Vigyanika: Science Literature Festival, India International Science Festival 2025

Panchkula, Haryana, 8–9 December 2025

CSIR–National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR–NIScPR), New Delhi in association with Vijnana Bharti (VIBHA), Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune and Panjab University, Chandigarh successfully organised Vigyanika: Science Literature Festival 2025 during 8–9 December 2025 as an integral part of the India International Science Festival (IISF), 2025. The two-day festival celebrated the convergence of science, literature, language, and creative communication, bringing together leading science communicators, scientists, editors, scholars, and science poets from across the country. The event aimed to strengthen the culture of scientific temper through multilingual and culturally rooted forms of science communication.

Vigyanika: India International Science Festival (IISF) 2024

The Vigyanika- Science Literature Festival is one of the major events of IISF and celebrates science communication. Vigyanika was conceptualized, developed and executed by team CSIR-NIScPR (erstwhile NISCAIR) since its inception. CSIR-NIScPR organised Vigyanika 2024 in collaboration with CSIR-NIIST, DBT, IIT Guwahati and VIBHA during 01-02 December 2024 at IIT Guwahati. Vigyanika 2024 was focused on the theme “From Folklore to Future: An Indian Literary Exploration”.

Training Programme on Heeng Cultivation for the farmers of the Kargil Region (5-6 March 2024)

A training programme on Heeng Cultivation was organised for the interested farmer group of the Kargil region. The programme was jointly organised by CSIR-NIScPR, New Delhi, CSIR-IHBT Palampur, UBA-NCI, IIT Delhi, UBA-RCI, IIT Jammu, and Government Degree College, Kargil. Nine farmers from the Kargil region attended the programme. These farmers were provided exposures on various aspects of Heeng cultivation, like planting techniques, maintenance, and harvesting methods.

Third Foundation Day Celebrations (8-9 February 2024)

CSIR-NIScPR hosted its third foundation day on 8 and 9 February 2024 at its Pusa Campus, New Delhi. The Chief Guest of the Foundation Day Programme was Prof. Yogesh Singh, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Delhi University and an esteemed Member of CSIR Society.

CSIR-NIScPR celebrated its Foundation Day on 8-9 February 2024 with activities including a Student Interaction Meet, Poster Presentation by PhD scholars, and the Jigyasa Student-Scientist Connect Programme. The celebrations featured lectures and interactions by eminent academicians and scientists.

National Science Day 2024 Celebrations of DST and CSIR-NIScPR

CSIR-NIScPR managed media outreach and publicity for the National Science Day 2024 celebrations organised at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, including the production of short videos, interviews, reels, social media creatives, and press releases published through PIB. The Chief Guest was the Hon’ble Union S&T Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh and the event was also attended by eminent dignitaries, including Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Dr VK Saraswat, Dr N Kalaiselvi, and Dr Rashmi Sharma.

India International Science Festival 2023 (17-20 January 2024)

The mega science event promotes scientific temper and connects science with society. CSIR-NIScPR managed media coverage and publicity for IISF 2023 through collaborations with DD National, DD Urdu, All India Radio, PIB, community radio networks, print and electronic media, ensuring wide dissemination of festival activities across urban and rural audiences. Daily press releases, promotional videos in English and Hindi for all 17 events, and social media coverage of inaugural sessions, event highlights, and dignitary interviews were prepared and shared through IISF and CSIR-NIScPR platforms to maximise outreach and visibility.

CSIR-NIScPR successfully produced 40 promo videos (in Hindi and English) focused on 17 events of the IISF 2023. These promo videos were disseminated on social media platforms to develop momentum. Besides, the institute expanded IISF 2023 outreach by engaging over 400 community radio stations across the country, introducing community radio as a communication medium in IISF for the first time, and coordinating publicity through official social media platforms with a reach of over 25 lakh people. IISF coverage was further amplified through special programmes and broadcasts on All India Radio, DD National, and DD Urdu.

#SVASTIK Special Session on “Indian Traditional Knowledge” at the 6th Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan (21-22 December 2023)

This was organised by CSIR-NIScPR, New Delhi, at the 6th Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan (BVS) in Ahmedabad during 21-22 December 2023. The event witnessed the participation of luminaries like Dr Shekhar C Mande, and others.

One Week One Lab Programme (11–16 September 2023)

CSIR-NIScPR celebrated the “One Week One Lab” programme from 11–16 September 2023 as part of CSIR’s initiative involving all 37 laboratories to showcase their activities, achievements, and breakthroughs. During the programme, CSIR-NIScPR organised various events highlighting its contributions to Science Policy Research and Science Communication, engaging scientists, academicians, industry experts, entrepreneurs, students, and other stakeholders.

Science in Diplomacy for Sustainable Growth in India: A Global Governance Perspective (16 September 2023)

Valedictory event of the CSIR-NIScPR’s One Week One Lab’ (OWOL) celebrations during 11-16 September 2023 witnessed a discussion on “Science Diplomacy for Sustainable Development”. Dr Philipp Ackermann, German Ambassador to India and Bhutan, German Embassy, New Delhi, graced the event as the Chief Guest. Science counsellors from embassies, senior government officials from International divisions of Government organisations, representatives from Niti Aayog, academicians and researchers took part in the discussion.