29/05/2026
The Ministry of Mines, in collaboration with the Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre (JNARDDC), Nagpur, commenced the two-day Interactive Workshop & Technical Evaluation Sessions under S&T PRISM 5.0 (Promotion of Research & Innovation in Startups and MSMEs) on 29 May 2026 at JNARDDC, Nagpur.
The event brought together innovators from startups & MSMEs, industry representatives, academia, and experts from India’s critical minerals sector. S&T–PRISM is one of the three key components of the Ministry of Mines’ Science & Technology Programme.
For the first time under the S&T PRISM Scheme, the Ministry has introduced an interactive workshop alongside the evaluation process to create an enabling ecosystem for startups working in critical mineral exploration, processing, recycling, and related areas. The initiative aims to promote technology exchange, expert interaction, constructive feedback, and experience-sharing through a competition-based framework.
The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Anupam Agnihotri, Director, JNARDDC, and Shri Sukhdeep Singh, Director, Ministry of Mines.
Addressing the participants, Shri Sukhdeep Singh, Director, Ministry of Mines, emphasized the importance of innovation and technological advancement in achieving self-reliance in critical minerals. He highlighted that the event marks a shift from conventional evaluation methods towards a more interactive and collaborative approach that encourages innovation and healthy competition among startups.
Under S&T PRISM 5.0, the Ministry of Mines has invited proposals to support innovation across the critical minerals value chain.