India’s S&T Clusters Report Highlights Innovation and Collaboration
The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India has unveiled the “Science and Technology (S&T) Clusters Annual Report 2025–26.” The launch event took place on August 13, 2026, under the leadership of Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Adviser. Key figures such as Dr. Parvinder Maini, the Scientific Secretary, and several esteemed scientists and researchers from various S&T Clusters also attended the event. The S&T Clusters include notable initiatives like the Andhra Pradesh Medtech Zone, Bengaluru Science and Technology Cluster, and the Pune Knowledge Cluster, all designed to foster innovation in diverse sectors.
During the event, Prof. Sood emphasized the importance of strengthening collaborations between clusters, enhancing industry participation, and translating technological advancements into real-world solutions. He highlighted the need to assess outcomes based on higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), ensuring that innovations can transition from conceptual stages to practical applications.
Dr. Maini commented on the maturity of S&T Clusters, underlining the significance of a consortium-based model that emphasizes national interests. She pointed out that increased participation from industries is crucial for validating and translating technology effectively.
The newly released report showcases the S&T Clusters as vital regional innovation ecosystems and “National Technology Accelerators.” These clusters are now seen as pivotal in driving technology innovations through public-private partnerships, shared infrastructures, and robust startup support. Significant projects have progressed towards commercialization, including initiatives in agriculture, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing, such as AI-enabled Digital Podiatry Clinics and indigenous pacemaker components.
Furthermore, the report highlights a growing international dimension, citing the First International Conference on S&T Clusters held in December 2025. This event attracted participants from over 35 countries and led to the establishment of 12 international Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), fostering collaborations with foreign institutions and networks in health, emerging technologies, and sustainability.
Ongoing collaborations cover a range of fields, including smart agriculture, climate resilience, and emerging technologies. The sharing of successful solutions across clusters has been particularly beneficial. An example of this is the expansion of the Digital Podiatry Clinic from the Bengaluru cluster to the Punjab University-IIT Ropar cluster. Other initiatives like Kalaanubhav.in are scaling across regions, while the i-Passport initiative from AMTZ is being considered for national implementation to help innovators access essential resources.
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