**Executive Summary**
The Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NISCPR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on February 10, 2026, in New Delhi. The MoU aims to promote collaborative activities in science communication and evidence-based science policy research, with the goal of strengthening evidence-based policymaking in India. The announcement was posted on February 11, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **MoU Objectives:**
* Promote collaborative policy research studies and joint publications.
* Support pilot projects, capacity-building initiatives, outreach programs, and stakeholder consultations.
* Facilitate engagement with various entities to strengthen India's STI policy ecosystem, including government institutions, international organizations, think tanks, researchers, and young scholars.
* **Overarching Goals:**
* Advance robust, inclusive, and forward-looking STI policies through collaborative research.
* Encourage knowledge exchange and dialogue at national and global levels.
**Impact Analysis**
**INSA (Indian National Science Academy)**
* **Impact:** Expected to leverage its strengths in policy research and academic engagement to create meaningful impact in STI policy research. The partnership aligns with its legacy and supports adapting to the present era of technological transformation.
* **Action Required:** Participate in collaborative research, knowledge exchange, and dialogue as outlined in the MoU. Design and implement policies to guide India towards a sustainable science and innovation ecosystem.
**CSIR-NISCPR (National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research)**
* **Impact:** Expected to leverage its strengths in science communication to create meaningful impact in STI policy research.
* **Action Required:** Collaborate with INSA on research studies, publications, pilot projects, and other initiatives.
**Government Institutions, International Organizations, Think Tanks, Researchers, Young Scholars**
* **Impact:** Will have opportunities to engage with INSA and CSIR-NISCPR through collaborative projects and initiatives.
* **Action Required:** Participate in opportunities for engagement, such as collaborative research, knowledge exchange, and dialogue.
**Indian STI Policy Ecosystem**
* **Impact:** Strengthened through collaborative research, knowledge exchange, and dialogue, aiming for robust, inclusive, and forward-looking policies.
* **Action Required:** N/A.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian National Science Academy (INSA): One of the signatories of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on science communication and policy research.
National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NISCPR): One of the signatories of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on science communication and policy research.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): Agreement between INSA and CSIR-NISCPR to promote collaborative activities on science communication and evidence-based science policy research.
Department of Science and Technology (DST): Institution formerly advised by Dr. Akhilesh Gupta, outlining the rationale of the MoU.
NITI Aayog: Institution of which Dr. V.K. Saraswat is a member, congratulating both institutions on the partnership
Ministry of Science & Technology
INSA and NIScPR Signed MoU to Advance
Science Communication and Policy Research
Posted On: 11 FEB 2026 6:14PM by PIB Delhi
Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the National Institute of Science Communication and
Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 10 February 2026
at INSA, New Delhi, to promote collaborative activities on science communication and evidence-based
science policy research and strengthen evidence-based policymaking in India.
The programme began with welcome remarks by Dr. Brajesh Pandey, Executive Director, INSA. Dr
Akhilesh Gupta, Former Senior Advisor, Department of Science and Technology (DST), outlined the
genesis and rationale of the MoU and emphasised the importance of sustained institutional collaboration
for advancing evidence-based STI policy research.
Dr. Geetha Vani Rayasam, Director, CSIR-NIScPR, highlighted the complementarity between the two
organisations and noted that the partnership would enable both institutions to leverage their respective
strengths in science communication, policy research, and academic engagement to create meaningful
impact in STI policy research. Prof. Anurag Agrawal, Vice President (Policy), INSA, underlined the
importance of designing effective policies to guide India towards a sustainable and future-ready science
and innovation ecosystem.
Prof. Shekhar C. Mande, President, INSA, reflected on the shared legacy of the two institutions and
described the collaboration as particularly significant in the present era of rapid scientific and
technological transformation. He emphasised the need for strong policy foundations to guide STI
development in the broader context of societal well-being and human survival.
Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Hon’ble Member, NITI Aayog, congratulated both institutions on the partnership
and stressed the importance of policy frameworks that support the responsible and human-centric adoption
of disruptive technologies. He highlighted the role of pilot studies, digital twins and similar tools in
assessing policy effectiveness and strengthening implementation mechanisms.
MoU aims to promote collaborative policy research studies, joint publications, pilot projects, capacity-
building initiatives, outreach programmes and stakeholder consultations. It will also facilitate engagement
with government institutions, international organisations, think tanks, researchers and young scholars to
strengthen India’s STI policy ecosystem.
Through this partnership, INSA and CSIR-NIScPR reaffirm their shared commitment to advancing
robust, inclusive and forward-looking STI policies through collaborative research, knowledge exchange
and dialogue at national and global levels.*****
AK/FK
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