ESTIC 2026: What is planned, who is expected, what is not yet known

What is planned: a three-day conclave from October 27 to 29 at Bharat Mandapam, with an exhibition and 12 thematic areas.

Who is expected: scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, about 150 deep-tech startups and three Nobel laureates.

What is not yet known: what the Prime Minister announces at the inauguration, as the reports were published earlier.

What is unclear: whether a formal roadmap will be issued, though the science minister has asked for one.

Background: the first edition drew 13 ministries and more than 5,000 delegates.

The three-day conclave runs from October 27 to 29, according to the Press Information Bureau.

The conclave is organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research under the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, according to the reports.

Its theme is Creative Minds, Catalyzing Science, Empowering Technologies, according to the PIB release.

The event aims to strengthen India’s science, technology and innovation ecosystem in support of the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, according to the reports.

Scientists, researchers, academicians, policymakers, industry leaders, startups and international experts are expected to attend, according to the reports.

A technology and innovation exhibition will show indigenous achievements, according to IANS.

About 150 deep-tech startups will participate through dedicated stalls, according to the reports.

Deliberations will cover 12 thematic areas, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, energy, climate science and ocean research, according to the reports.

The faculty will include three Nobel laureates, Joachim Frank, Sir Richard J Roberts and Kostya Novoselov, according to a statement by Union Minister Jitendra Singh in the PIB release.

The first edition drew 13 ministries, leading institutions, industry partners and more than 5,000 delegates, according to the Principal Scientific Adviser as quoted in the reports.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh has asked the organisers for a roadmap with short-term and long-term milestones, according to a PIB-linked report. The reports reviewed do not say whether a formal roadmap will be issued.

Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi (file image), Wikimedia Commons, GODL-India