The Second National Consultative Meeting on reforming India’s Research and Development (R&D) ecosystem commenced today at the CSIR – Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP), Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Organized under the Chairpersonship of Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, the two-day meeting builds upon the outcomes of the first consultative dialogue held in May 2025 at Raj Bhawan, Lucknow, and marks the second installment in a series of regional meetings planned to address systemic challenges in India’s research and development ecosystem. This ongoing initiative by NITI Aayog aims to enable a forward-looking, innovation-driven, and resilient research ecosystem in the country, with a particular focus on strengthening the capacities of government-funded R&D institutions and laboratories.
The Dehradun meeting was inaugurated in the presence of eminent dignitaries, including Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR; Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, President, Indian National Science Academy (INSA); Dr. Harender Singh Bisht, Director, CSIR-IIP; and other senior representatives from key scientific ministries and departments. Prof. Vivek Kumar Singh, Senior Adviser, NITI Aayog, opened the day’s deliberations by setting a thematic framework centered on institutional agility, innovation-centric governance, and enhanced industry-academia collaboration.
During the inaugural session of the consultative meeting, Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, emphasized the critical need to transform India’s government-funded R&D institutions into dynamic, autonomous, and mission-driven ecosystems. He stressed that scientific research must be unshackled from bureaucratic delays and rigid hierarchies and instead be empowered through decentralized decision-making, timely funding, and performance-based accountability. Dr. Saraswat also reiterated NITI Aayog’s commitment to driving systemic reform through continuous engagement with stakeholders and evidence-based policy recommendations. Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR & Secretary, DSIR, commended NITI Aayog’s leadership in convening this much-needed dialogue and emphasized the importance of collaborative governance in resolving long-standing structural issues. She highlighted the need to rejuvenate R&D infrastructure, particularly in tier 2 and tier 3 institutions, and to strengthen industry-academia partnerships to foster impactful translational research. Dr. Kalaiselvi also spoke about the significance of aligning national scientific efforts with local innovation needs. Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, President, Indian National Science Academy (INSA), drew attention to the human dimension of science, calling for greater trust in researchers, reduced micromanagement, and the creation of flexible pathways for scientific careers. He underscored the urgency of retaining young talent in Indian institutions through better opportunities, mentorship, and global exposure. The meeting, currently underway, will continue on 4thJune 2025 with focused discussions on themes such as institutional governance, researcher mobility, translational research, and enhancing public-private collaboration.
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NKR/PSM