India International Science Festival (IISF) 2023: A Snapshot of Events

The India International Science Festival (IISF) 2023 is set to begin tomorrow. The preparations are in full swing. The mega science festival will start on January 17, 2024, and will end on January 20, 2024. The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India is organizing the 9^th edition of IISF and its autonomous organization National Innovation Foundation-India is the coordination and implementation body of IISF 2023. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) institutes Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) – Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) located in Faridabad (Haryana) is the host institute of the grand event.

Union Minister of State for Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh while releasing the brochure of the ninth edition of India International Science Festival (IISF) 2023 on 16 December 2023 during the Curtain raiser program organised at Constitutional Club, New Delhi. Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Secretary DST Dr Abhay Karandikar, Secretary DBT Dr Rajesh S. Gokhale and Secretary MoES Dr M. Ravichandran are accompanying to Hon’ble Minister.

The aim of this science festival is to celebrate the achievements of India in the frontier areas of science and technology. The festival also aims to acknowledge the achievements of science enthusiasts inculcate scientific temper among young students and spread the same among Indian citizens. The central theme of IISF 2023 is “Science and Technology Public Outreach in Amrit Kaal”.

This time, 22 countries are also participating in IISF 2023. These include the Argentine Republic, the Republic of Armenia, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the French Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Kenya, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia,  Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Republic of Namibia, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Rwanda, Republic of Singapore, Republic of South Africa, Kingdom of Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America (USA), Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and Republic of Zimbabwe.

The following events are planned for all four days of the IISF 2023. On 17^th January 2024, twelve events are planned. These include Student Science Village, Face to Face of New Frontiers of Science & Technology, Science through Games & Toys, Students Innovation Festival – Space Hackathon, State S&T Ministers and Centre and States S & T Secretaries and Officials Conclave, Education for Aspiring India – National Science Teachers Workshop, Young Scientists Conference, New Age Technology Show, National Social Organisations and Institutions Meet (NSOIM); Science, Technology, and Innovation Exhibition; Start-up, Technology and Innovation B to B Meet.

On 18^th January 2024, thirteen events are planned. These include Student Science Village, Vigyanika-Science Literature Festival, Science through Games & Toys, Students Innovation Festival – Space Hackathon, State S&T Ministers and Centre and States S&T Secretaries and Officials Conclave, Education for Aspiring India – National Science Teachers Workshop, Young Scientists Conference, New Age Technology Show, National Social Organisations and Institutions Meet, Science, Technology, and Innovation Exhibition, Start-up, Technology, and Innovation B to B Meet, IISF Challenge, and Science & Technology Media and Communicators Conclave.

On 19^th January 2024, a total of eleven events will take place. These include the Student Science Festival, Vigyanika – Science Literature Festival, Science through Games & Toys, Students Innovation Festival – Space Hackathon, Education for Aspiring India – National Science Teachers Workshop, Young Scientists Conference, New Age Technology Show, National Social Organisations and Institutions Meet; Science, Technology, and Innovation Exhibition, Start-up, Technology, and Innovation B to B Meet, and Science & Technology Media and Communicators Conclave.

On the last day, 20^th January 2024, eight events will be held. These include Student Science Village, Science through Games & Toys, Education for Aspiring India – National Science Teachers Workshop, Young Scientists Conference, New Age Technology Show; Science, Technology, and Innovation Exhibition; Start-up, Technology, and Innovation B to B Meet, and Face to face with New Frontiers of Science and Technology.

The Science Media Communication Cell (SMCC) at CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication & Policy Research (NIScPR) is coordinating and facilitating the media publicity of the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2023. The key objective of the SMCC is to disseminate and showcase R&D breakthroughs and scientific achievements of India on various platforms of media.

IISF is the largest science festival which brings together and connects all the segments of society. This has been organised since 2015 and the IISF 2023 is the ninth edition of the series. In this edition, a total of 17 events have been scheduled. IISF organises a series of outreach events in R&D institutes, labs and schools for around one month to create awareness among different stakeholders in society.

Disclaimer: This is an official press release by Pib.