Union Government has constituted new 21-member advisory panel on science, technology and innovation called Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC).

• It will be headed by Principal Scientific Advisor to government K Vijay Raghavan. It will replace earlier Scientific Advisory Committee to Prime Minister and to Cabinet. The council will advise PM on science, technology, as well as innovation.
•  It will actively aid in formulation and timely implementation of major science and technology missions and evolve interdisciplinary technology development programmes.
• It will also advise government on developing ‘Clusters of Excellence’ in science including city-based R&D clusters.
• It will work to bring together all science and technology partners from academia and institutes to industries near such centres or cities.
• It has nine members, including Chairperson. Apart from nine members, it will also have twelve special invitees — eleven ex officio secretaries 10 central ministries, related to science, technology, energy and education, are special invitees to the panel.