India’s Deep‑Tech Momentum Highlighted at IISER Convocation
In his convocation address at the IISER Thiruvananthapuram, Abhay Karandikar, member of NITI Aayog and former Secretary of the Department of Science & Technology, praised India’s shift from frugal innovation to a deep‑tech powerhouse.
Key Developments Announced
- Launch and scaling of flagship programmes such as the National Quantum Mission, IndiaAI Mission, India Semiconductor Mission, National Supercomputing Mission, BioE3 Policy, and the Green Hydrogen Mission.
- Creation of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation to support young researchers.
- Emphasis on responsible AI while retaining human curiosity, ethics and integrity.
Important Facts from the Convocation
The ceremony saw the conferment of degrees to 210 BS‑MS students, 58 PhDs, 21 Integrated PhDs, 28 MS (Research), 6 BSc and 78 MSc candidates. Ananthakrishna P. received both the Institute Gold Medal for All‑Round Excellence and the Director’s Gold Medal for Academic Excellence. The Institute Cultural Award went to Paarth Manoj for outstanding extracurricular achievements.
According to Prof. S. Murty Srinivasula, the institute secured 51 externally funded research projects worth nearly ₹29 crore in the last year. New centres such as the Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Startups and the Centre of Excellence in Energy, Sustainability and Climate Change were inaugurated to foster interdisciplinary research and entrepreneurship.
Exam Relevance
These developments intersect with several UPSC syllabus areas: the role of NITI Aayog in shaping science policy (GS2), the impact of national missions on India’s technological self‑reliance and global competitiveness (GS3), and the ethical dimensions of AI and green hydrogen in sustainable development (GS4: Ethics & Environment).
Way Forward
Karandikar urged graduates to become lifelong learners, uphold integrity, and channel scientific knowledge toward nation‑building. For aspirants, the message underscores the importance of staying updated on emerging missions, understanding their policy frameworks, and envisaging careers that blend research with societal impact.