NEW DELHI, JULY 12, 2026: Dr Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, as well as Minister of State for the PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space, chaired the high-level monthly Joint Review Meeting of Secretaries from all science ministries and departments. The critical session, which also featured the active participation of Prof Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, focused extensively on tracking progress from previous directives and establishing a unified, cross-departmental strategy to maximize the societal impact of Indian scientific innovation.
During the assembly, Dr Jitendra Singh reviewed the Action Taken Report compiled as a follow-up to the preceding joint session. He strongly reiterated the need for consistent interaction, seamless knowledge sharing, and coordinated joint initiatives across different ministries and departments. Emphasizing a strict “whole of government” approach, the minister highlighted that breaking down institutional silos is imperative to accelerating domestic innovation, refining administrative governance, and ensuring that cutting-edge scientific achievements translate directly into tangible benefits for everyday citizens.
A primary focal point of the July meeting was the comprehensive planning and strategy formulation for the upcoming nationwide coastal cleanliness drive, ‘Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar’. Scheduled to take place along the entirety of the country’s vast coastline from September 10 to September 19, 2026, the ambitious campaign aims to merge strict environmental conservation efforts with robust public awareness. The review panel meticulously discussed outreach frameworks and preparatory logistics to ensure deep community engagement. The massive environmental initiative is designed to mobilize a diverse coalition of scientific institutions, government bodies, local communities, educational centers, celebrities, and grassroots volunteers in what is anticipated to be one of India’s largest collaborative coastal preservation campaigns.
Beyond environmental directives, Dr Jitendra Singh placed significant emphasis on modernizing research accessibility through digital infrastructure. He called for a much wider adoption of the SARAL_AI platform, urging ministries to implement measures that scale up researcher participation across various national institutions. Additionally, the minister advocated for expanding public access to ongoing research project metrics via transparent digital networks. To foster a broader culture of scientific appreciation, he directed departments to execute the regular, widespread dissemination of verified scientific success stories utilizing modern digital media channels.