Participation in ESTIC 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
Indore, November 5, 2025: The Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2025), held during November 3 – 5, 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event is conceptualized as a successor to the Indian Science Congress and served as a national platform for showcasing frontier technologies aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. More details about the event are available at https://estic.dst.gov.in/. It is organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in association with other twelve ministries/ departments including the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). A ten-member Apex Evaluation Committee comprising representatives from various ministries/ departments, entrepreneur associations and investor networks reviewed 137 nominations received from various ministries and departments. From these, thirty high-impact technologies with Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) above eight were shortlisted for national exhibition. Notably, three innovations originated from DAE-supported startups— two incubated at AIC RRCAT PI-HUB FOUNDATION (AIC π-Hub) and one from AIC IPR PLASMATECH INNOVATION FOUNDATION.
It was a proud moment for AIC π-Hub that its two deep-tech startups: (1) VFuse 4 Metal Pvt. Ltd. Bhopal and (2) RJ Instruments Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai —were selected among the top 30 technologies in India. Both have been mentored and co-developed with scientific and technological support from RRCAT. VFuse 4 Metal Pvt. Ltd., associated with RRCAT since February 2023 and working in the domain of Laser Additive Manufacturing using Directed Energy Deposition Technology, received a special distinction when its Founder and CEO, Mr. Manoj Jain, was selected as one of eleven startup founders invited for an exclusive interaction with Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji. Although the interaction could not take place due to the Prime Minister’s tight schedule, the recognition itself underscored the national importance of the technology. RJ Instruments Pvt. Ltd., associated with RRCAT since February 2025 and developing a single-stage 30K-class cryocooler with a helium compressor, also exemplified the strong linkage between DAE’s scientific expertise and industry-ready innovation.
DAE’s leadership marked a strong presence at ESTIC 2025. Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy, chairing the session on “Energy, Environment, and Climate”. A delegation representing DAE along with senior officials from NPCIL, RRCAT, IPR, and other constituent units. Their participation reinforced DAE’s commitment to advancing high-TRL innovation.
The DAE startup pavilion attracted visits from officials of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Principal Scientific Adviser’s Office, and senior representatives from ISRO, DRDO, several Vice Chancellors, and policymakers from across the country. Hon’ble Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Cabinet Minister, also visited the pavilion, where Dr. C. P. Paul and the founders of VFuse 4 Metal briefed him on the deep-tech innovations emerging from DAE incubators. The Minister appreciated the scientific depth and national relevance of these technologies and commended the collaborative efforts undertaken with RRCAT.
Overall, the participation of RRCAT and its incubated startups at ESTIC 2025 reflects the strong synergy between DAE laboratories and the AIC π-Hub incubation framework in driving high-TRL, lab-to-market transformation. This engagement underscores RRCAT’s growing influence in India’s deep-tech landscape and reinforces DAE’s pivotal role in shaping the nation’s technological future, fully aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Collectively, these efforts continue to empower scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs to build India’s deep-tech future.
