India Shifts to Tech Leadership: DST–NIDHI CoE Launched at IIM-A

14 Jan 2026 CW Team

Housed in a newly developed dedicated block within the IIM Ahmedabad campus, the Centre of Excellence has been envisioned as a national hub for deep-tech entrepreneurship, technology translation and venture creation. It aims to offer startups and entrepreneurs an integrated ecosystem by bringing together technology experts, management professionals and industry stakeholders under one roof.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Jitendra Singh said that over the past decade India has decisively moved from incremental, technology-adopting growth to science-led, technology-driven development. Emphasising the importance of deep tech, he said innovation rooted in fundamental research must be translated into scalable, market-ready solutions to ensure long-term growth, strategic autonomy and global competitiveness.

The Minister underlined the critical role of institutions such as IIM Ahmedabad in bridging the gap between science and the market. He noted that technology without sound management cannot achieve optimal impact, while management without technological depth risks stagnation, making integrated centres such as the DST–NIDHI CoE vital for sustainable innovation.

Spread across nearly 59,000 sq ft, the Centre includes venture creation labs, collaborative workspaces, meeting and board rooms, training facilities and networking zones. It will support early-stage startups, deep-tech founders, investors, students and institutional partners, strengthening the pipeline from laboratory research to commercial deployment.

Dr Jitendra Singh also highlighted the democratisation of innovation, noting that nearly half of India’s startups now originate from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. He pointed to India’s position among the top three global startup ecosystems, supported by rising patent filings and scientific output. The launch also saw the unveiling of “Translation Endeavours”, a collaborative platform aimed at breaking silos between academia, industry and government to accelerate deep-tech translation and societal impact.

India’s transition from technology adoption to technology leadership gained momentum with the inauguration of the DST–NIDHI Centre of Excellence (CoE) at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A). The Centre, supported and funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) with an investment of around Rs 400 million, was dedicated to the nation by Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences.Housed in a newly developed dedicated block within the IIM Ahmedabad campus, the Centre of Excellence has been envisioned as a national hub for deep-tech entrepreneurship, technology translation and venture creation. It aims to offer startups and entrepreneurs an integrated ecosystem by bringing together technology experts, management professionals and industry stakeholders under one roof.Addressing the gathering, Dr Jitendra Singh said that over the past decade India has decisively moved from incremental, technology-adopting growth to science-led, technology-driven development. Emphasising the importance of deep tech, he said innovation rooted in fundamental research must be translated into scalable, market-ready solutions to ensure long-term growth, strategic autonomy and global competitiveness.The Minister underlined the critical role of institutions such as IIM Ahmedabad in bridging the gap between science and the market. He noted that technology without sound management cannot achieve optimal impact, while management without technological depth risks stagnation, making integrated centres such as the DST–NIDHI CoE vital for sustainable innovation.Spread across nearly 59,000 sq ft, the Centre includes venture creation labs, collaborative workspaces, meeting and board rooms, training facilities and networking zones. It will support early-stage startups, deep-tech founders, investors, students and institutional partners, strengthening the pipeline from laboratory research to commercial deployment.Dr Jitendra Singh also highlighted the democratisation of innovation, noting that nearly half of India’s startups now originate from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. He pointed to India’s position among the top three global startup ecosystems, supported by rising patent filings and scientific output. The launch also saw the unveiling of “Translation Endeavours”, a collaborative platform aimed at breaking silos between academia, industry and government to accelerate deep-tech translation and societal impact.

Real Estate

28 Feb 2026

Casagrand Launches Keystone In Tiruppur

Casagrand has launched Casagrand Keystone, a gated residential development at Rakkiyapalayam, off Avinashi Road, in Tiruppur. Spread across 2.2 acres, the B+G+5 structure comprises 142 units of 2 and 3 BHK homes, supported by 48 indoor and outdoor amenities. The project is introduced at a starting price of Rs 5,199 per sq. ft. The development allocates 1.3 acres to open space, including a central park of about 24,500 sq. ft. A 6,800 sq. ft. clubhouse includes a multipurpose hall, mini theatre and indoor recreation facilities. Other amenities include a 5,100 sq. ft. swimming pool, poolside par..

Real Estate

28 Feb 2026

Premium homes account for half of India’s housing sales in 2025

Knight Frank India, in its latest report on India’s office and residential property market, has highlighted a significant shift in housing demand, with homes priced above Rs 10 million accounting for 50 per cent of total residential sales across the top eight cities in 2025. The findings underscore the growing dominance of premium housing in the country’s real estate landscape.Out of 348,247 residential units sold during the year, approximately 175,091 units were in the Rs 10 million-plus category, marking a 14 per cent year-on-year increase. The data reflects changing buyer preferences, w..

Infrastructure Energy

28 Feb 2026

Xbattery launches XB-5K energy storage system for homes, offices

Xbattery, a Hyderabad-based deep-tech company specialising in next-generation energy storage and battery management technologies, has introduced its flagship XB-5K, a scalable 5kWh energy storage system designed for homes and offices in India.The XB-5K is built on the company’s indigenously developed BharatBMS platform, described as India’s first universal high-voltage battery management system architecture aimed at reducing import dependence and improving after-sales service capabilities. The launch comes as India seeks to strengthen domestic manufacturing and address reliance on imported..