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Govt and FICCI Join Forces to Supercharge India's R&D Landscape

The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser signed an MoU with FICCI to strengthen India's R&D ecosystem. The partnership aims to bridge gaps between industry, academia, and research institutions. Key focus areas include deep tech, solar energy, and green batteries, with support from government funds like ANRF and RDI. Speakers emphasized the need for international participation and MSME involvement to boost R&D contribution and scalability.

Key Points: Govt-FICCI MoU to Boost R&D in India

  • MoU signed to bridge industry-academia gap
  • Focus on deep tech and high-priority areas like solar energy
  • Government schemes like ANRF and RDI Fund support R&D
  • Emphasis on MSME involvement and international participation
2 min read

Govt signs MoU with India Inc. to boost R&D

The Office of PSA signs MoU with FICCI to bridge industry-academia gaps, scale deep tech R&D, and foster innovation in solar energy, pharma, and agri-biotech.

"This MoU between the PSA's office and FICCI will bring structured engagement, enabling industry-academia linkages and connecting all stakeholders across India's R&D ecosystem to deliver tangible results. - Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood"

New Delhi, May 6

The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday at Kartavya Bhavan here to foster a robust ecosystem for research & development in the country by bridging the gap between industry, academia, and research institutions.

The MoU aims to promote research, its translation, and commercialisation, foster strategic partnerships, and support policy dialogue.

Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, highlighted the need for technology diffusion to generate new ideas, products, or processes across sectors. There is also a need to scale high-tech priority areas such as solar energy and green batteries. As the government-enabled RDI fund supports industries and startups, this is a unique opportunity for industries to carry out deep tech R&D. This MoU between the PSA's office and FICCI will bring structured engagement, enabling industry-academia linkages and connecting all stakeholders across India's R&D ecosystem to deliver tangible results.

In his opening remarks, FICCI Vice President and Dalmia Bharat Group Managing Director Puneet Dalmia emphasised how this MoU will bring about a mindset shift with a focus on transitioning from academia to applications, silos to systems, and translational to transformational; thereby, leapfrogging across sectors.

Scientific Secretary, Office of PSA, Dr Parvinder Maini, highlighted the consistent efforts of the government towards having a sustained R&D ecosystem through its schemes such as Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Fund, and the recently announced Fund of Funds. She emphasised the need to bring industries together and involve MSMEs, leading to improved contribution of industries in R&D. These efforts will eventually reflect in the Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD).

Sangam Foundation Director Shaurya Doval highlighted the need for international participation in R&D and strengthening scalability and resilience of indigenous products and services, such as in energy dependency.

Speakers at the event also underscored the commitment of industrial R&D in diverse sectors, including energy solutions, the pharma sector, and agricultural biotechnology.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The mention of MSMEs is crucial. Our small and medium enterprises are the backbone of the economy but often lack resources for R&D. If this partnership actually enables them to access research facilities and collaborate with academia, it could be a game-changer. But I'm a bit skeptical—many such MoUs start with great fanfare but fail to deliver on ground. Let's see how implementation happens.
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Rohit P
Finally, a focus on green batteries and solar energy! We import so much of our energy storage tech even though we have the raw materials. This is the kind of strategic thinking India needs to reduce dependency on imports. And good to see FICCI stepping up—industry bodies need to play a bigger role in shaping our R&D priorities. 🇮🇳
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Kavya N
"Transitioning from academia to applications, silos to systems"—that phrase alone captures everything wrong with our current R&D ecosystem. I work in a university and I see brilliant research papers getting published, but nobody thinks about the next step. If this MoU can actually break down those silos, it will be worth its weight in gold. But we need sustained funding, not just MoUs and ceremonies.
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Nikhil C
Good initiative, but what about the regulatory hurdles? Even if we develop indigenous products, patents and certifications take forever in India. Also, where does the funding actually come from? The RDI fund and Fund of Funds sound good on paper, but I hope they are adequately capitalised. Private sector R&D spending in India is still abysmally low compared to developed countries.
J
James A

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