International Science & Technology Clusters Conference: Making Lives Easier Through S&T

The Science and Technology (S&T) Clusters Initiative: Empowering Innovation for Regional and National Progress

The Science and Technology (S&T) Clusters initiative is a flagship program under the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA) to the Government of India, launched in 2020 following the guidance of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM STIAC). This innovative initiative brings together academic institutions, research & development (R&D) organizations, industries, startups, and local governments, all aligned to solve regional challenges with demand driven, technology-led solutions. With a focus on regional development and national priorities aligned with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat , these Clusters create sustainable and scalable outcomes through collaborative efforts.

Operating through a consortium based model, the S&T Clusters serve as hubs for innovation, interdisciplinary partnerships, and technology translation, enabling solutions that address critical local and national issues. Structured as a three tiered pyramid, the Clusters focus on building strong institutional networks at the base, solving regional problems through collaborative actions at the middle tier, and driving national and global competitiveness through impactful technologies at the top. Currently, there are eight active Clusters across India: Bengaluru Science and Technology Cluster (BeST), Bhubaneshwar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster (BCKIC), Northern Region S&T Cluster, Chandigarh (PI RAHI), Delhi Research, Implementation, and Innovation Cluster (DRIIV), Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad (RICH), Jodhpur City Knowledge and Innovation Cluster (JCKIC), Pune Knowledge Cluster (PKC), and Vizag Cluster (AMTZ). These Clusters across India are catalyzing innovation in diverse sectors, including healthtech, smart agriculture, environmental sustainability, and industrial automation. Some of the notable outcomes of the Clusters include the facilitation of EV charging infrastructure in Delhi/NCR, the launch of AR/VR enabled artisan marketplace “Kalaanubhav.in, and the One Delhi digital transit app with over 3 lakh users. Health tech innovations like diabetic foot screening foot mats, One Health initiatives, waterbody rejuvenation efforts, e waste management systems, and the development of pacemaker leads at AMTZ Vizag further demonstrate the scalable, high impact nature of these collaborative solutions.