The Ministry of Science and Technology has announced the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC-2026), a three-day national gathering designed to connect researchers, startups, industry leaders and policymakers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the event, which will feature three Nobel Prize winners among its speakers. The conclave aims to break down barriers between different parts of India’s science ecosystem and help innovations reach the market faster.
What is happening and when
ESTIC-2026 will take place from 27 to 29 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The Prime Minister will open the conclave on 27 October. The event is being organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) with support from 13 government ministries.
Three Nobel Laureates will participate: Prof. Joachim Frank, Sir Richard J. Roberts and Prof. Kostya Novoselov. Beyond them, several other international award-winning scientists and thought leaders will speak.
The conclave will include plenary talks, 12 technical sessions focused on specific fields, panel discussions, presentations from startups, exhibitions, and business-to-business meetings. A public exhibition showcasing India’s startup and deep-tech sector will open from the second day.
The 12 thematic areas cover advanced manufacturing, energy technologies, synthetic biology, ocean and maritime technologies, quantum communication, semiconductors, agricultural technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced healthcare, immersive technologies and space science.
Registration closes on 15 September 2026.
Why this matters
India now has over 2.3 lakh startups, with more than half coming from small towns rather than major cities. These emerging entrepreneurs need better connections to experts, funding sources, business leaders and markets to grow. The conclave provides a platform for this networking. The government also emphasises that innovation needs input from management and communication specialists alongside scientists, and that young people need clearer information about startup registration, patents and other procedures to turn ideas into reality.