**Executive Summary**
Inaugurated on National Technology Day, May 12, 2026, Vigyan TECH 2026 showcased India’s growing innovation ecosystem and "whole-of-government" collaborative efforts. The event highlighted the transfer of three key food processing technologies from NIFTEM-Kundli to industry partners and the release of a national compendium featuring 293 indigenous technologies. The initiative aims to accelerate innovation-driven growth to support the "Viksit Bharat @ 2047" vision.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**National Innovation Growth**
* India’s startup ecosystem has expanded from approximately 400 startups in 2014 to over two lakhs in 2026, ranking third globally.
* The country’s Global Innovation Index (GII) ranking improved from 80 to 38.
* India now ranks 6th globally in patent filings, with over one lakh patents filed annually (55% by Indian residents).
**Collaborative Governance and Publications**
* Fourteen Science & Technology Ministries and Departments collaborated on a single platform under the theme “Building India’s Innovation Ecosystem for Viksit Bharat.”
* The government released “TECH-संग्रह” and “Vigyan Sangraha,” compendiums of indigenous technologies developed by autonomous institutions.
* Out of 293 technologies featured in the compendium, 23 were developed by NIFTEM-Kundli.
**NIFTEM-Kundli Technological Advancements**
* **Technology Transfers:** Three specific technologies were transferred to industry: Hybrid Dryer Technologies (Solar-based), Protein & Fiber Rich Granola Bar formulations, and Extruded Product Technologies (millet, dal, and tuber-based snacks).
* **Exhibited Innovations:** Ten additional technologies were showcased, including rapid detection kits for contaminants in water, tea, and paneer, and methods to detect calcium carbide in ripened fruits.
* **Health and Wellness:** Featured products included gluten-free items, vitamin D-enriched mushroom flour, probiotic kanji powder, and honey/ghee powders.
**Strategic Vision**
* The event emphasized technological convergence across ministries to address challenges in health, climate change, agriculture, and food systems.
* The program concluded with a resolve to intensify scientific collaboration to steer India toward its 2047 developmental goals.
**Impact Analysis**
**Food Processing Industry and Startups**
**Impact**
Industry partners and startups gain access to indigenous, industry-ready solutions, such as clean-energy drying systems and health-focused food formulations, to meet expanding market demands.
**Action Required**
Startups and industry partners must integrate the transferred technologies into their production lines and commercialize the high-nutrition, ready-to-eat formulations.
**Scientific and Research Institutions (e.g., NIFTEM-K)**
**Impact**
Institutions receive national recognition for cutting-edge research and successfully bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and commercial application through MoUs and technology transfers.
**Action Required**
Continue to develop indigenous technologies and collaborate with other ministries to address emerging national challenges in agriculture and health.
**Government Ministries and Departments**
**Impact**
Ministries are now operating on a unified platform, promoting a "whole-of-government" approach to national development and innovation.
**Action Required**
Maintain and intensify inter-ministerial scientific collaboration to accelerate the roadmap toward "Viksit Bharat @ 2047."
Key Entities Referenced
Vigyan TECH 2026: A landmark multi-ministerial 'whole-of-government' initiative and exhibition showcasing collaborative national efforts in science, technology, and innovation.
NIFTEM-Kundli (National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management): The national-level apex institute under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, highlighted for its contributions to food processing research and technology transfers.
Vigyan Sangraha (TECH-संग्रह): A compendium of 293 indigenous technologies developed by autonomous institutions across 14 Science & Technology Ministries and Departments.
Viksit Bharat @ 2047: The strategic national vision and theme guiding the acceleration of innovation-driven growth and technological convergence across various sectors.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Vigyan TECH 2026 Held at BRIC-NII; NIFTEM-
Kundli Presents Pivotal Achievements in Food
Processing Research and Innovation
Posted On: 12 MAY 2026 7:36PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, PMO,
Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, inaugurated
Vigyan TECH 2026 on the occasion of National Technology Day at BRIC-NII, New Delhi. Addressing the
gathering, Dr. Singh stated that while India has always possessed exceptional scientific capability, the past
nearly twelve year period has ushered in an unprecedented national push for science, technology and
innovation, firmly positioning India among the leading global knowledge economies.
Dr. Singh highlighted India’s remarkable expansion in innovation and entrepreneurship, noting that the
country’s startup ecosystem has grown from 350–400 startups in 2014 to over two lakhs today, making it
the third-largest globally. He further underscored India’s sharp rise in global innovation metrics (Global
Innovation Index) ranking improving from 80 to 38, and India now standing 6th globally in patent filings,
with more than one lakh annual patents, over 55% filed by Indian residents. India has also emerged among
the world’s top contributors to high-quality scientific publications and innovation-led research.
Hon’ble Minister inaugurated the technology exhibition and interacted with participating institutions at the
event themed “Building India’s Innovation Ecosystem for Viksit Bharat.” For the first time, fourteen
Science & Technology Ministries and Departments came together on a unified platform to showcase
collaborative national efforts. The programme also featured the release of “TECH-संग्रह”, a compendium of
indigenous technologies developed by autonomous institutions of participating Ministries, along with
MoU exchanges and announcements of major technology transfers. Distinguished dignitaries included
Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India; Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale,
Secretary, Department of Biotechnology; Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences; and
senior officials from DST, CSIR, ICMR, NITI Aayog and other scientific organizations.
A special message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, delivered by Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, conveyed
greetings on National Technology Day and commended the multi-ministerial collaboration in
strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem.
Under the visionary leadership of Dr. H. S. Oberoi, NIFTEM-Kundli, the national level apex institute of
the Ministry of Food Processing Industries drew significant attention at Vigyan TECH 2026 for its
contributions to India’s food processing ecosystem through cutting-edge research, innovations and
technologies.
A compendium of technologies, Vigyan Sangraha, was released by the Hon’ble Union Minister during the
National Technology Day celebrations. Notably, 23 cutting-edge technologies developed by NIFTEM-K
have featured in this compendium, out of a total of 293 technologies contributed by various Science &
Technology organizations in the country. During the event, three technologies from NIFTEM-K were
successfully transferred to industry partners and start-ups, which include1. Hybrid Dryer Technologies: Evacuated Tube Solar Hybrid Dryer and Hybrid Greenhouse Solar
Dryer
Promoting clean-energy-based, efficient drying systems for sustainable food processing.
2. Protein & Fiber Rich Granola Bar Technology
A high-nutrition, ready-to-eat formulation targeting the expanding health and wellness market.
3. Extruded Product Technologies: Featuring Millet Puffs, Dal Puffs, Multigrain Puffs, Sweet
Potato Puffs and Nachos, supporting value addition of indigenous cereals and tubers.
These technology transfers reflect NIFTEM-Kundli’s mission to advance indigenous innovations and
promote industry-ready solutions for India’s rapidly evolving food processing sector. In addition, ten
technologies from NIFTEM-K were identified for inclusion in the exhibition, which included, Advanced
rapid detection methods for contaminants and adulterants in water, tea leaves and paneer and method for
detection of fruits ripened using calcium carbide; gluten free products, honey and ghee powder; probiotic
kanji powder; vitamin D enriched mushroom flour and other healthy snacks having a positive impact on
health. Rapid detection kits for adulterants and contaminants and probiotic products caught the immediate
attention of PSA, Secretaries, Directors of different Institutes, other dignitaries and visitors during the
exhibition.
In his concluding remarks, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood described Vigyan TECH 2026 as a landmark “whole-
of-government” initiative, emphasizing the need for technological convergence across Ministries and
scientific institutions to address emerging challenges in health, climate change, agriculture, food systems
and national development.
The event concluded with a collective resolve to intensify scientific collaboration, accelerate innovation-
driven growth and steer India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat @ 2047.*****
MoFPI-CMC
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Read this release in: Urdu