"IF YOU HAVE IDEAS, Passion, Energy, Stamina, And Perseverance To Take On Challenges, GO AHEAD AND DO IT"

What if every college, startup, and village could join India's science and technology revolution? Ajay Kumar Sood, in conversation with EFY's Vidushi, outlines the mission to make innovation a truly citizen-led movement.

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Could you explain the core role of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India?

The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) guides and oversees the science and technology policy framework of the country. It addresses issues across all areas of science and technology, with a focus on both science for policy and policy for science. The office engages with key stakeholders across academia, industry, startups, and government.

Its main objective is to identify and recommend policy measures to strengthen India’s technological capabilities and enhance technology sovereignty.

How does the Office of the PSA work?

We work for the government, but our role is distinct. We connect government, academia, industry, and startups. This four-way engagement underpins the functioning of our office. We support and coordinate across these sectors because we do not belong to any single ministry. Instead, we work with ministries wherever science and technology interventions are required.

The office maintains strong links with governments, as all PSAs are embedded within their respective national administrations. At the same time, it engages with a wide range of stakeholders beyond government. In that sense, our office operates across the full science, technology, and policy ecosystem.

What are the main arms through which the PSA's office operates, and how do they contribute to India's science and technology landscape?

The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser operates primarily through two key bodies: the Prime Minister's Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) and the Empowered Technology Group (ETG).