NEW DELHI, October 27 (Aalimi Nation) – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave 2026 in the national capital, saying India must embrace, innovate and lead the world in creating future technologies. The three-day ESTIC 2026 conclave runs until October 29 at Bharat Mandapam.
Modi on technology and self-reliance
Speaking at the event, Mr Modi said a developed India must rest on strong foundations of scientific research, discoveries and the spirit of innovation. He said the country aims for self-reliance and greater strength in critical technologies, and described 21st-century India as moving ahead with a new mindset and renewed confidence.
The Prime Minister said the goal is to build technology "for India, for the world, for today, and for the days to come." He also toured sections of the exhibition and interacted with visitors, according to the official account of the event.
What the conclave covers
The conclave is organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, under the guidance of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. Its stated purpose is to strengthen the country's science, technology and innovation ecosystem in support of the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
Discussions are spread across 12 thematic areas, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, advanced materials, manufacturing, healthcare, energy, climate science and ocean research. Organisers said the programme brings together leading scientists, researchers, academics, policymakers, industry leaders, startups and international experts.
Organisers said the focus will be on research priorities, national capabilities, and turning scientific advances into practical applications.
Exhibition and networking
A large technology and innovation exhibition is on display, showing indigenous scientific achievements. About 150 deep-tech startups have stalls at the venue.
The programme also includes a Global Connect networking event, described by organisers as a new initiative. It is meant to bring together more than 300 invited participants from academia, research institutions and industry in India and abroad, with an emphasis on international research partnerships and collaboration between universities and industry.
Space showcase
The Indian Space Research Organisation is among the participants. According to the conclave's curtain-raiser, the exhibition features a model of a proposed next-generation heavy-lift launch vehicle that could place payloads of more than 30,000 kg into low Earth orbit. The showcase also covers the Chandrayaan-4 and Chandrayaan-5 missions, which are aimed at sending Indian astronauts to the Moon, organisers said.
ISRO Chairman V Narayanan spoke at an event ahead of the conclave to outline the agency's participation.
Continuity with earlier editions
The conclave is an annual event, and its previous edition was also inaugurated by Mr Modi. At that edition, the government launched a Research, Development and Innovation Scheme fund of ₹1 lakh crore. Officials have not said whether a comparable financial announcement is planned this year.
Over the next two days, sessions across the 12 thematic areas are scheduled, along with the startup exhibition and the Global Connect meetings. The conclave concludes on October 29.
Organisers have said the event is intended to link research laboratories, startups and industry, so that scientific work can be translated into products and services.
