**Executive Summary**
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari met on May 26, 2026, to initiate the immediate rollout of major Central science, innovation, and startup schemes across West Bengal. The collaboration focuses on scaling up initiatives like INSPIRE and KIRAN while launching targeted research on arsenic poisoning and cancer clinical trials. A preliminary coordination meeting is scheduled within the next few days to establish a formal implementation roadmap.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Implementation of Central Schemes**
* Immediate rollout of all major Central schemes related to science, research, innovation, and startups in West Bengal.
* Expansion of student-centric and women-centric flagship programmes, including INSPIRE, INSPIRE MANAK, Vigyan Jyoti, KIRAN, and WISE.
* Integration of these schemes into schools and colleges to foster scientific temper and talent development among youth.
**Public Health and Clinical Research**
* Initiation of a dedicated, CSIR-led study on arsenic poisoning in affected districts of West Bengal.
* Commencement of collaborative clinical and drug trial-related research focusing on cancer and antimicrobial therapies.
* Formation of a research network involving premier scientific institutions, Government Medical Colleges, Cancer Hospitals, and AIIMS-linked facilities.
**Coordinated Framework and Strategy**
* Establishment of a coordinated framework between the Centre and the state government to expand biotechnology and startup promotion.
* Convening of a preliminary meeting between the State Science & Technology Department and Central officials to prepare an implementation roadmap.
* Follow-up high-level ministerial interactions to review progress and identify further areas for collaboration.
**Impact Analysis**
**Students and Youth**
**Impact**
They will gain increased access to Central innovation and research-oriented talent development programmes in schools and colleges.
**Action Required**
Participate in expanded schemes such as INSPIRE and Vigyan Jyoti to develop scientific skills.
**Women in Science**
**Impact**
Enhanced opportunities for participation in the technology sector through the scaling of WISE and KIRAN schemes.
**Action Required**
Engage with the newly implemented women-centric scientific initiatives and research frameworks.
**State Science & Technology Department and Central Officials**
**Impact**
Responsible for bridging the gap between Central policy and state-level execution.
**Action Required**
Convene a preliminary coordination meeting within a few days to prepare the implementation roadmap.
**Scientific and Medical Institutions (CSIR, AIIMS, Medical Colleges)**
**Impact**
Tasked with leading regional interventions and complex clinical research.
**Action Required**
Collaborate on arsenic poisoning studies and clinical drug trials for cancer and antimicrobial therapies.
Key Entities Referenced
West Bengal: The primary state of applicability where Central science, innovation, and startup schemes are being scaled up and implemented with immediate effect.
Ministry of Science & Technology: The central ministry responsible for coordinating the expansion of scientific research, biotechnology, and educational outreach initiatives in the state.
Dr Jitendra Singh and Suvendu Adhikari: The Union Minister and West Bengal Chief Minister, respectively, who led the high-level meeting to roll out time-bound science initiatives.
INSPIRE, Vigyan Jyoti, WISE and KIRAN Schemes: A set of flagship Central programs focused on student-centric innovation, science education outreach, and promoting women's participation in the technology sector.
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR): The scientific body designated to lead a dedicated study on arsenic poisoning in affected districts of West Bengal.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Centre, West Bengal to Roll Out Central Science
and Innovation Schemes with Immediate Effect
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, West Bengal CM Suvendu
Adhikari Discuss Time-Bound Expansion of Science
Initiatives in West Bengal
West Bengal to Scale Up INSPIRE, Vigyan Jyoti, WISE and
KIRAN Schemes; Arsenic Poisoning Research and Cancer
Drug Trials Emerge as Key Outcomes of Kolkata Meeting
Scientific Institutions, Medical Colleges and AIIMS Networks
to Collaborate on Clinical Research in West Bengal
Posted On: 26 MAY 2026 5:13PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of
State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Jitendra Singh held an
extensive meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata, during which it was
decided that all major Central schemes related to science, research, innovation and StartUps would be
implemented in West Bengal with immediate effect.
The meeting also arrived at two key decisions of regional importance, initiation of a dedicated study on
arsenic poisoning in affected districts of West Bengal through CSIR institutions, and commencement of
collaborative clinical and drug trial-related research on cancer and antimicrobial therapies involving
premier scientific institutions, Government Medical Colleges, Cancer Hospitals and AIIMS-linked
medical networks.
The meeting was attended by directors and representatives of scientific institutions functioning under the
Ministry of Science & Technology in West Bengal. Discussions focused on building a coordinated
framework between the Centre and the state government for expanding scientific research, innovation,
biotechnology, clinical studies, startup promotion and science education outreach across the state.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said West Bengal possesses a strong scientific and academic ecosystem, with
institutions under the Ministry of Science & Technology already functioning across the state and
contributing to advanced areas of research. He said the state also holds enormous potential for scientific
research, clinical trials and innovation-driven collaboration involving research institutions, medical
colleges and healthcare networks.A major focus of the discussions was the implementation of student-centric and women-centric schemes
of the Department of Science & Technology in schools and colleges across West Bengal. It was decided
that flagship programmes including INSPIRE, INSPIRE MANAK, Vigyan Jyoti, KIRAN and WISE
would be expanded and implemented in a coordinated manner to strengthen scientific temper, innovation
and participation of students and women in science and technology sectors.
The Minister said the integration of Central scientific schemes with educational institutions in West
Bengal would help create a stronger pipeline for innovation, scientific learning and research-oriented
talent development among the youth.
The meeting also discussed region-specific scientific interventions, particularly in areas affecting public
health in parts of West Bengal. It was decided that CSIR-led scientific studies on arsenic poisoning,
reported in several districts of the state, would be initiated immediately. Simultaneously, collaborative
research efforts relating to cancer drugs, antimicrobial therapies and clinical research would also be taken
forward through coordination among scientific institutions, Government Medical Colleges, Cancer
Hospitals and premier healthcare institutions.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said the convergence of scientific institutions, academia, healthcare infrastructure and
innovation ecosystems can create a new model of science-led regional development in Eastern India. He
said the coordinated participation of research institutions and educational establishments would help
strengthen the state’s contribution to India’s expanding knowledge and innovation economy.
It was further decided that a preliminary coordination meeting involving the State Science & Technology
Department and senior officials from Central scientific ministries and departments would be convened
within the next few days to prepare an implementation roadmap. This would subsequently be followed by
a higher-level ministerial interaction with the Chief Minister to review the progress of the initiatives and
identify additional areas of collaboration.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said the decisions taken during the meeting reflect a shared commitment between the
Centre and the West Bengal government to accelerate scientific growth, research collaboration, startup
development and technology-driven public welfare initiatives in the state.*****
NKR/AK
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