengthening India’s biotechnology and pharmaceutical innovation ecosystem.

The funding does not mean the four candidates have been approved as medicines. Their further development will depend on research outcomes, safety assessments and the required regulatory clearances.

The project represents an effort to support the translation of AI-led research into potential treatments, particularly in areas where effective therapeutic options remain limited.

Addressing the 121st annual session of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi on Saturday, Singh said India needs to move beyond adopting technologies developed elsewhere and focus on creating indigenous solutions with global relevance.

He called for stronger partnerships between government, industry, academia and research institutions to help innovations progress from laboratories to market-ready applications.

The minister highlighted progress under the National Quantum Mission, saying India had achieved 1,000 kilometres of quantum-secure communication in three years against a target of 2,000 kilometres over eight years. He noted that quantum communication has strategic and security significance and that developing domestic expertise in advanced technologies remains important.

Singh also referred to the growth of India’s bioeconomy, which he said had expanded substantially over the past decade. The government has set a target of reaching a bioeconomy worth US$300 billion by 2030.

He emphasised that businesses should engage with research projects from the early stages so that scientists can better understand market needs and develop technologies with practical applications.

The minister also pointed to the importance of private-sector investment in research and development. Greater participation by industry, he said, could help turn scientific advances into viable enterprises, create economic opportunities and strengthen India’s technological capabilities.

He encouraged industry bodies to connect researchers, entrepreneurs and investors, helping promising ideas secure the support needed for commercial development.

Singh said India’s ambitions for 2047 would depend on faster execution, stronger innovation partnerships and the ability to scale home-grown technologies. Closer cooperation between scientific institutions and businesses, he added, would be important in building globally competitive solutions and strengthening the country’s strategic self-reliance.

Speaking after releasing the World Development Report 2026 — The Promise of Artificial Intelligence — Vaishnaw said the proposed consultation paper would examine key issues surrounding the rapidly expanding use of AI in India.

The consultation is expected to focus on AI safety, cybersecurity, potential benefits and risks associated with the technology. The government also plans to address harmful applications, including deepfakes, while ensuring that the benefits of AI reach different sections of society.

Vaishnaw said India’s approach would focus not only on regulating potential risks but also on ensuring that AI is used to improve productivity and create wider social and economic benefits.

The minister highlighted the potential of AI in sectors including agriculture, healthcare and education. According to him, wider adoption of the technology could help improve services and create new opportunities for businesses and institutions.

He also stressed the need to make AI accessible to startups, researchers, academia and students. The government wants India to build greater capacity to develop and use AI while addressing concerns related to safety and misuse.

The announcement comes as AI systems are becoming increasingly integrated into areas ranging from public services and education to healthcare and business.

The forthcoming consultation paper is expected to provide a basis for discussions with industry, researchers, technology companies and other stakeholders on an appropriate regulatory approach for AI in India.

The government’s approach will seek to balance innovation with safeguards, particularly in areas where AI-generated content and increasingly autonomous systems could create new risks.