FICCI Bharat R&D Summit 2024: Pioneering Technology and Pushing India’s Innovation Boundaries

New Delhi, October 05 , 2024: The second day of the FICCI Bharat R&D Summit 2024 showcased India’s growing technological prowess, bringing together top minds from academia, industry, and government. Discussions centered on strengthening the commercialization of research, fast-tracking technology transfer, and positioning India as a global leader in innovation.

Cmde Amit Rastogi (Retd), CMD of NRDC, called for a uniform policy framework for Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) to ensure seamless technology commercialization. He highlighted challenges in valuation and readiness of academic innovations, stressing the urgency of a structured approach to bridge the gap between academia and industry. “Collaboration is key, but we need clarity in technology valuation to unlock the full potential of our research,” he noted.

Dr. Pratishtha Pandey, Head of R&D Infrastructure at DST, emphasized how initiatives like FIST and SAIF are fueling the rise of India’s scientific infrastructure. Despite only 0.67% of GDP allocated to R&D, she pointed out that India’s focused programs are driving impactful partnerships with leading industries.

The summit recognized cutting-edge projects that have the potential to reshape industries. IIT Guwahati won top honors for its Totally Implantable Cochlear Implant (TICI), Pandit Deendayal Energy University was the first runner-up for its Green Hydrogen setup using Organic Rankine Cycle, and SRM Institute took third place for its Bullet-Proof Lightweight Prefabricated Wall.

Stalls featured breakthrough innovations, including IIT Kharagpur’s 2G bioethanol production technology and BITS Pilani’s bioimaging dye, designed to enhance live cell imaging techniques. Chitkara University presented a game-changing ergonomic commode chair developed for individuals with disabilities, further pushing the boundaries of social impact design.

Dr. JBV Reddy, Mission Director of the National Quantum Mission, spotlighted India’s ambitious plan to lead the global quantum race with groundbreaking developments in Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, and Quantum Sensing. The mission, supported by Thematic Hubs (T-hubs), aims to accelerate the commercialization of quantum technologies and build a robust startup ecosystem.

The FICCI Bharat R&D Summit 2024 reaffirmed India’s commitment to pushing the frontiers of innovation, with industry-academia partnerships at the heart of this transformative journey.