Announcement

On 5 November 2026, the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) India office signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Science & Technology (S&T) Clusters operating under the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India.

Objectives and Scope

The MoU creates joint opportunities across the eight regional S&T Clusters, involving local governments, academic institutions, industry, start‑ups and research organisations. It aims to facilitate knowledge exchange, strengthen research capabilities, expand access to global scientific knowledge and resources, and develop regional initiatives to support women in STEM. The partnership will also explore ways to assist India’s start‑up ecosystem in moving laboratory research toward marketable products.

Key Statements

  • Dr Vishal Choudhary, Scientist ‘F’ and nodal officer for the S&T Clusters, highlighted the clusters’ role in translating research into scalable solutions aligned with national missions and stressed their potential to address societal and environmental challenges.
  • Paul French, Chief Commercial Officer of RSC UK, said India’s growing role in science makes the MoU a key step to deepen RSC’s engagement with the research and innovation ecosystem.
  • Dr Venkatesh Sarvasiddhi, Managing Director of RSC India & South Asia, described the MoU as establishing a strategic partnership that will support science‑driven innovation, research excellence and sustainable growth across the regions.

Event Details

The signing ceremony was hosted by Delhi Research Implementation and Innovation (DRIIV), also known as the Delhi Science and Technology Cluster, at its office located within the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. Representatives from all eight clusters participated virtually.

About the Royal Society of Chemistry

RSC is an independent global catalyst for change in the chemical sciences, with a membership of about 60,000 scientists. It publishes research, organizes conferences and events, and promotes open access to scientific knowledge. Its mission includes protecting the environment, fostering inclusivity and making cutting‑edge chemistry accessible worldwide.

About the Science & Technology Clusters

The S&T Clusters initiative, launched in 2020 following recommendations of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council, brings together academia, R&D organisations, industry, start‑ups and local governments to solve regional challenges with demand‑driven, technology‑led solutions. The clusters align with the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” vision to generate sustainable and scalable outcomes.

Media Contact

RSC India – Shweta Bhagat, shweta.bhagat@rsc.org