Overview The CSIR‑National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR) has entered into a MoU with the Science City of Andhra Pradesh (SCAP) . The agreement seeks to strengthen science communication and promote joint research in STI policy . The collaboration is expected to enhance evidence‑based policymaking, public awareness and capacity building across Andhra Pradesh. Key Developments Signing ceremony held in Amravati with Dr. Geetha Vani Rayasam (Director, NIScPR), Sri M.T. Krishna Babu (Special Chief Secretary, Andhra Pradesh) and Sri Venkateswarlu Kesineni (CEO, SCAP). Nodal officers appointed: Dr. Yogesh Suman (Chief Scientist, NIScPR) and Dr. N.K. Prasanna (Principal Scientist, NIScPR). Joint initiatives include research projects, seminars, workshops, training programmes and development of educational material. Outreach activities will be aligned with the SDGs . Important Facts Target beneficiaries: students, faculty, researchers and scholars from school to university level. Focus areas: evidence‑based decision‑making, capacity building through training, mentorship and knowledge sharing. Expected outputs: joint publications, scientific journals, policy briefs and digital learning resources. Geographical scope: primarily the state of Andhra Pradesh, with potential replication in other states. UPSC Relevance This MoU touches upon several UPSC syllabus points. CSIR and its institute NIScPR illustrate the role of central scientific bodies in policy support. The partnership showcases how state governments collaborate with national agencies to foster a knowledge‑driven ecosystem, a recurring theme in GS2 (Polity) and GS3 (Science & Technology). Understanding the mechanisms of science communication and STI policy is essential for answering questions on innovation ecosystems, evidence‑based governance and the achievement of the SDGs . Way Forward To maximise impact, the partners should establish a monitoring framework with measurable indicators such as number of joint publications, training modules delivered and outreach events conducted. Scaling the model to other states could create a national network of science‑policy hubs. Continuous engagement with policymakers will ensure that research findings translate into actionable policies, thereby strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem and contributing to sustainable development.