Mission SANKALP Launched to Scale 350+ Technologies for Livelihoods

In a major push to connect scientific innovation with grassroots development, the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India has launched Mission सह-SANKALP, a national initiative aimed at transforming livelihood systems through technology-driven solutions.

The mission was unveiled at a National Exhibition-cum-Technical Event held at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, bringing together top officials, scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, and grassroots practitioners.

Bridging the Innovation–Implementation Gap

Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood highlighted a critical challenge facing India's innovation ecosystem: translating cutting-edge research into real-world impact.

"India has a strong science and innovation base. The real challenge is ensuring that technologies are accessible, adoptable, and impactful at the community level," he said.

He pointed to initiatives such as:

• Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG)

• RuTAG Smart Village Centres (RSVC)

• Manthan platform

as key enablers of demand-driven, community-focused innovation.

350+ Ready Technologies for Immediate Deployment

A major highlight of the event was the release of a Resource Book on Science & Technology for Sustainable Livelihoods, featuring over 350 ready-to-deploy technologies developed by multiple ministries and research institutions.

The repository is designed to help:

• State governments

• Implementation agencies

• Development partners

identify and scale context-specific solutions across livelihood programmes.

Digital Platform to Expand Access

To further enhance accessibility, the PSA office launched an online repository titled "Technology for Livelihoods: Bridging Innovation and Impact."

The platform provides:

• Open access to curated technologies

• Digital pathways for adoption and scaling

• A centralised interface linking innovators and users

This marks a shift toward digitally enabled knowledge dissemination for development.

Multi-Stakeholder Push for Convergence

The event saw participation from key ministries and institutions including:

• Department of Biotechnology (DBT)

• Department of Science and Technology (DST)

• Ministry of MSME

• Ministry of Rural Development

• CSIR and ICAR

• Ministry of Panchayati Raj

Discussions focused on integrating science and technology into national livelihood programmes, with an emphasis on:

• Policy convergence

• Institutional coordination

• Cross-sector collaboration

Focus on Scaling, Sustainability and Inclusion

Three high-level panel discussions explored key challenges in livelihood transformation:

1. Designing inclusive and resilient technologies

2. Scaling innovations from pilot to national level

3. Building partnerships and community participation

Experts stressed that successful deployment depends on:

• Affordable and locally relevant solutions

• Strong institutional frameworks

• Access to financing and implementation support

100+ Technologies Showcased

The exhibition featured over 100 technologies across farm and non-farm sectors, enabling direct engagement between:

• Innovators

• Government agencies

• Industry stakeholders

• Development partners

This facilitated knowledge exchange and opened pathways for collaboration and scaling.

Mission SANKALP: A Convergence-Driven Approach

Mission सह-SANKALP, recommended by the Prime Minister's Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC), adopts a demand-oriented and convergence-based model.

Key objectives include:

• Bridging the gap between innovation and adoption

• Enabling structured deployment of technologies

• Strengthening institutional coordination

• Connecting innovators with end users

Driving Inclusive Growth Through Science

Scientific Secretary Dr Parvinder Maini emphasised that the mission aims to build a collaborative ecosystem linking science with society.

"The focus is on scalable, community-centric solutions that can enhance livelihoods across the country," she said.

A New Model for Technology-Led Development

Mission सह-SANKALP represents a shift toward integrated, technology-driven rural and livelihood development, aligning innovation with real-world needs.

By combining policy convergence, digital access, and grassroots engagement, the initiative is expected to play a key role in delivering inclusive and sustainable economic growth.