The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India launched the Science and Technology (S&T) Clusters Annual Report 2025-26 on 13 August 2026 under the chairmanship of Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood. The launch event was attended by Dr. Parvinder Maini (Scientific Secretary), Dr. Vishal Choudhary (Scientist-F), Dr. Santhosh Nair (Scientist-D), and Dr. Shefali Uttam (Technical Staff), along with CEOs, COOs, and Principal Investigators from eight S&T Clusters: Andhra Pradesh Medtech Zone (AMTZ Vizag), Bengaluru Science and Technology Cluster (BeST), Bhubaneswar City Knowledge and Innovation Cluster (BCKIC), Delhi Research Implementation and Innovation Cluster (DRIIV), Jodhpur City Knowledge and Innovation Cluster (JCKIC), Panjab University–IIT Ropar Regional Accelerator for Holistic Innovations (PI-RAHI), Pune Knowledge Cluster (PKC), and Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad (RICH).
Prof. Sood emphasized the need for stronger inter-cluster collaboration, industry engagement, and technology translation, with specific focus on adapting and scaling successful regional solutions. He highlighted the importance of measuring outcomes through higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), real-world validation, commercialization, and assessing societal and economic impact. Dr. Maini noted the growing maturity of the S&T Clusters through a consortium-based model and stressed the priority of national interest while strengthening industry participation in technology validation and translation.
The Report positions S&T Clusters as regional innovation ecosystems and "National Technology Accelerators" that drive technology translation through shared infrastructure, public-private partnerships, startup support, and industry engagement. Several initiatives have progressed from research and pilot validation to field deployment and commercialization, including E-Yantram, AI-enabled Digital Podiatry Clinics, AI-enabled agriculture and weather intelligence, indigenous pacemaker components, patient-specific 3D-printed implants, ChemAmaze, and One Health initiatives. National platforms such as Kalaanubhav.in and i-Passport were also highlighted.
International engagement included the First International Conference on S&T Clusters held in December 2025, which brought together participants from over 35 countries and resulted in 12 international Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). Subsequent collaborations include partnerships with the University of Western Australia, the India-Australia Smart Farm Network, and the UK Catapult Network in areas spanning health, emerging technologies, and net-zero technologies. The Clusters presented ongoing international collaborations across healthcare, advanced manufacturing, smart agriculture, sustainable mobility, climate resilience, emerging technologies, and capacity building.
Inter-Cluster collaborations have enabled successful solutions to be replicated and scaled across regions. The Digital Podiatry Clinic has expanded from BeST to PI-RAHI, while Kalaanubhav.in (an initiative of JCKIC) is being scaled across multiple Clusters. The I-RISE program of I-STEM is strengthening access to advanced scientific infrastructure through the S&T Clusters. The i-Passport initiative of AMTZ is being considered for national scale-up, providing innovators with access to shared infrastructure, testing, mentorship, regulatory support, and industry networks.