Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC)
Nine missions of PM-STIAC facilitate the Principal Scientific Adviser’s (PSA’s) Office to assess the status in specific science and technology domains, comprehend challenges in hand, formulate specific interventions, develop a futuristic roadmap and advise the Prime Minister accordingly.
- PSA’s Office also oversees the implementation of such interventions by concerned S&T Departments and Agencies and other Government Ministries.
- The other important terms of reference of the Council are to formulate, converge, collaborate, co-ordinate and implement multi-stakeholder policy initiatives, mechanisms, reforms and programmes aimed at:
- Synergizing S&T covering fundamental to applied research in collaboration with multiple stake holders both in central and state governments
- Enabling future preparedness in emerging domains of science and technology
- Formulating and coordinating major inter-ministerial S&T missions
- Providing an enabling ecosystem for technology led innovations and techno-entrepreneurship
- Driving innovation and technology delivery towards solving socio-economic challenges for sustainable growth
- Fostering effective public-private linkages for driving research and innovation
- Developing innovation clusters with multiple stakeholders including academia, industry and government
- Skilling in current and futuristic technologies.
- India has had a Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) since 1999.
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was the first PSA from 1999—2001.
- Dr. R. Chidambaram succeeded Dr. Kalam and was the PSA from 2001-2018.
- Professor K. Vijay Raghavan succeeded Dr. Chidambaram on April 3, 2018 and is the current PSA.
Nine National Missions of the PM-STIAC
PM-STIAC MISSION 1: Natural Language Translation
- Aims to remove the barrier that the requirement of high-level of facility in English poses today using a combination of machine and human translation, the mission will eventually enable access to teaching and research material bilingually i.e. in English and one’s native Indian language.
PM-STIAC MISSION 2: Quantum Frontier
- Building excellence in the quantum frontier through this mission will also be essential for national security and in the development of quantum computers, quantum chemistry, quantum communication, new materials, quantum sensors and quantum cryptography.
PM-STIAC MISSION 3: Artificial Intelligence
- The Artificial Intelligence (AI) mission will focus on efforts that will benefit India in addressing societal needs in areas such as healthcare, education, agriculture, smart cities and infrastructure, including smart mobility and transportation.
PM-STIAC MISSION 4: National Biodiversity Mission
- This mission will include a comprehensive documentation of India’s biodiversity with the potential for cataloguing and mapping all lifeforms in India including associated cultural and traditional practices.
- It aims at establishment of a vibrant bio- diversity based economy on a solid foundation of reliable information; engagement with the public; enhanced options for agricultural production and livelihood security and the general well-being of society.
PM-STIAC MISSION 5: Electric Vehicles
- This mission is critical for India to reduce fossil fuel consumption and mitigate emissions. Electric Vehicles (EVs) are a major component of India’s mobility plans.
PM-STIAC MISSION 6: BioScience for Human Health
- The primary goal of the mission is to construct comprehensive reference maps of genomes and to understand the dynamics of how exposure to different environments have impact on our bodies.
- The mission will focus on the genomic study of populations of humans to identify and unravel the genetic basis and prevalence of rare and inherited diseases.
PM-STIAC MISSION 7: Waste to Wealth
- The mission will assist and augment the Swachh Bharat and Smart Cities project by leveraging science, technology and innovation to create circular economic models that are financially viable for waste management to streamline waste handling in India.
PM-STIAC MISSION 8: Deep Ocean Exploration
- The purpose is to scientifically explore the deep oceans towards improving our understanding of the blue frontier.
- The information from this mission will address issues arising from long term changes in the ocean due to climate change.
PM-STIAC MISSION 9: ‘Accelerating Growth of New India’s innovations’ (AGNIi)
- This mission helps commercialise Indian technological innovation.
Swachhta Saarthi Fellowship
Context: The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India under its “Waste to Wealth” Mission launched the “Swachhta Saarthi Fellowship” (SAF) to recognize students, community workers/self-help groups, and municipal/sanitary workers who are engaged in tackling the enormous challenge of waste management.
- Swachhta Saarthi Fellowship is an initiative to empower young innovators who are engaged in community work of waste management/awareness campaigns/waste surveys/studies, etc. as Swachhta Saarthis and implement actions to reduce waste for a greener planet.
- The Waste to Wealth Mission is one of the nine national missions of the PM-STIAC.