India’s strategic future lies in universities, innovation hubs, says IGCAR former Director

Former Director of Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, B. Venkataraman, on Thursday, emphasised that India’s strategic future will be shaped not only in national laboratories but also in universities, campuses and innovation hubs.

Speaking at a Young Researchers’ Conclave held as part of the Defence Science Conclave 2026, jointly organised by the NRI Institute of Technology and Pharmacy, Vijayawada and the Academy for Science, Technology and Communication (ASTC), Hyderabad, he drew parallels between nuclear and missile technologies and highlighted the shared challenges of materials’ performance, reliability under extreme conditions and the critical role of advanced non-destructive evaluation techniques in ensuring mission readiness.

He said scientific progress must be accompanied by effective science communication to counter misinformation and build public confidence.

Referring to the legacies of Dr. Suri Bhagavantam and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, he urged young researchers to adopt interdisciplinary approaches, treat failures as valuable data, and focus on communicating the societal impact of their work.

The event brought together eminent scientists from DRDO, senior academicians, researchers, and students, creating a platform for dialogue between experienced defence professionals and young innovators.

Former DRDO Distinguished Fellow I. V. Murali Krishna highlighted the transformative role of geospatial technology in defence, particularly in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR). He redefined GIS as “Geographic Intelligence Systems,” underscoring that geospatial intelligence lies at the core of modern defence systems.

Vice-Chairman of A.P. State Council of Higher Education S. Vijay Bhaskar Rao spoke about India’s defence budget exceeding ₹6 lakh crore, with significant allocations for capital acquisition and defence R&D, increasingly accessible to industry, startups, and academia.

He emphasised Andhra Pradesh’s strategic importance, citing key defence installations and the State’s Aerospace and Defence Policy, which aims to attract ₹1 lakh crore in investment.

Project Director, VEDA and Scientist-G, DRDO N. Kishore Nath encouraged youth to actively participate in defence research, noting that cutting-edge technologies often emerge first in defence before civilian applications.

He stressed the importance of multidisciplinary learning, continuous skill development, and readiness to adopt emerging technologies such as AI, automation, and IoT.

The two-day conclave also featured Young Scientists’ sessions and live demonstrations, including advanced rocket kit launches, making it an academically enriching and inspiring event for participants.