IIT Guwahati Hosts RuTAG 2.0 Review, Launches 2 Rural Innovation Centres

On November 13, 2025, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati hosted the Second Annual Review Meeting of the Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG) 2.0. The event was graced by the presence of Prof. A.K. Sood, the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, who served as the chief guest.

PSA’s Vision for Rural Technology Deployment

During his address, Prof. A.K. Sood emphasized the significance of the annual meeting as a platform to assess progress and outline future objectives. He highlighted the establishment of the Rural Science and Technology Partnership Centre, which aims to serve as a hub for 25 to 40 surrounding villages. The centre will focus on integrating technologies such as soil health management and satellite-based information to bolster rural development.

Prof. Sood urged all contributors to work collaboratively to make a lasting impact on the lives of people in rural India. He stressed the importance of two key aspects:

• The diffusion of technologies beyond initial implementation areas.
• Ensuring standardization, documentation, testing, and validation of technologies.

Focus on Scalability and Commercialization

Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary at the Office of the PSA, reiterated the importance of innovation-driven growth for Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India). He stated that the rural sector is the backbone of the Indian economy and must remain a focal point for scientific and technological interventions.

Under RuTAG 2.0, Dr. Maini emphasized the need to ensure market readiness, commercialization, and deployment of technologies aimed at comprehensive growth in the rural sector. He also pointed out the immense potential for innovation and sustainable development in the Northeast region of India.

Dr. Maini encouraged participants to focus on:

• Consolidation of interventions.
• Scalability of projects.
• Data-driven outcomes to address global challenges, such as climate change.

Exhibition and Technology Showcase

The event featured an exhibition showcasing Grassroot Innovators and RuTAG Centres, highlighting innovative technologies and solutions developed to tackle various rural challenges. This exhibition provided a platform for innovators to display their work and engage with stakeholders.

Launch of New Research Centres

The event also marked the inauguration of two new interdisciplinary research centres under the School of Agro and Rural Technology (SART) at IIT Guwahati:

• Centre for Innovation in Agri & Aqua Voltaics (CIAAV): This centre focuses on integrating agricultural and aquaculture innovations to enhance productivity and sustainability.
• Integrated Facility for Wellness-Product Innovation (IFWPI): This facility aims to develop wellness products that cater to the needs of rural communities.

These centres are designed to provide rural communities with new livelihood opportunities through innovations in sustainable agriculture, aquaculture, and wellness product development.

Two-Day Event Agenda

The two-day event aims to evaluate the progress, impact, and scalability of ongoing rural initiatives implemented across the country under RuTAG projects. With a focus on strengthening the link between science, technology, and rural development, the delegation seeks to explore pathways for the deployment of rural technologies.

The agenda includes presentations from RuTAG Centres across India, such as IIT Guwahati, IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Roorkee, IIT Madras, SKUAST-Kashmir, and ICAR-NAARM. These presentations will cover:

• Progress in grassroots technology development.
• Rural entrepreneurship.
• Sustainable innovation.

Day 1 of the event also featured a drone demonstration showcasing innovative applications in rural settings. The second day will continue with review sessions, discussions on policy and implementation, and stakeholder meetings involving representatives from academia, industry, and government.

Note: The RuTAG initiative is a crucial step towards enhancing rural development through technology and innovation, aiming to empower rural communities across India.