New Delhi: Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India signed a PSA-FICCI MoU to strengthen the country’s research and development ecosystem through closer collaboration between industry, academia and research institutions.
The agreement was signed at Kartavya Bhavan in New Delhi on May 6. Officials said the PSA-FICCI MoU would focus on promoting research, commercialisation of innovations and strategic partnerships across sectors.
FICCI Vice President Puneet Dalmia said the partnership aimed to encourage a transition from academic research to practical applications. He added that India should emerge as a global co-creator of technology-driven solutions with measurable impact.
Scientific Secretary in the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Dr Parvinder Maini, highlighted government efforts to strengthen the R&D sector through initiatives such as the Anusandhan National Research Foundation and the Research, Development and Innovation Fund.
She also stressed the need to increase industry participation in research activities and involve MSMEs in innovation-driven programmes. According to officials, these efforts could improve India’s Gross Expenditure on Research and Development.
PSA-FICCI MoU focuses on innovation and technology
Principal Scientific Adviser Prof Ajay Kumar Sood said the collaboration would help improve technology diffusion and support high-tech sectors such as solar energy and green batteries.
He noted that the government-backed Research, Development and Innovation Fund created opportunities for industries and start-ups to expand deep-tech research in India. Furthermore, he said the PSA-FICCI MoU would create structured engagement between stakeholders in the R&D ecosystem.
During the programme, Sangam Foundation Director Shaurya Doval emphasised the importance of international participation in research and the need to improve scalability of indigenous technologies.
Representatives from industry also discussed challenges related to commercialisation and organisational agility. In addition, leaders from sectors such as energy, pharmaceuticals and agricultural biotechnology expressed support for expanding industrial research initiatives.
Officials said the partnership aimed to deliver long-term outcomes by improving collaboration and accelerating innovation across critical sectors.
