In a landmark development for India’s innovation ecosystem, Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, unveiled the “Science and Technology (S&T) Clusters Annual Report 2024–2025” during a strategic meeting held on June 26, 2025, in New Delhi. The report showcases a year of high-impact collaborations, regionally tailored solutions, and breakthrough innovations achieved through India’s flagship S&T Clusters initiative under the Office of the PSA (OPSA).
The session was attended by Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary at OPSA, along with the CEOs, COOs, and Principal Investigators of all eight Clusters, highlighting the shared commitment to drive research and development through synergy across sectors.
Breakthrough Innovations and Impactful Deployments
The 2024–25 Annual Report offers a panoramic view of the Clusters’ achievements, ranging from clean mobility to public health and cultural technology. Notable highlights include:
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Deployment of Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure across Delhi-NCR, enabling cleaner urban transport solutions.
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Launch of Kalaanubhav.in, an AR/VR-enabled artisan marketplace that digitally empowers India’s cultural economy.
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Rollout of the One Delhi transit app, which has surpassed 300,000 users, offering unified access to public transport and city mobility systems.
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Health-tech innovations like diabetic foot screening foot-mats, aiding early detection and community-level interventions.
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E-waste management systems, streamlining India’s electronic recycling efforts through tech-enabled processes.
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Development of pacemaker leads at AMTZ Vizag, marking progress in India’s medical device self-reliance.
These outcomes underscore the scalable, regionally responsive, and citizen-centric impact of the Cluster model.
The Cluster Model: Collaborative Science for Local Solutions
The S&T Clusters initiative, launched in 2020 on the recommendation of PM-STIAC (Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council), is structured to bring together academic institutions, R&D organisations, startups, industries, and local governments. Operating on a consortium-based model, the Clusters are designed to address regional development challenges while supporting the national mission of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India).
Currently, eight Clusters are active across the country:
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Andhra Pradesh Medtech Zone (AMTZ Vizag)
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Bengaluru Science and Technology Cluster (BeST)
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Bhubaneswar City Knowledge and Innovation Cluster (BCKIC)
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Delhi Research Implementation and Innovation Cluster (DRIIV)
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Jodhpur City Knowledge and Innovation Cluster (JCKIC)
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PI-RAHI (Panjab University – IIT Ropar Regional Accelerator for Holistic Innovations)
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Pune Knowledge Cluster (PKC)
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Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad (RICH)
Vision Forward: Inter-Cluster Synergy and Industry Engagement
Prof. Sood emphasized the need to strengthen “inter-cluster collaboration”, which would allow for the scaling and national replication of successful regional innovations. By fostering synergy between Clusters, India can amplify its innovation output and create pan-India science-driven solutions.
Dr. Parvinder Maini outlined the goals for Phase 2.0 of the initiative, focusing on deep industry engagement, enhancing technology translation, and ensuring that scientific research aligns with real-world market and societal needs.
“Industry collaboration is essential to bridge the gap between labs and lives,” said Dr. Maini. “Clusters provide that bridge by being demand-driven and impact-oriented.”
