The central government has extended the term of Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) K. VijayRaghavan by a year. His contract was to end on April 2 which has now been extended.
Key Points
- The Department of Personnel and Training issued an official order on March 25 regarding the extension of the term of PSA. Dr. Vijayaraghavan was appointed PSA in the year 2018 after retiring as Secretary, Department of Biotechnology.
- His contract was to end on April 2 but has now been extended until April 2022.
- Since the pandemic began, the Office of the PSA has been among the key coordinating agencies with research bodies, industry, health, and science ministries to speed up the development of diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines.
- The PSA office has also been instrumental in formulating the National Science Innovation and Technology Policy as well as the forthcoming National Research Foundation.
Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) Office
The Cabinet Secretariat established the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India in November 1999. The office of PSA aims to offer pragmatic advice to the PM and cabinet on matters related to technology, science, and innovation with a major focus on the application of science and technology in critical economic, infrastructure, and social sectors in partnership with Government departments and industry.
