**Executive Summary**
On July 14, 2026, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh reviewed the significant expansion of science and technology infrastructure in India's North Eastern Region, noting a major increase in weather radars and seismological observatories since 2014. The review highlighted the inauguration of NECTAR's Geo-Informatics Laboratory and progress on various grassroots initiatives targeting disaster resilience and rural development. Key future milestones include the establishment of 50 STEM laboratories and the completion of a permanent campus in New Shillong to drive the vision of "Viksit Bharat @2047."
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Infrastructure and Disaster Preparedness**
* Weather radar coverage in the North East expanded from 2 units (pre-2014) to 13 units.
* Seismological observatories increased from 84 to 171.
* Specialized lightning detection stations were established for the first time in Meghalaya and Tripura to enhance disaster resilience.
* **Agricultural and Rural Technology**
* The "Vasundhara" soil organic carbon detection laboratory was established to provide in-situ testing and scientific recommendations, with 2,500 kits already distributed.
* A Mobile Food Processing Unit (MPU) was launched to provide "processing on wheels," facilitating value addition at the farm level for small and marginal farmers.
* The SVAMITVA Scheme has utilized drone-based mapping for over 700 villages, while PM-DevINE projects involve 25,000 farmers in organic agriculture.
* **Educational and Capacity Building Initiatives**
* The STEM Education Laboratory, operational since January 2025, aims to establish 50 labs across five states to benefit 25,000 students.
* Capacity building efforts have trained 569 drone technicians, 107 certified drone pilots, and 247 GIS and Remote Sensing professionals.
* Over 4,500 students have received training in emerging technologies, including AI, robotics, and 3D printing.
* **Technological and Institutional Growth**
* Inauguration of a Geo-Informatics Laboratory equipped with 17 advanced drones (LiDAR and hyperspectral-enabled) for forest carbon assessment and disaster management.
* Construction of NECTAR’s permanent campus at New Shillong is underway to provide world-class infrastructure for research, innovation, and training.
**Impact Analysis**
**Farmers and Rural Communities**
* **Impact:** Enhanced income potential through on-site food processing and scientific soil health management. Improved land record accuracy via drone mapping.
* **Action Required:** Leverage NECTAR’s soil testing kits and mobile processing facilities to improve crop yields and market access.
**Students and North Eastern Youth**
* **Impact:** Increased access to experiential learning in high-tech fields and certified vocational training, leading to new livelihood opportunities in the drone and GIS sectors.
* **Action Required:** Enroll in STEM laboratory programs and certified training courses offered by NECTAR’s Remote Pilot Training Organisation.
**Scientific and Academic Institutions**
* **Impact:** Access to sophisticated geospatial data and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for collaborative research in biodiversity and disaster resilience.
* **Action Required:** Partner with NECTAR for technology-led development projects and utilize the new Geo-Informatics Laboratory for regional scientific studies.
Key Entities Referenced
North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR): An autonomous body under the Department of Science & Technology serving as the primary technology implementation agency for development in the North Eastern Region.
PM-DevINE (Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North Eastern Region): A central government scheme funding developmental projects in the North East, including NECTAR's soil health and organic agriculture initiatives.
SVAMITVA Scheme: A central initiative for drone-based mapping of village residential areas, implemented in the region using NECTAR's geospatial technology.
Viksit Bharat @2047: A long-term government policy vision for a developed India by 2047, to which the scientific advancements in the North East are strategically aligned.
Department of Science & Technology (DST): The primary government department responsible for overseeing scientific infrastructure expansion and reviewing the progress of S&T institutions in the North East.
Ministry of Science & Technology
North East Witnesses Unprecedented Expansion
of Science & Technology Infrastructure under
Prime Minister Narendra Modi: Dr. Jitendra Singh
Before 2014 the entire North East had only two weather
radars, including just one in Meghalaya, despite Cherrapunji
recording the world's highest rainfall. Today, the region has
13 weather radars. Likewise, the number of seismological
observatories has increased from 84 before 2014 to 171 at
present: Dr Jitendra Singh
Dr. Jitendra Singh Reviews Science & Technology Institutions
in Shillong, Calls NECTAR a Catalyst for Technology-Led
Development
North East Emerging as a Hub of Scientific Innovation and
Technology Applications: Dr. Jitendra Singh
Dr. Jitendra Singh Inaugurates Geo-Informatics Laboratory at
NECTAR, Reviews S&T Institutions in North East
प्रव तथ: 14 JUL 2026 5:14PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Minister of
State in the Prime Minister's Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space,
Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that the North Eastern Region has witnessed an unprecedented expansion of
scientific infrastructure during the last decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
correcting decades of neglect despite the region's strategic importance and unique geographical
challenges.
Referring to the remarkable transformation in scientific capabilities, he said that before 2014 the entire
North East had only two weather radars, including just one in Meghalaya, despite Cherrapunji recording
the world's highest rainfall. Today, the region has 13 weather radars. Likewise, the number of
seismological observatories has increased from 84 before 2014 to 171 at present, while specialised
lightning detection stations, which did not exist earlier in the region, have now been established in
Meghalaya and Tripura. He said these interventions reflect the Government's sustained commitment to
strengthening scientific preparedness, disaster resilience and technology-based development across the
North East.Dr. Jitendra Singh made these remarks while chairing a comprehensive review meeting of Science &
Technology institutions under the Department of Science & Technology at the North East Centre for
Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), Shillong. During the meeting, Heads of various DST
institutions presented updates on their ongoing programmes, major achievements and future initiatives
relating to scientific research, innovation, technology dissemination and capacity building in the North
Eastern Region. The Minister also inaugurated NECTAR's state-of-the-art Geo-Informatics Laboratory
and visited several flagship technology facilities, interacting with scientists, researchers, students,
beneficiary farmers and officials.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that science and technology must directly improve the lives of ordinary citizens
and appreciated NECTAR for successfully translating laboratory innovations into practical technologies
benefiting farmers, youth, entrepreneurs and rural communities across the North East. He said institutions
such as NECTAR have become important instruments for ensuring that the benefits of scientific research
reach the grassroots.
The Minister witnessed the demonstration of the Mobile Food Processing Unit (MPU), jointly developed
by NECTAR and CSIR-CFTRI, and described it as an innovative "processing on wheels" model that
brings food processing technologies directly to farmers' doorsteps. He said the facility enables value
addition at the farm level, particularly for small and marginal farmers, while promoting skill development,
food quality assurance and entrepreneurship. The Minister said such interventions strengthen farmers'
confidence by creating livelihood opportunities from even small agricultural produce.
Reviewing NECTAR's interventions under the PM-DevINE programme, Dr. Jitendra Singh appreciated
the establishment of the Vasundhara Soil Organic Carbon Detection Laboratory-cum-Manufacturing Unit
using technology transferred from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). He said the facility
provides accurate in-situ soil testing and scientific recommendations that will significantly benefit
farmers, agricultural universities and research institutions. He was informed that nearly 2,500 farmers
have already received soil testing kits and that the initiative will eventually help create a comprehensive
soil health database for the region.
The Minister also visited NECTAR's STEM Education Laboratory, which promotes experiential learning
through robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, 3D printing and innovation-based activities. He said the
laboratory has generated remarkable enthusiasm among school students since becoming operational in
January 2025 and appreciated the initiative to establish 50 STEM laboratories across five North Eastern
States in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, benefiting nearly 25,000 students, particularly in remote and
underserved areas.
Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated NECTAR's advanced Geo-Informatics Laboratory and described it as one
of the most sophisticated geospatial technology facilities in the North Eastern Region. Equipped with 17
advanced drones, including LiDAR and hyperspectral-enabled VTOL platforms, supported by high-
performance computing systems and specialised geospatial software, the laboratory has already executed
projects covering more than 2,000 square kilometres in areas such as forest carbon assessment,
biodiversity conservation, mining restoration and disaster resilience. Drone-based mapping has also
supported over 700 villages under the SVAMITVA Scheme besides scientific organic agriculture projects
under PM-DevINE involving nearly 25,000 farmers.
The Minister appreciated NECTAR's emphasis on capacity building, noting that the Centre has trained 569
drone technicians, 247 GIS and Remote Sensing professionals, 107 certified drone pilots through its
Remote Pilot Training Organisation and more than 4,500 students in emerging technologies. These
initiatives have also generated livelihood opportunities for over 190 youth from the North Eastern Region
while contributing to India's Drone Mission and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.Dr. Jitendra Singh said NECTAR has emerged as a key technology implementation agency in the North
East through initiatives covering scientific organic agriculture, community seed banks, banana fibre value
addition, post-harvest management, food processing, bamboo and natural fibre technologies, technology
incubation and entrepreneurship promotion. These interventions, he said, are strengthening farmer
collectives, improving market access, promoting rural enterprises and creating sustainable livelihood
opportunities throughout the region.
The Minister also expressed satisfaction over the progress of NECTAR's permanent campus at New
Shillong, which is expected to provide world-class infrastructure for research, innovation, technology
demonstration, incubation, training and capacity building. He said the upcoming campus will further
strengthen the institution's role in addressing the unique developmental requirements of the North Eastern
Region through science-driven solutions.
Congratulating NECTAR and all partner institutions, Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed confidence that the
Centre would continue to emerge as a national hub for geospatial science, drone technology, artificial
intelligence and technology-enabled rural development, making a significant contribution towards the
vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.*****
NKR/AK
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