Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy

Last updated
Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy
Established2005;18 years ago (2005)
Chair V. S. R. Arunachalam [1]
HeadJai Asundi [1]
AddressNo. 18 & 19, 10th Cross, Mayura Street, Papanna Layout, Nagashettyhalli (RMV II Stage), Bengaluru 560094 Karnataka, India
Location
Website cstep.in

The Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) is an Indian think-tank based in Bengaluru.

Contents

Its research is consolidated into five sectors: Climate, Environment and Sustainability; Energy and Power; AI and Digital Platforms; Strategic Studies; and Computational Tools. [1]

History

CSTEP was founded in 2005 by Dr V. S. R. Arunachalam, former Scientific Advisor to India's Defence Minister (1982-1992) and former head of DRDO, along with Professor P Rama Rao. Dr Anshu Bharadwaj, a former IAS officer, was the first executive director from 2009 to 2020 before being succeeded by Dr Jai Asundi. [2]

In 2008, CSTEP received its first grant from Shri Sivasubramaniya Nadar Educational and Charitable Trust to conduct studies in energy. [3] [4] In 2018 the organization created the Centre for Air Pollution Studies (CAPS) [5] and launched the Artificial Intelligence & Digital Labs. [6]

Staff

In 2022, CSTEP employed 126 people in fields such as science and engineering, policy, economics, IT, management, and communication. [7] As of 2022 its chairman was its founder Dr. Arunachalam and its executive director is Dr. Jai Asundi (2020 onwards). [7]

Location

CSTEP was founded in Arunachalam's residence in Bengaluru and later worked out of the CAIR (DRDO) office on Infantry Road, Bengaluru. As of 2022, CSTEP operates out of two locations, with one office in Bengaluru and another in Noida.

Activities

India Clean Air Summit

The India Clean Air Summit (ICAS) is CSTEP's flagship event on Air Pollution, organised by the Centre for Air Pollution Studies (CAPS). [8] [9]

Role of Science & Technology for Society

In March 2020, CSTEP initiated a Discussion Series on the Role of Science & Technology for Society, with the stated aim of making "science accessible to citizens to find sustainable solutions for India's developmental challenges".

The first event of the series was woven around the launch of Dr Arunachalam's book ‘From Temples to Turbines: An Adventure in Two Worlds’. [10] The Chief Designer of LCA Tejas, Kota Harinarayana, and former Chief Secretary to the Government of Karnataka SV Ranganath, were the main speakers at the event. [10]

India Energy Transformation Platform

CSTEP is the Secretariat for the India Energy Transformation Platform, a program created in 2018 to strategize on India's long-term energy future. [11]

Funding

CSTEP is registered under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 and receives grants from national and international foundations, industry trusts, and governments. [7]

It has received grants from foundations such as the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), OAK Foundation, Rohini & Nandan Nilekani Philanthropies, World Bank, United Nations Development Programme, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and many others. [7]

Policy influence

It has been involved in a number of policy projects in collaboration with the Indian government as well as national and international organizations [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] such as the Gates Foundation, [18] IBM, [19] Bureau of Energy Efficiency, and the Planning Commission. [20]

Collaborative projects

CSTEP has also collaborated with other organizations on various projects. It was one of the Indian organizations which participated in SERIIUS, a joint clean energy development program established by the Government of India and the US Department of Energy, [21] as well as multiple projects with the European Union. [22]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zero-emissions vehicle</span> Class of motor vehicle

A zero-emission vehicle, or ZEV, is a vehicle that does not emit exhaust gas or other pollutants from the onboard source of power. The California definition also adds that this includes under any and all possible operational modes and conditions. This is because under cold-start conditions for example, internal combustion engines tend to produce the maximum amount of pollutants. In a number of countries and states, transport is cited as the main source of greenhouse gases (GHG) and other pollutants. The desire to reduce this is thus politically strong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Defence Research and Development Organisation</span> Government agency in India

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is the premier agency under the Department of Defence Research and Development in Ministry of Defence of the Government of India, charged with the military's research and development, headquartered in Delhi, India. It was formed in 1958 by the merger of the Technical Development Establishment and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production of the Indian Ordnance Factories with the Defence Science Organisation under the administration of Jawaharlal Nehru. Subsequently, Defence Research & Development Service (DRDS) was constituted in 1979 as a service of Group 'A' Officers / Scientists directly under the administrative control of Ministry of Defence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable transport</span> Sustainable transport in the senses of social, environmental and climate impacts

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green vehicle</span> Environmentally friendly vehicles

A green vehicle, clean vehicle, eco-friendly vehicle or environmentally friendly vehicle is a road motor vehicle that produces less harmful impacts to the environment than comparable conventional internal combustion engine vehicles running on gasoline or diesel, or one that uses certain alternative fuels. Presently, in some countries the term is used for any vehicle complying or surpassing the more stringent European emission standards, or California's zero-emissions vehicle standards, or the low-carbon fuel standards enacted in several countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coal pollution mitigation</span> Attempts to mitigate the health and environmental impact of coal

LEAD

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BEML</span> Indian heavy equipment manufacturer

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenhouse gas emissions by the United States</span> Climate changing gases from the North American country

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Vasudev Kalkunte Aatre is an Indian scientist and former head of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India's premier Defence research and development organization. In that capacity, he also served as the Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister. He is a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan award.

Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials into the atmosphere, causing harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or damaging ecosystems. Air pollution can cause health problems including, but not limited to, infections, behavioral changes, cancer, organ failure, and premature death. These health effects are not equally distributed across the U.S population; there are demographic disparities by race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and education. Air pollution can derive from natural sources, or anthropogenic sources. Anthropogenic air pollution has affected the United States since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DRDO AEW&CS</span> Airborne early warning and control aircraft

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Clean Energy and Security Act</span> Proposed United States climate and energy legislation (Waxman-Markey); never passed

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barak 8</span> Medium to long-range surface-to-air missile

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air pollution in India</span> Air pollution in India

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air pollution in Turkey</span> Dirty air in the Republic of Turkey

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prahlada (scientist)</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smog tower</span> Urban large-scale air purifier

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMISAT</span> Indian reconnaissance satellite

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References

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