Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India

Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, chaired the 8th meeting of the Empowered Committee for Animal Health (ECAH) of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) on October 28, 2024. The meeting focused on the efforts and achievements made so far in the regulatory streamlining of animal drugs, vaccines, biologicals, and feed additives. The ECAH also deliberated on the recently released Poultry Disease Action Plan, which emphasizes proactive disease management through biosecurity measures, enhanced surveillance, and vaccination protocols, thereby safeguarding both the poultry population and public health in India. The meeting was also attended by Scientific Secretary Dr (Mrs.) Parvinder Maini Secretary, DAHD, Mrs. Alka Upadhyaya; Scientist ‘F’ from the Office of PSA, Dr. Sangeeta Agarrwal and representatives from the ICAR- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), among others. Read the full Press Release here: https://lnkd.in/geVrj7xi

Ambassador of India to Germany, H.E. Shri Ajit Gupte, called on Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, and Scientific Secretary, Dr (Mrs.) Parvinder Maini, today to discuss the areas of cooperation between India and Germany and possibilities of strengthening the bilateral relations. The discussions also centered around potential collaboration for sustainable and inclusive growth, and technological interventions for achieving the sustainable developmental goals (SDGs). Divya Vashisht, PhD Embassy of India, Berlin German Embassy New Delhi

Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, made a visit to the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE) and Army War College, Mhow(AWC) to assess the ongoing Research & Development (R&D) efforts and technology infusion for the Indian Army. This visit highlights the nation’s commitment to fostering indigenous technology development in alignment with key national missions including National Quantum Mission (NQM), Chip to Startup (C2S) and INDIAai, and contributing to Atmanirbhar Bharat. Prof. Sood engaged in interaction with officials of AWC and addressed their queries on various technologies of strategic importance. Prof. Sood was accompanied by Scientific Secretary, Dr (Mrs.) Parvinder Maini, and Adviser, Dr. Rakesh Kaur, from the Office of PSA. High-ranking officials from MCTE and Army HQ, including Lt Gen KH Gawas, PVSM, VSM, Commandant MCTE, and Senior Colonel Commandant Corps of Signals, Lt Gen KV Kumar, PVSM, VSM, SO-in-C and Colonel Commandant, Corps of Signals, Lt Gen RK Shani, VSM, DGIS and Maj Gen CS Mann, AVSM, VSM, ADG ADB, facilitated the visit. The officials showcased MCTE's achievements in developing indigenous technologies, which are critical to supporting India’s defence modernization and self-reliance efforts. Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/gFdxgMFJ #Yearoftechnologyabsorption2024 #AtmanirbharBharat #DigitalIndia #IndianArmy #ARTRAC #TechSecurity #SelfReliance

The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India is pleased to invite you to a live discussion featuring Prof. V Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice Chancellor – Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani Campuses and former Director – Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, and Dr. Anandi Iyer, Co-Chair of the FICCI Innovation Committee and Director of the Fraunhofer Office India, on “Industry-Academia Partnerships for Research and Innovation in India.” The discussion will explore the unique perspectives from academia and industry on how collaborations can bridge gaps, foster technology-driven solutions, and enhance India’s research and innovation ecosystem. The focus will include models, challenges, and strategies to drive impactful partnerships that meet the nation's technology needs. Date: 30th October, 2024 Time: 5 PM onwards Join the event tomorrow live on YouTube here: https://lnkd.in/gS-PDUtZ Dr (Mrs.) Parvinder Maini B. Chagun Basha Shakun Shan

Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, participated in the Stakeholders Meeting organized by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) today, as part of the Electric Vehicle Mission under the Mission for Advancement in High-impact Areas (MAHA) Program. In his address, Prof. Sood highlighted the importance of e-mobility within the growing automobile sector for achieving the sustainability goals of tge country. He also emphasised the importance of collaboration among multiple stakeholders for developing indigenous R&D in the sector. Other dignitaries who participated in the meeting include Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India and CEO, ANRF; and Dr. Shashi Bhushan Pandey, Program Coordinator, Electric Vehicle Mission at ANRF. Call for proposals for the MAHA-EV Mission is currently open. The details of the call can be accessed here: https://lnkd.in/g269S_hB The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser has also published a report the “e-Mobility R&D Roadmap for India” which can be accessed here: https://lnkd.in/gGyvcv9K

The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India mourns the loss of Prof. Rohini Godbole, an eminent physicist and ardent advocate for women in STEM. An elected fellow of all three of India’s National Science Academies—the Indian National Science Academy - INSA, the Indian Academy of Sciences (IAS), and the @National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI)—as well as TWAS – The World Academy of Sciences, Prof. Godbole was also awarded the Padma Shri for her extensive work in particle phenomenology. As we remember her remarkable life, her commitment to creating a more inclusive scientific community will continue to inspire the future generations.

The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India is pleased to announce a Logo Design Contest for the Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG). This is a chance for individuals to contribute to shaping the visual identity of this important initiative. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: • Eligibility: Open to all Indian citizens • Submission Deadline: 15th November, 2024 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆: • Participants are required to submit their logo designs via email to rutag-project@psa.gov.in.  • Each submission must include a brief explanation of the logo's concept. • During submission, applicants are requested to include their name(s) & contact details (email ID, phone number, alternate phone number, and address). • Only one entry per participant (either individual or team) is permitted. 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀: • Prize Money: ₹25,000 for the winning entry • Certificate of Achievement from the Office of the PSA The complete terms and conditions can be accessed here: https://lnkd.in/g7CFtu4J For inquiries, contact rutag-project@psa.gov.in. For more information about RuTAG, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gDUfi-yv Dr (Mrs.) Parvinder Maini Dr. M. Mohanty, FNAAS Hafsa Ahmad Dibojit Pathak

Online Nominations are invited for Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva-SSB and Vigyan Team under RVP-2025 from the Researchers, Technologist and Innovators in various fields of Science, Technology and Technology led Innovation.  The interested applicants may submit online nominations including self-nominations on Award Portal of Ministry Of Home Affairs (mha), GOI: https://awards.gov.in/.   The portal shall be open from 04-October-2024 till 17-November-2024.   The general guidelines and other Puraskar details may be seen on the portal: https://awards.gov.in/ CSIR India Department of Science & Technology, Government of India Department of Biotechnology Ministry of Earth Sciences Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) ICAR- Indian Council of Agricultural Research Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India. ISRO - Indian Space Research Organization DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India Government of Delhi Government of Maharashtra (GoM) Government of Karnataka IT BT Department, Karnataka Government of Tamil Nadu Government of Himachal Pradesh Government of Uttarakhand Government of Andhra Pradesh Government Of Assam , India Government of Bihar Government of Gujarat Government of Jharkhand Government of Kerala Government of Madhya Pradesh Government of Meghalaya Electronics & Information Technology Department, Government of Odisha Government Of Punjab DoIT&C : Department of Information Technology & Communication, Government of Rajasthan(India) Government of Sikkim Government of Telangana Government of Tripura Government of Uttar Pradesh Government of West Bengal

RuTAGe Smart Village Centers (RSVCs): Driving Rural Innovation and Entrepreneurship We are pleased to announce the establishment of 15 RuTAGe Smart Village Centers (RSVCs) across Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Uttarakhand, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, initially offering agriculture advisory services covering complete span from Pre-Sowing to Post-Harvest along with deployment of RuTAG Technology Solutions such as, bicycle vending cart, air cooled vending cart, bageshwari charkha, mechanized roller (Namda Roller), ground water measuring device and LCB fertilizers, based on local demand generated. These RSVCs will soon embark on 12 different tracks which are 1. Agriculture Services 2. RuTAG technologies of seven IITs supported by Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India 3. Livelihood/Local entrepreneurship through NRLM 4. Renewable energy 5. Edtech and Education solutions 6. Affordable housing technologies 7. WASH  8. Fintech 9. R&D interventions from local colleges and institutes 10. Dissemination of information on any government schemes 11. Assistive technologies 12. Any other national innovations from Manthan. Currently, only advisory services are functional across the RSVCs however, the centres are in progress to expand to renewable energy solutions with SELCO Foundation Foundation, WASH with AquaMAP Center for Water Management and Policy, IIT Madras and WeVOIS Labs Pvt. Ltd. , Assistive technology with National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People, FinTech with Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Ed-tech and gamification with Pune Knowledge Cluster Marking significant progress in this transformative initiative, the framework aims to develop 100 RSVCs in collaboration with philanthropic support and CSR. For more details, please write to StrategicAlliances_PSAoffice@investindia.org.in Congratulations to Sridhar Kotra and his team. #RuralInnovation #SmartVillages #SocialImpact #TechForGood #EmpowerCommunities #RSVC #SustainableDevelopment #PartnerForChange Prof Ajay Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Dr (Mrs.) Parvinder Maini Scientific Secretary, Dr. M. Mohanty, FNAAS Dr Sapna Poti Strategic Alliances; Dr. Rakesh Kaur, Adviser/Scientist ‘G’, Transform Rural India Yogesh Bijlani Nagaraja (Naga) Prakasam Ministry of Rural Development, GoI Ministry of Panchayati Raj Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, Govt. of India Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India KAVITA T. Siddarth Narayanan Soumanil Mukherjee RAHUL KULSHRESHTHA Himani Mishra

Mr. Dhananjay Singh, Managing Director of Merck Life Science India and Mr. Godfrey Firth, Vice President of Government and Policy, along with other representatives from Merck Life Sciences called on Dr (Mrs.) Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, today to discuss Merck’s activities and priorities in India. Sangeeta Agarrwal Nidhi Thakur Hafsa Ahmad Samrat "Sam" Ghatak Aditya Sharma