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Pune, 19 July 2025: In a significant stride towards affordable healthcare, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is preparing to launch a low-cost screening kit for sickle cell anaemia. Developed by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), the PCR-based test requires just a single drop of blood and delivers results in under 30 minutes. The kit is expected to be available within six months and priced between ₹87 and ₹93.
CSIR Director-General Dr. N. Kalaiselvi announced the development at the National Scientists' Round Table Conference 2025, held at MIT World Peace University in Pune. She said the kit would be made accessible through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), making it both affordable and widely distributable.
The project is a collaborative effort involving the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and other CSIR-affiliated institutions, with a special focus on addressing genetic disorders in rural and tribal areas where sickle cell prevalence is high.
Dr. Kalaiselvi also spoke about the transformative role of artificial intelligence in scientific research, especially in diagnostics. She said AI tools are being actively used across CSIR labs to enhance accuracy and reduce time in disease detection and treatment planning.
The CSIR chief further highlighted the increasing number of Indian scientists venturing into entrepreneurship. She noted a cultural shift where young researchers are being encouraged and supported by senior scientists to translate their innovations into market-ready solutions. This, she said, is helping to build a stronger innovation ecosystem in India.
“As we move toward the goal of a developed India by 2047, it's clear that science and technology will play a central role,” she said, emphasizing the need for continued support for research and innovation.
The conference brought together some of India’s brightest scientific minds, including 36 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar and INSA awardees, directors of major research institutions, and leading experts from both academia and industry, reflecting the nation's growing focus on science-driven development.