NEST Cluster

NEST Cluster

A project for establishment of North Eastern Science & Technology Cluster (NEST) for promoting research, innovation and skill development was sanctioned at a cost of ₹22.98 crore on 4^thJuly, 2025 for funding under Schemes of North Eastern Council, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region and for implementation by the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati for a duration of five years.

The project is designed to operate through four thematic verticals, selected based on emerging technologies, regional needs, and future growth potential:

The specific objectives of the NEST clusters include:

The key components of the Project include:

The NEST cluster essentially works as a hub and spoke model to connect academia, industry, research and Govt. agencies to promote R&D interventions to reach the common man through skill development and entrepreneur development of rural youth and women. Institutions so far identified to act as ‘Spokes’ include:North East Cane & Bamboo Development Council, Assam; North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Arunachal Pradesh; Eight  National Institutes of Technology (NITs) at Agartala, Meghalaya, Manipur, Silchar, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim as well as Indian Institute of Management, Shillong; Indian Institute of Information Technology, Guwahati; Tezpur University, Assam; Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat; Indian Institute of Information Technology, Senapati, Manipur; and Central Institute of Technology, Kokrajhar.

This information was given by the Minister of State of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region Dr. Sukanta Majumdar in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.