About Office of PSA

Introduction

The Government of India established the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) in November 1999. The PSA’s office aims to provide pragmatic and objective advice to the Prime Minister and the cabinet in matters of Science and Technology. The Office of PSA was placed under the Cabinet Secretariat in August, 2018.

Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood is currently serving as the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

Objectives

Research & Collaboration

S&T fundamentals with applied research in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, both in central and state governments

Emerging Technologies

Enabling future preparedness in emerging domains of science and technology

Mission Coordination

Formulating and coordinating major inter-ministerial S&T missions

Innovation Ecosystem

Providing an enabling ecosystem for technology led innovations and techno-entrepreneurship

Innovation & Technology

Driving innovation and technology delivery towards solving socio-economic challenges for sustainable growth

Public-Private Collaboration

Fostering effective public-private linkages for driving research and innovation

Research & Collaboration

S&T fundamentals with applied research in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, both in central and state governments

Key Initiatives Undertaken By the Office of PSA

PM-STIAC

Learn more

The Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) is an overarching council that expedite the PSA’s Office to appraise the status in specific science and technology domains, comprehend challenges, formulate interventions, develop a futuristic roadmap and advise the Prime Minister accordingly.

Empowered Technology Group (ETG)

Learn more

The Empowered Technology Group (ETG) was constituted by the Cabinet as an institutionalised structure to proactively lay down, coordinate, and oversee national-level policies relating to procurement and induction, and research and development in technologies that require large outlays in resources both financial and human and to render sound and timely advice for determining direction and trajectory of Government's R&D and Technology Development Programmes.

Former Principal Scientific Advisers

Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Nov 1999 Nov 2001

Significant Awards

1981Padma Bhushan
1990Padma Vibhushan
1997Bharat Ratna

Major Initiatives as PSA

Dr. Abdul Kalam, as the first PSA was responsible for evolving policies, strategies and missions for many development applications.

Profile

Graduated in Science from St. Joseph's College, Trichy in 1954 and specialized in Aeronautical Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1957
At Indian Space Research Organisation, served as Project Director and developed India's first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3)
Responsible for the evolution of ISRO's launch vehicle programme, particularly the PSLV configuration
As Chief Executive of Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), he developed the Indigenous Guided Missiles at Defence Research and Development Organisation
Created Research Centre Imarat for advanced technologies
Was the Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister and Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development between 1992-1999
Became the 11th President of India on 25th July 2002

Awards & Honours

2007 - the King Charles-II Medal for Science and Technology by The Royal Society, UK
2008 - Woodrow Wilson Award
2009 - International Medal by The Royal Academy of Engineering, London
2009 - Hoover Medal 2008 by The Hoover Board of Awards
2009 - International Von Karman Wings Award by The Aerospace Historical Society in Collaboration with the Graduate Aerospace Laboratories (GALCIT)

Honorary Doctorates

Dr. Kalam has the unique honour of receiving honorary doctorates from 48 Universities and institutions from India and abroad. Major Universities include:

Nyenrode Business University
Netherlands; Nanyang Technological University
Singapore; Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, USA
University of Wolverhampton, UK
University of Kentucky, USA
Oakland University, Michigan USA
University of Waterloo, Canada
University Sans Malaysia, Malaysia
University Australia
The Simon Fraser University, Vancouver

Former Secretaries

Shri Y S Rajan

Mar 2000 Oct 2002

Significant Awards

2021Padma Shri
1998Indian National Academy of Engineering
2010World Academy of Art and Science

Profile

Dr Y S Rajan is an accomplished Indian scientist, professor, technologist, administrator, diplomat, academic, writer and poet.
He has significantly contributed to India’s space research and technology since 1964, including shaping ISRO from its early experimental phases into a major service delivery organisation.
He is also a well-recognised authority and thought leader in technology development, business management, and linking technology with society.
He has shaped policies and implemented successful R&D projects involving industry and is a key figure in shaping “India Vision 2020”.
He is an expert in areas like satellite meteorology, remote sensing, mapping systems, and intellectual property rights.
He has completed assignments for UN organisations.
He has wide international experience and has led Indian delegations to the UN and visited about 40 countries for science/technology cooperation.
He has been actively engaged with the academic world since 1976, by funding research, introducing new courses, and creating industry-academia centers.
He has practical ground-level experience in developmental issues and has founded and built organisations like the Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), which he has led for about two decades.

Awards & Honours

He has been bestowed with prestigious awards like Padma Shri and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the India Geospatial Forum.