India Boosts R&D with New Agreement between PSA and FICCI
The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India has taken a significant step to enhance the research and development (R&D) landscape in the country by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on May 6, 2026, at Kartavya Bhavan, New Delhi. This landmark partnership is designed to strengthen the ecosystem for R&D by uniting efforts from industry, academia, and research institutions, ultimately driving advancements from research to commercialization.
Transformation of India’s R&D Approach
During the signing ceremony, Mr. Puneet Dalmia, Vice President of FICCI and Managing Director of Dalmia Bharat Group, highlighted that this MoU marks a crucial shift in mindset. He expressed the necessity of moving from theoretical academia to practical application, and breaking down silos to establish integrated systems that promote both translational and transformational advancements across sectors. Mr. Dalmia emphasized that India should aim to co-create solutions on a global scale, ensuring they are driven by outcomes with measurable impacts.
Government’s Commitment to Sustainable R&D
Dr. (Mrs.) Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary at the PSA’s office, touched upon the government’s ongoing initiatives to establish a robust R&D ecosystem through programs like the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and the Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Fund. She pointed out the importance of involving Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to enhance industrial contributions to R&D, which will ultimately reflect positively on the Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD).
The Need for International Collaboration
Mr. Shaurya Doval, Director of Sangam Foundation, underscored the importance of international collaboration in R&D. He called for efforts to strengthen the scalability and resilience of indigenous products, particularly in sectors such as energy dependency.
Focus on Technology and Industry Engagement
Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Adviser, stressed the importance of technology diffusion in generating innovative ideas, products, or processes across various sectors. He advocated for scaling high-tech priority areas including solar energy and green batteries, while recognizing the unique opportunity for industries to engage in deep tech R&D through the government-enabled RDI fund.
Insights from Industry Leaders
In his closing remarks, Mr. Anant Swarup, Secretary General of FICCI, addressed the challenges of commercialization and scalability, emphasizing the need for organizational agility. Contributions from industry leaders such as Mr. Alok Sriram of DCM Sriram and Mr. Agam Khare of Absolute highlighted the commitment of various sectors—including energy solutions, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural biotechnology—toward enhancing industrial R&D.
A New Era of Partnership
Following the discussion, the signing and exchange of the MoU marked the beginning of a collaboration focused on creating an enabling R&D ecosystem. The agreement was signed by Dr. Preeti Banzal, Scientist-G/Adviser on behalf of the Office of PSA, and Shri Sumeet Gupta, Deputy Secretary General on behalf of FICCI.
Notable attendees included members from various sectors and organizations, all united in the vision of advancing India’s research capabilities. With this new agreement, the collaboration aims to yield tangible results in fostering innovation and development across the nation.
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