National Technology Day 2026 Highlights

National Technology Day 2026 Highlights

Event Overview:

• The National Technology Day 2026 was celebrated with a program called "Vigyan-Tak" organized by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) at the National Institute of Immunology (NII), New Delhi.
• The event brought together 14 scientific ministries and departments to showcase India’s scientific excellence and technological advancements.

Key Participants:

• Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, inaugurated the National Technology Exhibition.
• Key figures included Professor Ajay Kumar Sood (Principal Scientific Advisor) and Dr. Rajiv Bahal (Director General of ICMR).

Technological Innovations Presented:

• ICMR showcased six high-impact indigenous technologies across biopharma, health, and bio-industrial sectors, including:
  • Covaxin
  • COVID Kavach ELISA Kit
  • CRISPR-Cas Based TB Detection System
  • Nipah Point-of-Care Test
  • Dengue Diagnostic ELISA Kit
  • Biolarvicide for Mosquito Control

Technology Transfer Initiatives:

• Three indigenous technologies were licensed to industry partners through ICMR's Medical Innovation Patent Mitra initiative:
  1. PSP 94 ELISA for aiding prostate biopsy decisions in patients with PSA < 20 ng/ml, developed by ICMR-NIRWHO, licensed to Krishgen Labs Pvt. Ltd.
  2. Factor VIII Inhibitor/Coagulation Disorder Point-of-Care Diagnostic, developed by ICMR-NIRBID, licensed to Meril Life Sciences.
  3. Single-Tube Multiplex Real-Time RT-PCR for detecting Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika viruses, developed by ICMR-NIV, licensed to Vanguard Life Sciences.

Significance of the Event:

• The technology transfer emphasizes ICMR's commitment to protecting publicly funded innovations and ensuring their seamless transition to industry-friendly solutions.
• The initiative aligns with the 'Make in India' vision, promoting indigenous manufacturing and strengthening the medical innovation value chain for a self-reliant healthcare system.

Commitment to Innovation:

• The "Vigyan-Tak" program served as a national platform for showcasing technologies developed by leading research institutions, reinforcing collaboration between government, academia, and industry.
• This collective commitment aims to build a robust innovation ecosystem supporting the vision of a developed India.

Economic and Research Impact:

• The innovations highlighted during the event address national health priorities through indigenous research and innovation, demonstrating ICMR's vital role in diagnostics, medical devices, digital health, disease surveillance, and genetic research.

Conclusion

The National Technology Day 2026 underscored India's progress in scientific research and technology, showcasing the government's efforts to foster innovation and enhance healthcare capabilities through indigenous solutions.