The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Nalanda University signed a Memorandum of Understanding on July 22, 2026, to jointly promote science-led sustainable development, technology deployment, rural transformation, and skill enhancement. The partnership aims to leverage CSIR's indigenous technologies and Nalanda University's international academic ecosystem to create scalable community-centric development models while enhancing global visibility of Indian scientific innovations.
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi (Director General, CSIR & Secretary, DSIR), Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi (Vice-Chancellor, Nalanda University), and Shri Rudrendra Tandon (Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs), along with senior officials, scientists, and faculty members from both institutions.
The collaboration will focus on deploying CSIR technologies in areas including model village development, solid waste management, water quality improvement, environmental sustainability, and soil reclamation. During the initial phase, at least three focused societal missions will be implemented to demonstrate measurable impact in the Nalanda region. The partnership also includes establishing a CSIR Technology Gallery at the Nalanda University campus to showcase indigenous technologies developed by CSIR laboratories for students, researchers, and international visitors.
Prof. Chaturvedi emphasized the importance of scientific social responsibility and identifying technologies most relevant to society. Shri Tandon noted that the collaboration aligns with the Prime Minister's vision of making Nalanda University a world-class international institution with vibrant global academic partnerships. Dr. Kalaiselvi highlighted the critical role of social sciences in ensuring successful adoption of scientific innovations for societal benefit and underscored CSIR's readiness to implement its mission-mode technologies through this partnership.
The MoU provides a framework for collaboration in sustainable technology deployment, capacity building, rural outreach, and knowledge exchange, creating a replicable model of science-led interventions for societal benefit.