Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) Reviews Progress of RuTAG 2.0

Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, chaired the second annual review meeting of the Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG) 2.0, an initiative of the Office of the PSA (OPSA). The meeting highlighted key developments aimed at addressing rural challenges through science, technology, and innovation. The meeting was held on the 13^th and 14^th of November 2025, at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati.

Key Highlights of the Review Meeting

• Release of RuTAG 2.0 Annual Progress Report (2024–25)

• PSA Prof. Sood released the annual report showcasing 56+ ongoing projects.
• Projects span sectors such as:
  • Agriculture
  • Animal husbandry
  • Post-harvest management
  • Renewable energy
  • Water purification
  • Rural crafts
• Several initiatives have progressed to prototype development and field deployment stages.

• Inauguration of New Innovation Facilities at IIT Guwahati

1. Centre for Innovation in Agri & Aqua Voltaics (CIAAV)

• Focus on agrivoltaics and aquavoltaics research.
• Promotes interdisciplinary innovation linking renewable energy with agriculture and aquaculture.
• Aims to boost rural entrepreneurship and livelihood creation in the North-East region.

2. Integrated Facility for Wellness-Product Innovation (IFWPI)

• Supports research and development in wellness-oriented products.
• Encourages value addition and technology-driven solutions for rural communities.

• Review of RuTAG Centres

All seven RuTAG Centres presented updates on their work and field outcomes:

• IIT Guwahati
• SKUAST-Kashmir
• IIT Delhi
• IIT Bombay
• IIT Roorkee
• ICAR–NAARM Hyderabad
• IIT Madras

Source: PIB