Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan attended the 15th Graduation Ceremony of the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on 9 July 2026, alongside Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, and Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh.

Addressing the gathering of eminent scientists, faculty, students and parents, Pradhan described NISER as a reflection of India's scientific aspirations in action. He recalled that the institute's permanent campus was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016 and noted its rapid emergence as a premier centre for science education and research.

Context

NISER was established in 2007 by the Department of Atomic Energy as an institute of national importance for basic sciences, modelled on the integrated five-year BS-MS programme. Its Bhubaneswar campus, inaugurated by PM Modi in 2016, has since grown into one of India's foremost destinations for foundational science. The graduation ceremony marked the institute's 15th convocation, a milestone that underscored the maturing of its academic pipeline.

Pradhan highlighted the ambition for NISER to evolve into a 'globally-renowned multidisciplinary research institute that drives innovation, nurtures scientific excellence and contributes solutions for both India and the world.' The aspiration positions NISER alongside elite international science institutions rather than merely domestic peers.

Policy Backdrop

NISER's growth sits within a deliberate policy architecture. The National Education Policy 2020 explicitly promotes multidisciplinary education and research across higher education, providing a framework that institutions like NISER are expected to anchor. India has simultaneously expanded its network of dedicated science institutes — including the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) — to strengthen basic research and build a deeper scientific talent pool.

Pradhan also pointed to India's Global Innovation Index standing, stating that the country's journey toward a knowledge-based society and improved ranking on the index 'will be shaped by institutions like NISER.' India has steadily climbed the index in recent years, and policymakers have identified elite research institutions as a key lever for further gains.

Women in STEM and the Talent Ecosystem

A notable data point cited by the minister was the rising participation of women in STEM fields, which he said now accounts for 43% of STEM enrolments nationally. Pradhan described this as 'the growing strength of India's scientific ecosystem and the expanding talent pool that will power this transformation.' The figure, if borne out by official survey data, would represent a significant shift in a domain historically skewed toward male participation.

The presence of Union MoS Jitendra Singh — who oversees the Department of Science and Technology — alongside the Education Minister signals coordinated inter-ministerial attention to science institution-building, a pattern consistent with the government's push to align education, research and innovation policy under a common strategic direction.

What's Next

The immediate marker to watch is whether NISER receives a formal upgrade in its mandate or additional funding to pursue its multidisciplinary ambitions, potentially through the National Research Foundation framework that was legislated in 2023 to channel greater resources into research institutions. The next release of the All India Survey on Higher Education will also be a key data point to verify the women-in-STEM enrolment trend Pradhan cited. Globally, NISER's aspiration to benchmark itself against top-tier international research universities will depend on faculty recruitment, research output and international collaboration agreements in the years ahead.