ESTIC 2026, the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave, ended on 29 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. At the closing session, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh called for “transformation through technology” and asked for clear, measurable targets for the next three years.
The three-day conclave ran from 27 to 29 October. It was organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the guidance of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it. The event covered 12 thematic areas, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, advanced materials, manufacturing, healthcare, energy, climate and ocean sciences.
What Was Released at ESTIC 2026?
Two documents were released at the closing session. The National Vision Document for ESTIC 2026 sets out the long-term priorities of 12 ministries and departments across the 12 thematic areas, in line with Viksit Bharat 2047. The second, India: Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2026, gives an evidence-based overview of the country’s research and innovation ecosystem and is meant to be updated every year.
What Did the Sessions Recommend?
- Advanced manufacturing: faster transfer of technology from labs to deployment, better lab-industry collaboration and common performance indicators.
- Autonomous systems, physical AI and robotics: strengthen the 25 technology hubs under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems ahead of its next phase from January 2028, with pilot validation by 2030 and deployment and manufacturing by 2035.
- Ocean science: stronger ocean observation and support for indigenous underwater robotics and desalination.
- Systems and synthetic biology: link biology with AI and connect bio-AI hubs, bio-foundries and biomanufacturing facilities.
- Agri-tech and nutrition: use gene-bank resources and genome editing, and align agricultural and medical research.
Who Took Part?
The concluding session was attended by Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay K. Sood, DSIR Secretary and CSIR Director General Dr N. Kalaiselvi, and the secretaries of DBT, DST, MoES and DARE. The conclave included an exhibition of about 150 deep-tech startup stalls and a Global Connect networking event for more than 300 invited participants from India and abroad. Dr Singh congratulated the startup award winners and said ESTIC should become a globally recognised scientific platform.
What Happens Next?
The vision document’s three-year targets and the annual STI Outlook will be the main follow-ups to track. Industry can also watch the next phase of the cyber-physical systems mission from January 2028.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was ESTIC 2026 held?
ESTIC 2026 was held from 27 to 29 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Who organised ESTIC 2026?
CSIR organised the conclave under the guidance of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
What documents were released at ESTIC 2026?
The National Vision Document for ESTIC 2026 and India: Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2026 were released at the closing session.
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