The 10th edition of India International Science Festival 2024 (IISF 2024), held at IIT Guwahati from 30th November to 3rd December 2024, witnessed inspiring display of innovation, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing, with participants from all walks of life coming together to explore the transformative power of science.
A key highlight of the event was that more than 50% of all participants in all events at IISF 2024 were from the North East. The total footfall for IISF 2024 over four days is estimated around 45,000, that averages to more than 10,000 attendees per day.
IISF 2024 featured 25 distinct events with more than 150 technical sessions and panel discussions organized over three days. The huge breadth of the events could be ascertained from the presence of more than 400 resource persons and 7,000+ registered delegates who attended the technical sessions. Most of the visitors were engaged in interactions at the various exhibition halls.
Keshab Mahanta, Minister for Science, Technology and Climate Change, Assam, jloined the valedictory event as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries included Dr. (Mrs.) N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR; Dr. C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director, CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram; Prof. Subhendu Sekhar Bag, Associate Dean, and IIT-G’s single point of contact for IISF 2024, Dr. V.M. Tiwari, Director, CSIR-NEIST, and Shri P.A. Vivekenenda Pai, Secretary General, Vijnana Bharati, along with several distinguished figures from India’s science and technology ecosystem.
Speaking at the event, Mahanta, said, “IISF 2024 has truly been a remarkable celebration of India’s scientific achievements, underscoring the pivotal role of science and technology in shaping our future. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as all the partners who have supported this initiative. Assam is honoured to host such an important event, and we are committed to continuing our efforts to advance science and technology in the region. As we look ahead, we remain focused on leveraging science and innovation to build a more sustainable and self-reliant future for India.”
During her Presidential address, Dr. (Mrs.) N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR, said, “The 10th IISF is a landmark in celebrating Indian science and innovation. My gratitude to Dr. Jitendra Singh ji, Hon’ble Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Govt. of India; Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam, and IIT Guwahati for their support, and to the 400 IIT Guwahati student volunteers whose dedication made this event a success.”
Dr. Kalaiselvi added, “CSIR is proud to contribute to India’s scientific progress and will ensure the ‘Guwahati Declaration’ drives impactful initiatives. We are committed to nurturing innovative ideas from the student hackathon and tackling key challenges through mission-driven programs. Together, we are committed to strengthen IISF as a platform for inspiration and collaboration, advancing India’s global scientific leadership.”
Organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the aegis of Ministry of Science and Technology, and Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, with the nodal institute of the event being CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, the four-day festival featured several high-profile sessions.
These included the Science Institutional Leaders Meet and roundtable discussions on critical topics such as sustainability, education, manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture, solidifying India’s position in the global S&T arena. These discussions brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and academicians to chart a roadmap for leveraging innovation to achieve self-reliance and global competitiveness.
A key agenda of IISF 2024 was to inspire young minds to embrace science and technology and guide them as pioneers in India’s growth story. The Face-to-Face with New Frontiers in S&T sessions gave school students an unparalleled opportunity to interact and learn from renowned Indian scientists, including Dr. S. Somanath, ISRO Chairperson, and Prof. Tessy Thomas, Former Director General of Aeronautical Systems.
Additionally, sessions such as Science through Games & Adventure – Science Safari, Students Science & Technology Village – The New Nalanda, Ideas for Viksit Bharat – S&T Hackathon, and The Gurukula – Aspiring Educators and Teachers Workshop provided school students and teachers with opportunities to explore innovative learning methods, engage in hands-on activities, and deepen their understanding of the transformative potential of science and technology.
Speaking during the event, Dr. V.M. Tiwari, Director, CSIR-NEIST, said, “IISF 2024 exemplifies the transformative power of science to connect, inspire, and innovate. By blending tradition with modernity, it has highlighted the immense potential of inclusive innovation, particularly for Northeast India. Through collaborative efforts, IISF has demonstrated how science can shape a sustainable future. Let us build on this momentum to ensure science continues to serve humanity and inspire generations.”
Prof. Subhendu Sekhar Bag, Associate Dean, and IIT-G’s SPOC for IISF 2024, said, “CSIR’s mission aligns perfectly with IIT Guwahati’s vision of fostering science and technology while inspiring the next generation. IISF 2024 showcased the transformative role of science in society, uniting young minds and emphasizing their responsibility as future stewards of our world. I deeply appreciate everyone who contributed to the success of this event—their efforts shine as an inspiration for generations to come. Let us continue to embrace science and innovation as the cornerstones of a brighter and more sustainable future.”
The S&T Hackathon saw more than 80 problem statements being received from different Ministries of the Government of India. Out of more than 280 registrations, 100 teams were selected for the final round at IISF 2024 and featured a non-stop engagement lasting continuously over 24 hours. For the first time in the history of IISF, 18 teams were awarded and shall be forwarded to the corresponding Department of the Government of India for further action including implementation, internships, project positions, etc., with a year-long follow-up
The Young Scientist Conclave featured Young Scientist Awardees, including the Vigyan Yuva SSB Awardees, as resource persons. With more than 1,40,800 recognized startups, India hosts the 3rd largest startup ecosystem in the world. Mission Start-up brought together more than 200 entrepreneurs, investors, experts and other stakeholders from the start-up ecosystem and involved a Fire-side Talk on the first evening followed by success stories from Bharat, Pitch Sessions and Investors Meet.
