Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) signed a memorandum of understanding on 10 February 2026 at INSA in New Delhi to promote collaborative work on science communication and evidence-based science policy research. The agreement aims to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and to advance science, technology and innovation policy research in India. The partnership will support coordinated policy studies, outreach and capacity building.

The programme began with welcome remarks from Dr Brajesh Pandey, executive director of INSA, and a presentation by Dr Akhilesh Gupta, former senior adviser at the Department of Science and Technology (DST), who set out the genesis and rationale of the MoU and emphasised the need for sustained institutional collaboration. Speakers argued for stronger links between research and policy to provide robust evidence for decision making. The initiative was presented as a response to rapid technological change.

Dr Geetha Vani Rayasam, director of CSIR-NIScPR, said the institutions are complementary and that the partnership would enable them to pool strengths in science communication, policy research and academic engagement. Prof Anurag Agrawal, vice president for policy at INSA, highlighted the importance of designing effective policies to guide India towards a sustainable and future ready science and innovation ecosystem. Prof Shekhar C. Mande, president of INSA, reflected on the shared legacy and the significance of collaboration amid fast scientific transformation.

Dr V. K. Saraswat, member of NITI Aayog, congratulated both institutions and stressed the need for policy frameworks that support responsible and human centric adoption of disruptive technologies, noting the value of pilot studies and digital twins for assessing policy measures. The MoU sets out collaborative policy research, joint publications, pilot projects, capacity building initiatives, outreach programmes and stakeholder consultations. It will also facilitate engagement with government bodies, international organisations, think tanks, researchers and young scholars to strengthen India's science, technology and innovation policy ecosystem.