Latest news with #AbhayKarandikar
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Govt to operationalise Rs 1-trillion innovation fund in next 3 months
The Rs 1-trillion Research Development and Innovation Fund (ANRM), announced in the July Budget for FY25—with Rs 20,000 crore already allocated—will be operationalised in the next two to three months, a top official said. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had, on February 1, allocated Rs 20,000 crore to the Department of Science and Technology (DST) as a corpus to promote private sector–driven innovation. The Rs 1-trillion fund was first announced in the July 2023 Budget. While the ANRM fund primarily supports academic research, universities, and public research labs, the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) fund under it will be dedicated exclusively to private sector R&D. The DST plans to set up a Deep Tech Fund under this scheme, aimed at building strategic autonomy in critical sectors such as clean energy, electric vehicles (EVs), and advanced materials. 'This fund is not just for start-ups—it is also for corporates and industries, provided they undertake cutting-edge R&D projects. Once operational, the industry is expected to deliver innovative products and help India achieve strategic autonomy in the mobility transition,' said Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST, at the Battery Summit organised by World Resources Institute (WRI) India on Wednesday. DST's budget has grown from ₹2,777 crore in 2014 to ₹28,509 crore in FY26, and gross expenditure on R&D has risen from ₹60,196 crore to ₹1,27,380 crore over the same period. Investment in battery R&D is crucial, as it drives innovation in energy storage, improving battery performance, safety, and cost-efficiency. Research is essential for meeting rising energy demands, transitioning to sustainable transportation, and achieving energy independence. India currently lacks significant reserves of key battery materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, making the country reliant on imports and exposing it to price volatility and geopolitical risks. Meanwhile, the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), a government body, will set up an advanced battery lab in the next few months as part of its expansion plan, an ARAI official said. However, he expressed scepticism about its capacity to meet India's full testing needs. ARAI is reportedly planning to invest Rs 100 crore to develop advanced testing labs and infrastructure across the country in 2025. Several of its facilities at the new Mobility Research Centre in Takwe are in the final stages of completion and are expected to be operational this year. ARAI established its first Centre of Excellence for Green Mobility in Chakan, Pune, in 2020. At the Battery Summit, WRI India released a report titled Development of Data Frameworks for Battery Circularity in India, which stressed the urgent need for a unified data framework to improve transparency and collaboration across the battery ecosystem. A battery data framework facilitates the collection and assessment of key data across the battery life cycle using its digital record. This enables seamless, secure, and transparent data exchange among multiple stakeholders in the EV ecosystem. Such a framework benefits supply-chain stakeholders by providing access to data on due diligence, carbon footprint, and material composition. This enables battery manufacturers and automotive OEMs to compare suppliers, enhance sourcing decisions, and mitigate risks associated with raw material sourcing, processing, and trading. Similarly, access to reliable and comparable data on a battery's carbon footprint can help consumers make informed purchase decisions. Further, information on battery composition and state of health (SoH) is particularly valuable in ensuring efficient battery recycling and reuse.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Govt sets up carbon capture testbeds in cement industry under PPP model
New Delhi: The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has launched five Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) testbeds in the cement sector under a first-of-its-kind national research and innovation cluster aimed at reducing industrial carbon emissions . The initiative is part of India's strategy to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and transition to a carbon-neutral economy by 2070. The five CCU testbeds will operate under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and are designed to support translational R&D in collaboration with premier academic and industrial partners. These projects focus on developing and deploying integrated carbon dioxide capture and utilisation units in operational cement plants. The CCU initiative, led by the Energy and Sustainable Technology (CEST) Division of DST, was launched through a special call for academia-industry consortia proposals. The objective was to deploy CCU technologies that can capture CO₂ emissions from cement production and convert them into value-added products like synthetic fuels, soda ash, urea, food-grade CO₂, or concrete aggregates. Concrete plays a significant role in India's economy, and the cement industry is one of the hard-to-abate sectors. The DST noted that reducing the emission intensity of cement manufacturing is essential for aligning with India's national decarbonisation commitments. On the occasion, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Atomic Energy, Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh handed over grants to the testbed teams. Secretary, DST Prof. Abhay Karandikar was also present. Each of the five testbeds is focused on a different technological aspect such as catalysis and vacuum-based gas separation, and brings together leading cement manufacturers and research institutions. According to DST, the outcomes of these pilot projects are expected to offer proof-of-concept for CCU deployment in the cement industry and could serve as a model for scaling up and commercialisation across other sectors. The testbeds are also expected to advance the development of catalysts, materials, electrolyser technologies, reactors, and electronics aimed at lowering the cost of green cement. Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT); Dr. Ajai Choudhary, Co-founder, HCL; Dr. Rajesh Pathak, Secretary, Technology Development Board (TDB); Dr. Anita Gupta, Head, CEST, DST; and Dr. Neelima Alam, Associate Head, DST were present at the event held at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. DST stated that the initiative is expected to support India's broader decarbonisation pathways in hard-to-abate sectors including cement, steel, power, oil and gas, and chemicals.
Hans India
14-05-2025
- Science
- Hans India
City research institute develops a new programme redefining maths education
Bengaluru: In a move to make mathematics learning more engaging and accessible, Prayoga Institute of Education Research, a DSIR-recognised institution in Bengaluru, has launched Dhatu, a new initiative to transform mathematics learning. Using a technology-enabled platform, Dhatu aims to make math less intimidating and more accessible for students. Offered free of cost, the program will pilot in 2025–26 and fully roll out by 2027, with a focus on reaching socially and economically disadvantaged schools and supporting quality math education across diverse communities. Prayoga has collaborated with Prof. Jeffrey Ullman, Professor of Computer Science (Emeritus), Stanford University, Turing Awardee 2021, to develop comprehensive mathematics learning modules for students in grades 9–12, based on the NCERT curriculum. This one-of-a-kind platform allows a substantial amount of flexibility for students and teachers to customize their assessments from the three difficulty levels and select from an expansive question bank developed by the maths team at Prayoga. Designed to support formative assessments and competitive exams like the JEE, Dhatu uses a multiple-choice format with contextual hints to guide students toward the correct answer. The Prayoga team has mapped both correct and common incorrect responses, identifying key points where students are likely to make mistakes. 'It's heartening to see Prayoga driving innovation in education research and creating a model for STEM learning nationwide. In a country where math was once our strength, over 80% of high school students now experience anxiety around it. With technology shaping our future, math is more critical than ever.' said Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Science and Technology, applauding the initiative. 'By next month, we will have the privilege of reaching over 11,000 students, a meaningful step that reflects how research, when applied with intent, can bring about real change.' said Vallish Herur, Managing Trustee, Prayoga, describing the intent behind the initiative. This notable initiative was launched through an event at the Prayoga campus in the presence of leading figures from the academic world, such as Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Government of India, Department of Science and Technology, who graced the occasion as the chief guest. Prof. Jeffrey D. Ullman, Emeritus from Stanford University and Turing Awardee 2021, and Dr. Ramana Yerrineni, Co-founder of Gradiance Corporation, also joined online to share their insights. Prominent figures such as D N Prahlad, Founder of Surya Software Systems Private Limited, Prof. Y Narahari, Professor at Indian Institute of Science and Dr. Tejaswini Ananth Kumar, Chairperson of IIEST, shared their vision for revolutionising educational concepts. 'The beauty of mathematics as a language is rarely taught, leading to fear and disengagement among students. This is largely a result of outdated teaching methods. Technology offers a powerful solution to reach every child and provide the support they need to truly understand and enjoy learning math.' said D N Prahlad, Founder of Surya Software Systems Private Limited, sharing the idea behind the genesis of Dhatu. Unlike traditional assessment models that often focus on right or wrong answers without explanations and hints, Dhatu uses the Root Question Method to guide students through a logical progression of thought. Originally developed to assist university-level learners in computer science to understand algorithms, the Root Question Method has proven effective in breaking down complex subjects into digestible parts. Each question builds on a central 'root' idea, providing choice explanation and feedback, helping learners connect the dots and understand the why behind the concepts. This initiative shows Prayoga's commitment to inclusive and empowering education, encouraging students nationwide to learn confidently and clearly. Prayoga is now welcoming schools to join the Dhatu program and be part of this transformative learning initiative.
