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ESTIC 2026 Science Conclave Set for Bharat Mandapam in October — UPSC Current Affairs 2026

Summits & Conferences11 Sept 2026

ESTIC 2026 Science Conclave Set for Bharat Mandapam in October

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1
The second Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2026) will be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from 27 to 29 October 2026.
2
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the three-day conclave, coordinated by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research with 13 ministries taking part.
3
The theme is 'Creative Minds, Catalyzing Science, Empowering Technologies', spanning 12 emerging-technology fields including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum communication, space technology and agri-tech.
4
Three Nobel Laureates - Joachim Frank, Sir Richard J. Roberts and Kostya Novoselov - are to attend, with the event guided by Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood.
5
Young researchers had until 15 September 2026 to submit poster abstracts, with results due by 25 September 2026.

●Event: 2nd Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2026).
●Venue and dates: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, 27-29 October 2026, as stated by official government and CSIR announcements.
●A note of caution for revision: the India Trade Promotion Organisation event portal lists 26-28 October 2026; the official CSIR and government dates are 27-29 October.
●Inauguration: Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
●Coordinated by: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), with participation from 13 ministries.
●Theme: 'Creative Minds, Catalyzing Science, Empowering Technologies'.
●Coverage: 12 emerging-technology fields, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum communication, space technology and agri-tech.
●Nobel Laureates attending: Prof. Joachim Frank, Sir Richard J. Roberts and Prof. Kostya Novoselov, alongside other international award-winning scientists.
●Guidance: Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood.
●Abstract submission for young researchers closed 15 September 2026; results by 25 September 2026.
●Stated emphasis: moving scientific research towards market-ready businesses, against an ecosystem of about 2.3 lakh startups, 50-60% of which are said to come from small towns.

Edition

2nd ESTIC

Dates and venue

27-29 October 2026, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi

Ministries participating

Emerging-technology fields covered

Nobel Laureates attending

Abstract deadline / results

15 September 2026 / 25 September 2026

Startups in India cited

About 2.3 lakh, with 50-60% from small towns

First edition

ESTIC 2025, 3-5 November 2025, Bharat Mandapam, theme 'Imagine, Innovate, Inspire for Viksit Bharat 2047'

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Coordinating body for ESTIC 2026; India's largest publicly funded multidisciplinary research and development organisation, running a national network of laboratories

Head: Director General, CSIRHQ: Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi

Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India

Provides scientific policy guidance across ministries; ESTIC 2026 is organised under its guidance

Head: Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific AdviserHQ: New Delhi

●Prof. Joachim Frank - Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2017, for cryo-electron microscopy.
●Sir Richard J. Roberts - Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1993, for the discovery of split genes.
●Prof. Kostya Novoselov - Nobel Prize in Physics 2010, for experiments on graphene.

Exam Relevance

upsc

GS Paper III > Science and technology - developments and applications, indigenisation of technology

ssc

General Awareness > Current Affairs - summits and conferences, Nobel Laureates

Expected Questions

★Which organisation coordinates ESTIC, and where was the first edition held?
★Name the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India under whose guidance ESTIC 2026 is organised.

Key Terms

ESTIC

Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave - India's flagship annual science, technology and innovation platform

Principal Scientific Adviser

The government's apex science policy adviser, currently Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood

Bharat Mandapam

Convention venue at the Pragati Maidan complex, New Delhi, used for major national and international events

priority_highMust Remember

•ESTIC 2026: 2nd edition, 27-29 October 2026, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi; coordinated by CSIR with 13 ministries.
•Theme: 'Creative Minds, Catalyzing Science, Empowering Technologies'; 12 emerging-technology fields.
•ESTIC 2025, the first edition, ran 3-5 November 2025 at the same venue, themed 'Imagine, Innovate, Inspire for Viksit Bharat 2047'.
•Three Nobel Laureates attending: Joachim Frank, Richard J. Roberts and Kostya Novoselov.

tips_and_updatesExam Tips

•Link each Nobel Laureate to their field - cryo-EM, split genes, graphene - because that pairing is what a question will test, not the guest list itself.

Question 1 of 3Score: 0/0

Factual

Which organisation is coordinating the second Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2026)?

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Current Affairs Pulse

ESTIC 2026 Science Conclave Set for Bharat Mandapam in October

Key Points

Quick Facts

Key Data & Numbers

Important Bodies

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India

Remember This

Exam Spotlight

Exam Relevance

Expected Questions

Key Terms

priority_highMust Remember

tips_and_updatesExam Tips

Practice Quiz

Which organisation is coordinating the second Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2026)?

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