News & Events
India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025
The Arunachal Pradesh State Council for Science & Technology (APSCS&T) participated in the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025: Science–Technology–Defence–Space Exhibition, held from 6th to 9th December, 2025 at Chandigarh. During the event, the Council displayed its innovative products, ongoing research work and major scientific activities.
A team from APSCS&T led by Shri Sangrakpa Khochey, Joint Director (Admin), and Shri Sourav Kumar Pathak, Scientist-C, DBT-APSCS&T Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Kimin, along with three other members from APSCS&T and the CoE, represented Arunachal Pradesh at the national platform. The team presented various research outputs, bioresource-based products, technological applications, and community-oriented scientific activities carried out by APSCS&T and the CoE. The exhibition stall received a good response from visitors, including students, researchers, and industry professionals, who showed interest in the Council’s work related to:
• Bioresource conservation and value addition
• Biotechnology research and innovation
• Honey processing, beekeeping technology, and value-added products
• R&D activities under DBT and DST supported projects.
• Skill development and outreach programmes of APSCS&T and the CoE
The India International Science Festival (IISF) is one of the largest annual science outreach events in the country. The 11th edition of IISF at Chandigarh continued this national initiative jointly organised by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA) providing a platform for scientific institutions, innovators, start-ups, and students across the country to showcase research progress, foster collaboration, and promote scientific temperament. IISF plays a significant role in connecting grassroots innovations to national visibility and in highlighting the transformative role of science and technology in societal development.
In addition to the exhibition, Ms. Sumedha, IAS, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, participated in the Thought Leaders’ Roundtable, where she highlighted the State’s focused efforts toward strengthening Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in alignment with its unique terrain and community traditions. She briefly outlined the State’s current priorities, including the establishment of a technical cell with GIS, hydrology, and environmental expertise for district-level support; promotion of community-ready and low-maintenance technologies such as gravity-fed firefighting systems, atmospheric water generators, hybrid solar solutions, and digital learning tools for remote schools; expansion of grassroots science education through digital planetariums, mobile labs, and STEM outreach in local languages; deeper collaborations with national institutions such as CSIR, NITs and NEIST for technology customisation suitable for mountain ecosystems; and initiatives to nurture youth innovation through clubs, seed grants, and local competitions. She emphasised that these collective efforts aim to make Arunachal Pradesh a living laboratory for mountain technologies and ensure that the benefits of science reach every village.
Participation in IISF 2025 gave APSCS&T an opportunity to present the scientific work being carried out in Arunachal Pradesh and interact with experts from across the country. APSCS&T continues to work towards strengthening science, technology, and innovation for the development of the State.
Awareness Workshop on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) was conducted on 19th November 2025 at the NIT–AP TEL Center
A one-day Awareness Workshop on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) was conducted on 19th November 2025 at the NIT–AP TEL Center, organized by the Patent Information Centre (PIC), Arunachal Pradesh State Council for Science and Technology, in collaboration with the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Arunachal Pradesh.
The programme began with an inaugural address by Prof. Mohan V. Aware, Director, NIT Arunachal Pradesh, who highlighted the growing importance of patents and IPR in academic research and innovation. He emphasized that awareness of IPR is essential for researchers to safeguard their ideas and contribute effectively to national development.
Shri C. D. Mungyak, Director-cum-Secretary, and Dr. Tage Taki, Chairman, Arunachal Pradesh State Council for Science and Technology, spoke on the need for patents in research and how intellectual property can strengthen the innovation ecosystem of the state. They encouraged faculty members and scholars to actively engage in patent filing to translate their work into impactful technologies.
The technical session was led by Shri Sidharth Debnath, IP professional and expert from PDTCS, Guwahati, Assam. He conducted hands-on training on patent searching, filing procedures, and the overall patenting process. Participants were introduced to practical tools and strategies to identify patentable ideas and navigate the formalities involved in securing intellectual property rights.
A total of 97 participants, including faculty members, research scholars, and students, attended the programme. The sessions received an overwhelmingly positive response, with participants remaining actively engaged throughout the workshop.
The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Saikat Kumar Jana, Coordinator of the IPR Cell, NIT Arunachal Pradesh, and Mr. Terpo Ronya, Coordinator of PIC Arunachal Pradesh. They acknowledged the support of PIC–Arunachal Pradesh and appreciated the enthusiasm of students, research scholars, and faculty members.
The workshop successfully enhanced awareness on IPR-related issues and motivated the academic community to pursue innovation with a stronger understanding of patent processes.
Industry–Academia Meet 2025 Strengthens Biotechnology Collaboration in Northeast India
The Arunachal Pradesh State Council for Science & Technology (APSCS&T), Centre of Excellence for Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Kimin (CoE for BRSD), Department of Science & Technology, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, with the support of Dept. of Biotechnology, Govt. of India has successfully organized the Industry–Academia Meet 2025 today i.e., on 5th November 2025 at the Golden Jubilee State Banquet Hall, Itanagar. The event, centered around the theme “Comprehensive Biotech Skills and Empowerment Development Programme for Postgraduates of Arunachal Pradesh and other NER States,” brought together a distinguished gathering of scientists, academicians, policymakers, and industry leaders to chart the future of biotechnology education, research, and employment in the North Eastern Region (NER). Designed as a dynamic platform for dialogue and collaboration, the meet sought to bridge the gap between academic learning and industrial application, while promoting employability, entrepreneurship, and innovation among biotechnology postgraduates across the region.
The programme began with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, symbolizing the spirit of knowledge and innovation, followed by a welcome address by Er. C.D. Mungyak, Director-cum-Member Secretary, APSCS&T. In her introductory remarks, Dr. Suraksha S. Diwan, Scientist-F & Associate Head, NER Division, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, emphasized DBT’s continued commitment to nurturing biotechnology talent and strengthening human resource capacity in the Northeast through sustained skill development and research support. Delivering the keynote address virtually, Dr. Nitin Kumar Jain, Scientist-G/Advisor (NER Division), DBT, highlighted the need to align academic curricula with industrial needs to create a skilled and innovation-oriented biotechnology workforce for the region.
A major highlight of the inaugural session was the launch of three innovative biotechnologies by the DBT–APSCS&T Centre of Excellence for Bioresources and Sustainable Development (CoE–BRSD), Kimin-namely, the Banana Fibre Tea Bag Technology, the Mobile Cohobation Platform, and the Temperature-Independent Microbial Revival Formulation—showcasing Arunachal Pradesh’s leadership in sustainable, eco-friendly, and entrepreneurship-driven bio-innovation in the Northeast.
The event was graced by Dr. Tage Taki, Chairman, APSCS&T, Ms. Sumedha, IAS, Secretary (S&T), Government of Arunachal Pradesh; Dr. Nitin Kumar Jain, Scientist-G/Advisor (NER Division), Dr. Suraksha S. Diwan, Scientist-F & Associate Head, NER Division, DBT; Er. K.C. Dhimole, Technical Adviser to the Government of Arunachal Pradesh; and who served as the Guest of Honour. Dr. Debajit Mahanta, Joint Director, APSCS&T & Project Director, DBT–APSCS&T CoE for BRSD, delivered the Vote of Thanks for the inaugural session, expressing gratitude to DBT, participating industries, academic partners, and the organizing team for their support in making the event a success.
Four technical sessions were held during the day, featuring deliberations on biotechnology skill development, employability, and entrepreneurship. Industry representatives from Oil India Ltd., Assam Bio Ethanol Pvt. Ltd., Dabur India Ltd., and Patanjali Foods Ltd. shared insights on evolving manpower requirements, technological advances, and sectoral opportunities in the biotechnology landscape. Academic experts from NERIST, Rajiv Gandhi University, and Assam Agricultural University discussed strategies to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and industrial expectations through curriculum reform and practical exposure. Experts from IBSD, Manipur, ICAR–IARI, Assam, and BRDC, Meghalaya highlighted the importance of hands-on training, effective communication, and translational skills to ensure employability and industrial readiness among biotechnology graduates. Speakers from Guwahati Biotech Park, Oil India Ltd., and Pabhoi Greens Pvt. Ltd. inspired young professionals to pursue research-driven entrepreneurship and innovative bioresource-based ventures across the region.
An open forum on Industry–Academia Interaction provided a valuable opportunity for participants to engage directly with industry experts, exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and explore avenues for collaboration. The rapporteur report was presented by Dr. Debajit Mahanta, summarizing the key takeaways and recommendations from the sessions. In her concluding remarks, Dr. Suraksha S. Diwan lauded APSCS&T’s consistent efforts in fostering biotechnology education, innovation, and skill-building initiatives in Arunachal Pradesh and across the Northeast. The event concluded with a final vote of thanks by Dr. P. Lombi, Deputy Director (Technical), APSCS&T, marking the successful culmination of the day-long proceedings.
The Industry–Academia Meet 2025 reaffirmed the shared commitment of academia, industry, and government towards strengthening the biotechnology ecosystem of the Northeast. It underscored the importance of collaborative partnerships, the need to address existing skill gaps through future finishing school programmes, and the collective aspiration to promote research excellence, innovation, and entrepreneurship for the sustainable bioeconomic growth of the region.
Arunachal Pradesh Bags Top Honours at GYS Avishkar Awards 2025
The GYS Avishkar Awards 2025 Ceremony, a National-level Science Project Competition under the GETA Young Scientists (GYS) Programme, was held at Darbari Lal D.A.V. Model School, ND Block, Pitampura, New Delhi, on October 29, 2025. The event was organised by the GETA Service Trust in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh State Council for Science & Technology (APSCS&T), with the objective of identifying and promoting innovative, demonstrable ideas that can create societal impact and possess potential for market application.
The programme serves as a national platform for students from Classes VI to XII to showcase their scientific talent, nurture curiosity, and develop a culture of rational and creative scientific exploration aimed at solving local problems through innovation.
This year’s competition witnessed participation from over 1,000 students representing 25 states across India, among which 294 students from Arunachal Pradesh marked the highest number of participants from any state.
It is a matter of immense pride that Shri Jiwaiso Bellai, a Class XI student of Government Higher Secondary School, Hawai, Anjaw District, Arunachal Pradesh, was adjudged the National Winner (First Prize) for his innovative project titled “To Prevent Road Accidents in Sharp Turns.” He was felicitated with a certificate, memento, and cash award during the ceremony.
In addition to the national winner, five (5) consolation prize winners and ten (10) other innovations from Arunachal Pradesh were placed among the Top 100 finalists, underscoring the growing scientific temperament among students of the state.
The Arunachal Pradesh delegation was led by Dr. Pakngu Lombi, Deputy Director, APSCS&T, accompanied by Shri Anu Goleng, District Coordinator, Anjaw, who attended the ceremony at New Delhi.
The inauguration of the GYS Avishkar Awards 2025 Ceremony was graced by Shri Amit Rastogi, CMD, National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), Government of India, New Delhi, as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries present included Shri Murali Valveti, Chairman, GETA Service Trust, Chirala, Andhra Pradesh; Smt. Anupama Sinha, Principal, D.A.V. Model School, Delhi; Dr. Pakngu Lombi, Deputy Director, APSCS&T; Shri Suman Pandit, Innovation Lead, Atal Innovation Mission, New Delhi; Shri Shanti Narayan, CMD, Lera Technologies, Hyderabad; Shri Gyan Pandey, Principal Consultant, AMS Consulting, Lucknow; and Shri Atal Saraya, Former MD & CEO, NTPC BHEL Power Project Pvt. Ltd., Andhra Pradesh.
The Arunachal Pradesh State Council for Science & Technology (APSCS&T) expresses its sincere gratitude to all District Deputy School Education Officers (DDSEs) for their continuous motivation and support in ensuring active student participation in the GYS Avishkar Awards 2025.
This achievement reflects APSCS&T’s ongoing commitment to nurturing scientific curiosity among students and empowering the youth to become catalysts of innovation and sustainable development.
GYS Avishkar Awards 2025
Join the Avishkar Awards 2025, a National Science Projects Competition focused on Low Cost Grassroots Innovation. Open to students from Class 6-12 classes, with online video submissions. Guide teachers will be rewarded too. Submit by 27th July 2025 at www.YoungScientistIndia.org.