The Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, chaired the third All Clusters Meet on 9-10 September, 2025 in Vishakhapatnam, hosted by the Vizag Science and Technology Cluster (AMTZ). Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA) to the Government of India, and Dr. Rakesh Kaur, Adviser/Scientist G, OPSA joined the deliberations. During the Meet, Dr. Vishal Choudhary, Scientist F, OPSA presented an action taken report from the previous Meet held on 25–26 November 2024.

Conceived in 2020, as region-based networks that catalyse partnerships between academia, industry, government, and start-ups to drive research translation and innovation-led development, the Science and Technology (S&T) Clusters initiative of OPSA has matured into a flagship program for cross-sectoral collaboration.

In his keynote address, PSA Prof. Sood stated the notable potential of S&T clusters to deliver solutions for local challenges, industrial advancements and to enhance overall global competitiveness of the regional innovation ecosystem. He underlined the importance of strengthening the cluster ecosystem’s effectiveness and global positioning by fostering robust inter-cluster collaboration to leverage complementary expertise.

The Scientific Secretary noted that five of eight active clusters have moved to Phase II of their operations, with a renewed emphasis on industrial partnership. She highlighted the dynamic interplay between industry and academia that drives innovation, enhances the translation of research outcomes, and ensures that our scientific endeavors accelerate commercialisation potential. Dr. Kaur recommended the clusters to synergise with Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG) and RuTAGe Smart Village Center (RSVC) programs of OPSA.

At the inaugural session, PSA Prof. Sood unveiled the official logo of the Science and Technology (S&T) Clusters and launched the webpage for the forthcoming International Conference on S&T Clusters to be held on 4-5 December, 2025. The S&T Cluster logo was designed through an open competition held in August, 2025. The logo represents an analogy of a chip on the motherboard interconnecting different peripheries, underscoring the clusters’ role in linking academia, industry, start-ups, and government. The International Conference on S&T Clusters will include theme-based technical sessions, round table discussions with global clusters, and an exhibition of technologies that have developed over time.

Additionally, Prof. Sood released a compendium on One Health prepared by the Bengaluru Science and Technology (BeST) Cluster. Further, the S&T Cluster Dashboard was presented, showcasing technologies facilitated by the eight clusters that have advanced and are in deployment.

EYANTRAM, a dedicated facility for e-waste management set up by the Vizag Science and Technology Cluster, was also inaugurated by Prof. Sood, in presence of Dr. Parvinder Maini, Shri Ketan Garg (Commissioner, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation), and stakeholders from all eight clusters. The facility is equipped for safe collection, segregation, dismantling, and recycling of a wide range of electronic waste, including discarded medical electronics, information technology hardware, and consumer devices.

Across the two-day Meet, all eight clusters (the Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad, BeST Cluster, the Bhubaneswar City Knowledge and Innovation Cluster, the Pune Knowledge Cluster, the Northern Region S&T Cluster PI RAHI, the Jodhpur City Knowledge and Innovation Cluster, Delhi Research Implementation and Innovation, and the Vizag Science and Technology Cluster) presented ongoing work, outcomes, and plans, with a focus on inter-cluster collaborations and the preparatory roadmap towards the International Conference.

Prof. Sood remarked that the Clusters must evolve into dynamic, solution-driven ecosystems, focusing on self-sustainability and strong industry linkages. This will enhance collaborative research and innovation to address local and global challenges, aligning with the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat.’

At the conclusion of the meeting, PSA Prof. Sood advised the Clusters to prepare compendiums for showcasing established technologies facilitated by them on water rejuvenation, e-waste management, and smart agriculture. The compendiums will aid in wider visibility to technologies developed by the startups collaborating with clusters.

The Third All Clusters Meet resulted in strengthened inter-cluster collaborations where Prof. Sood guided the clusters to transfer developed technologies that have been adopted by the user agencies to other clusters for implementation in their respective regions.

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MJPS/ST

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