PIB:- Published on 19 FEB 2026
The CSIR–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR–NIIST) organised the “CSIR–NIIST Tech Connect: Lab to Market” event at the CSIR Headquarters in New Delhi on 19 February 2026. The programme marked the transfer of 11 technologies to industry partners and the signing of one Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The event was attended by senior officials including Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and Director General of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), as well as industry representatives and researchers.
This development is significant because it reflects a strategic shift in India’s public research institutions from conventional research and development (R&D) towards innovation-driven, market-oriented research. The event symbolises the strengthening of India’s “lab-to-market” ecosystem and reinforces the government’s broader goals of self-reliance, sustainability, nutrition security, and commercialization of indigenous technologies.
Why It Is in the News
This event is in the news for several key reasons:
- Large-Scale Technology Transfer: The transfer of 11 technologies in a single event highlights an accelerated pace of commercialization within CSIR laboratories.
- Shift from R&D to R&D Innovation: The emphasis on designing research based on market demand represents a structural transformation in India’s scientific institutions.
- Focus on Public Health and Sustainability: Technologies such as high-protein, low glycaemic index rice and low-sodium salt directly address national concerns like anemia, diabetes, and lifestyle diseases.
- Strengthened Industry Linkages: The programme demonstrated deeper collaboration between CSIR labs and industry, including startups and SMEs.
- NRDC’s Expanded Role: The active participation of the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) underscores renewed efforts to strengthen technology commercialization at the national level.
Key Highlights of the Event
1. Strategic Policy Direction: From R&D to R&D Innovation: N. Kalaiselvi emphasised a crucial paradigm shift—from traditional R&D, which begins with scientific curiosity, to “R&D Innovation,” where research begins with identifying market needs and societal challenges.
This shift includes:
- Designing solutions based on industry demand
- Ensuring validation and scalability
- Focusing on commercialization outcomes
- Strengthening non-governmental revenue sources
- This approach aligns with India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), where indigenous research translates into economic and industrial growth.
2. Major Technologies Transferred: The technologies transferred during the event reflect interdisciplinary innovation.
(a) High-Protein, Low Glycaemic Index Rice: One of the most impactful transfers was rice varieties enriched with: Iron, Folic acid and Vitamin B12. The rice also has enhanced protein content and a reduced glycaemic index.
Significance:
- Addresses anaemia, which remains a major public health issue in India.
- Helps manage diabetes through a lower glycaemic index.
- Retains cooking and sensory qualities, ensuring consumer acceptance.
(b) Low-Sodium Salt Technology: A low-sodium salt formulation was introduced to reduce sodium consumption significantly. An MoU was signed for collaborative research and scaling.
Importance:
- India faces a rising burden of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
- Reducing sodium intake is a global public health priority.
- The product can create a healthier alternative in the food processing sector.
(c) Instant Coffee Foam Technology: Another novel technology was foam-stabilised instant coffee capable of sustaining foam at high temperatures without milk addition. Relevance:
- Addresses consumer preferences in the beverage industry.
- Offers commercial potential in domestic and export markets.
- Demonstrates applied food engineering innovation.
(d) Sustainable and Green Technologies: Other transferred technologies include:
- Cardanol polyol-based polyurethane dispersions
- Vegan leather
- Composting bio-medium (JAIVAM)
- Osmotic dehydration processes
- Ready-to-cook vegetable mixes
- Fruit roll technologies
These innovations contribute to:
- Circular economy principles
- Waste reduction
- Green materials development
- Value addition in agri-processing
- Together, they reflect CSIR–NIIST’s interdisciplinary approach spanning biosciences, bioengineering, sustainable materials, and artificial intelligence.
Role of NRDC in Commercialization
Commodore Amit Rastogi (Retd), Chairman & Managing Director of NRDC, highlighted renewed synergy between CSIR and NRDC. The National Research Development Corporation has expanded beyond traditional licensing to include:
- Incubation infrastructure
- Technology Readiness Level (TRL) assessment (NETRA)
- Design clinics and system engineering support
- Financial assistance up to ₹1 crore
- Seed funding
- Intellectual Property facilitation
NRDC also plans to establish:
- A National Technology Translation Organization
- An AI-enabled technology exchange platform
Broader Context: India’s Innovation Ecosystem
India has traditionally demonstrated strong capabilities in basic and fundamental research, particularly within publicly funded laboratories and national scientific institutions. However, the country has historically faced challenges in translating scientific discoveries into commercially viable products and scalable technologies.
Many innovations developed in public laboratories remained underutilized due to weak industry linkages, limited funding support for scale-up and pilot production, inadequate intellectual property management frameworks, and a lack of market-oriented research planning. As a result, the gap between laboratory research and industrial application often restricted the broader economic and societal impact of scientific advancements.
The recent “Lab to Market” initiative by the CSIR–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology reflects a systemic effort to correct these long-standing gaps. It signals a shift towards structured commercialization strategies and stronger engagement with industry stakeholders.
Institutional reforms are now increasingly visible within the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research ecosystem, including efforts to strengthen external revenue generation, reduce dependence solely on government grants, and expand Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)-funded research projects.
There is also a growing emphasis on encouraging startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as partners in innovation, rather than limiting collaboration to large corporations. The establishment of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship Hubs further demonstrates a proactive approach to nurturing market-ready solutions and supporting technology-driven enterprises.
Collectively, these measures indicate a strategic transformation aimed at building a more dynamic, industry-connected, and commercialization-oriented innovation ecosystem in India.
National Significance
The event aligns with multiple national priorities:
- Nutrition Security: Protein-enriched rice and micronutrient fortification directly contribute to tackling malnutrition and anemia.
- Health Security: Low-sodium salt and low-GI rice address non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
- Sustainable Development: Green hydrogen-enabled bio-manufacturing, vegan leather, and composting technologies promote sustainability.
- Economic Growth: Commercialization enhances royalty income, supports startups, and creates employment opportunities.
- Atmanirbhar Bharat: Indigenous technologies reduce import dependence and strengthen domestic manufacturing.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the progress, several challenges remain:
- Scaling Up Production: Lab-scale technologies must withstand industrial-level scalability.
- Regulatory Approvals: Food and health-related products require strict regulatory clearance.
- Market Acceptance: Consumer awareness and pricing competitiveness are crucial.
- Sustained Industry Partnerships: Long-term engagement is essential for continuous innovation.
However, the structured support from CSIR and NRDC increases the likelihood of successful commercialization.
Analytical Assessment
The “Lab to Market” event organised by the CSIR–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology represents far more than a routine or ceremonial technology transfer; it reflects a deeper cultural and structural transformation within India’s public research ecosystem. Traditionally, publicly funded laboratories focused primarily on knowledge generation and academic output.
However, this event signals a decisive shift towards measurable economic outcomes, translational research, and strong industry integration. The emphasis is now on ensuring that laboratory discoveries are validated, scaled, commercialised, and aligned with real market needs. The creation of innovation and entrepreneurship hubs, along with efforts to diversify revenue beyond government grants, further illustrates this strategic repositioning.
By describing the programme as a “festival of technology transfers,” Director Dr. C. Anandharamakrishnan highlighted the institute’s growing confidence in moving from laboratory-centric science to industry-facing innovation, thereby strengthening the role of research institutions as engines of economic growth and societal impact.
