The Prime Minister’s Science, Technology & Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) has outlined nine national science missions. The objective is to confront severe scientific challenges and ensure sustainable development for India. These missions are spearheaded by distinct ministries and involve a variety of partners such as international and national institutions, young scientists and various industries.
Mission 1: Natural Language Translation
This endeavour is aimed at making progress in science and technology accessible to everyone by eliminating the barrier that English proficiency poses currently. By integrating machine and human translation, it aspires to facilitate access to instructional and research content bilingually, i.e., in English and native Indian languages. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Ministry of Human Resource Development, and the Department of Science and Technology lead this mission.
Mission 2: Quantum Frontier
The mission’s focus is on instigating work in controlling quantum mechanical systems, one of the paramount contemporary challenges in fundamental science and technology. It also aims to build excellence in the quantum frontier crucial for national security, and in developing quantum computers, quantum chemistry, quantum communication, new materials, quantum sensors, and quantum cryptography. The agencies leading this mission include the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Space, Department of Atomic Energy, Defence Research and Development Organisation, and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Mission 3: Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The AI mission concentrates on addressing societal needs in sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, smart cities and infrastructure, including smart mobility and transportation. It is led by NITI Aayog, Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and the Department of Biotechnology.
Mission 4: National Biodiversity Mission
The National Biodiversity Mission includes comprehensive documentation of India’s biodiversity, potential cataloguing and mapping of every life form in India, assessment of conservation status and distribution of biodiversity, and establishing environmentally sound economic models. The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and the Department of Biotechnology are the primary partners for this mission.
Mission 5: Electric Vehicles (EVs)
This mission focuses on developing vehicle sub-systems and components catering to Indian needs by promoting academia industry collaboration. The mission is vital to India for reducing fossil fuel consumption and alleviating emissions.
Mission 6: BioScience for Human Health
Biological science for human health aims to generate comprehensive reference maps of genomes and determine the influence of different environments on bodies. This mission will facilitate better diagnosis and treatments, thereby enhancing the country’s healthcare system.
Mission 7: Waste to Wealth
This mission is aimed at identifying, developing and deploying technologies to transform waste into energy, recycle materials and extract value. It supports the Swachh Bharat and Smart Cities project by integrating science, technology and innovation to create viable economic models for waste management.
Mission 8: Deep Ocean Exploration
The objectives of this mission include exploring the deep oceans scientifically and addressing issues arising from long-term changes in the ocean due to climate change.
Mission 9: AGNIi (Accelerating Growth of New India’s Innovations)
AGNIi aims to foster innovation by connecting innovators to the market and assisting in commercialising innovative solutions. It intends to power techno-entrepreneurship, leading to inclusive socio-economic growth.
Other Major Projects of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser
| Earth Museum | A high-tech museum which will serve as a national repository for fossil preservation and conservation. |
| I-STEM | A national portal that maps publicly funded R&D facilities and equipment across the country. |
| Energy Security | An expert committee for exploration and procurement of essential minerals required for the National Mission of Electric Mobility. |
Note
The Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Council is a supervisory body which assesses the status of specific S&T domains, understands challenges, formulates immediate, mid and long term interventions and presents a roadmap to the Prime Minister. The Principal Scientific Adviser coordinates to facilitate and ensure implementation of major interventions by concerned Government Departments, Agencies and Ministries. The council’s responsibilities include formulating, converging, collaborating, coordinating and implementing multi-stakeholder policy initiatives, mechanisms, reforms and programmes.