The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance Indo-Nepal Scientific Cooperation.
In a significant step toward bolstering Science and Technology (S&T) collaboration between India and Nepal, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India, and the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on February 18, 2025, at CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) in New Delhi.
The agreement was signed by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR, and Secretary, DSIR, and Prof. Dr. Dilip Subba, Vice-Chancellor, NAST. This MoU establishes a comprehensive framework to facilitate bilateral scientific and technological cooperation between the two institutions.
A History of Cooperation
CSIR and NAST have a longstanding partnership that dates back to 1994 when an initial agreement — between CSIR and then-RONAST (now NAST) — was established to promote joint research and technological development. This collaboration led to the signing of two Working Programmes in 1997 and 2002, resulting in multiple joint workshops and training programs that continued beyond the formal period of those agreements.
The newly signed MoU aims to reinvigorate and broaden this partnership, fostering increased scientific collaboration. Under the 2025 MoU, CSIR and NAST will engage in a range of activities, including:
- Exchange of scientific information, research materials, and experts.
- Joint organisation of S&T seminars, workshops, and training programs.
- Execution of collaborative research projects.
- Mutual access to major research facilities.
- Technology partnerships.
- Institutional twinning for capacity building.
The cooperation will focus on key areas such as biological sciences, food science and technology, water and environmental technologies, fuel and mining sciences, metallurgy, materials science (including glass, ceramics, biomaterials, and nanotechnology), alternative energy, leather and footwear technologies, metrology, polymer sciences, and drug discovery.
New Chapter in Scientific Collaboration
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from CSIR, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, and NAST. Discussions centered on optimising collaboration and identifying key areas for joint research and development.
Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR, emphasised CSIR’s strong interest in enhancing technology partnerships and capacity-building initiatives with Nepal. She highlighted the immense potential for collaboration and stressed the need for swift implementation of the MoU through a structured action plan.
Prof. Dr. Dilip Subba, Vice-Chancellor, NAST, reiterated Nepal’s commitment to scientific cooperation with India. He emphasised that this agreement and the discussions held during the signing would lay the foundation for a strengthened and long-lasting S&T partnership. He also proposed the creation of subject-specific working groups to ensure targeted collaboration in priority fields.
This MoU marks a new chapter in Indo-Nepal scientific cooperation, opening doors for increased knowledge exchange and joint research efforts between the two nations. By formalising this agreement, CSIR and NAST have reaffirmed their shared vision of leveraging scientific and technological advancements to drive progress, innovation, and economic growth.
