National Technology Day 2026: 'Vigyan–Tech' programme held; ICMR transfers three indigenous medical technologies to industry
On National Technology Day, 11 May 2026, which recalls the Pokhran nuclear tests of 1998, the 'Vigyan–Tech' programme of 14 scientific ministries was held at BRIC–NII, New Delhi, where ICMR licensed three medical technologies to industry.
Summary
National Technology Day was observed on 11 May 2026; PM Narendra Modi recalled that the nuclear tests at Pokhran on this day in 1998 showed the world India's capabilities. The national programme 'Vigyan–Tech', coordinated by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser with the Department of Biotechnology, brought together 14 scientific ministries and departments at BRIC–National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, and was inaugurated by Dr Jitendra Singh. ICMR transferred three technologies to industry under its Medical Innovations Patent Mitra initiative: a PSP94 ELISA to guide prostate biopsy decisions (ICMR-NIRWoH), a Factor VIII inhibitor point-of-care diagnostic (ICMR-NIRBID) and a single-tube multiplex RT-PCR for dengue, chikungunya and Zika (ICMR-NIV).
Key facts
- Day
- National Technology Day, 11 May; recalls Pokhran nuclear tests of 1998
- Programme
- 'Vigyan–Tech', BRIC–NII New Delhi; 14 scientific ministries/departments
- Coordinated by
- Office of the PSA with DBT; inaugurated by Dr Jitendra Singh
- ICMR transfers
- PSP94 ELISA (NIRWoH); Factor VIII inhibitor POC test (NIRBID); dengue-chikungunya-Zika RT-PCR (NIV)
- Initiative
- ICMR Medical Innovations Patent Mitra
Practice MCQs 2 questions
National Technology Day, observed on 11 May, recalls which event of 1998?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — The nuclear tests at Pokhran
PM Modi recalled on 11 May 2026 that the nuclear tests at Pokhran on this day in 1998 introduced the world to India's capabilities.
The single-tube multiplex real-time RT-PCR for dengue, chikungunya and Zika, licensed by ICMR on National Technology Day 2026, was developed at which institute?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ICMR-NIV
The multiplex RT-PCR was developed at ICMR–National Institute of Virology (NIV); NIRWoH developed the PSP94 ELISA and NIRBID the Factor VIII inhibitor test.