PM Modi inaugurates ESTIC 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, ISRO to unveil next-gen rocket
Synopsis
India's biggest science and innovation summit in years kicked off on 27 October with PM Modi at the helm. ISRO's reveal of a proposed 30,000-kg-payload next-gen rocket — alongside Chandrayaan-4 and Chandrayaan-5 moon mission plans — makes ESTIC 2026 far more than a policy conference; it is a public statement of where India's science ambitions are headed before 2047.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi inaugurated ESTIC 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on 27 October 2026 .
The three-day conclave runs from 27 to 29 October and covers 12 thematic areas including AI, biotechnology, and climate science.
ISRO will display a model of a proposed next-generation heavy-lift launch vehicle capable of carrying over 30,000 kg to low Earth orbit.
Chandrayaan-4 and Chandrayaan-5 missions aimed at sending Indian astronauts to the Moon will also be showcased.
Around 150 deep-tech startups are participating, alongside a new Global Connect Networking Event with over 300 invited global participants .
The conclave is organised by CSIR in support of the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, 27 October 2026 inaugurated the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, launching a three-day national summit aimed at shaping India's science and technology priorities in the run-up to Viksit Bharat 2047. The conclave, running from 27 to 29 October, brings together leading scientists, researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, deep-tech startups, and international experts under one roof.
Key Thematic Areas
Deliberations at ESTIC 2026 span 12 thematic areas, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, advanced materials, manufacturing, healthcare, energy, climate science, and ocean research. Discussions are centred on setting national research priorities, reinforcing India's scientific capabilities, and converting laboratory breakthroughs into practical, real-world applications — a recurring challenge for the country's innovation ecosystem.
ISRO Showcase and Space Ambitions
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is among the headline exhibitors at the conclave. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan revealed at a curtain-raiser event that the space agency will display a model of a proposed next-generation heavy-lift launch vehicle capable of placing payloads weighing over 30,000 kg to low Earth orbit. The exhibition will also feature the upcoming Chandrayaan-4 and Chandrayaan-5 missions, both aimed at eventually sending Indian astronauts to the Moon — a significant escalation of India's human spaceflight ambitions.
Deep-Tech Startups and Global Networking
A large-scale technology and innovation exhibition runs alongside the main conclave, with around 150 deep-tech startups participating through dedicated stalls to demonstrate cutting-edge innovations across a wide range of sectors. A new initiative called the Global Connect Networking Event will convene more than 300 invited participants from academia, research institutions, and industry in India and abroad. The platform is designed to explore international research partnerships, industry-academia collaboration, and pathways for translating innovations from laboratories to markets.
Organisers and Broader Context
ESTIC 2026 is organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the guidance of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. The conclave is explicitly positioned as a strategic platform in support of the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision — the government's long-term goal of transforming India into a developed nation by the centenary of independence. Notably, this is the first edition of the conclave to feature a dedicated global networking event, signalling a sharper push toward international scientific collaboration. All eyes will now be on whether the policy commitments and research priorities articulated over the three days translate into funded programmes and measurable outcomes.
Point of View
But previous such summits have often produced eloquent communiqués and underwhelming follow-through. The ISRO showcase is the genuine headline here: a next-gen heavy-lift vehicle and crewed lunar missions are not just engineering milestones but geopolitical signals directed at China and the US. Whether the 150 deep-tech startups on the exhibition floor eventually see sustained public procurement and patient capital — rather than one-day photo opportunities — will be the real measure of whether ESTIC 2026 moved anything.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave 2026?
ESTIC 2026 is a three-day national science and innovation summit held from 27 to 29 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Organised by CSIR under the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, it brings together scientists, policymakers, startups, and international experts to set India's science and technology priorities in support of the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
What will ISRO showcase at ESTIC 2026?
ISRO will exhibit a model of a proposed next-generation heavy-lift launch vehicle designed to carry payloads exceeding 30,000 kg to low Earth orbit, as announced by ISRO Chairman V Narayanan at a curtain-raiser event. The agency will also showcase the Chandrayaan-4 and Chandrayaan-5 missions, which are aimed at eventually landing Indian astronauts on the Moon.
How many startups are participating in ESTIC 2026?
Around 150 deep-tech startups are participating through dedicated exhibition stalls, demonstrating innovations across multiple sectors. A new Global Connect Networking Event will also convene more than 300 invited participants from academia and industry in India and abroad.
What are the 12 thematic areas covered at the conclave?
The 12 thematic areas include artificial intelligence, biotechnology, advanced materials, manufacturing, healthcare, energy, climate science, and ocean research, among others. Discussions aim to set national research priorities and identify pathways for converting scientific breakthroughs into practical applications.
Who organises ESTIC 2026 and what is its broader goal?
ESTIC 2026 is organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the guidance of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. Its broader goal is to strengthen India's science, technology, and innovation ecosystem in alignment with the Viksit Bharat 2047 development vision.
