India Launches First National CCUS R&D Roadmap to Accelerate Net Zero Mission
India unveils its first CCUS R&D Roadmap to accelerate Net Zero 2070 goals, boost climate innovation, and advance carbon capture technologies.
New Delhi: India has launched its first-ever R&D Roadmap to Enable India’s Net Zero Targets through Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) on December 2, 2025. The roadmap has been prepared by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and was formally unveiled by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
Prof. Sood described the roadmap as a major strategic step towards coordinated climate action, enabling collaboration and investment to accelerate the deployment of CCUS technologies. He noted that the roadmap will help India reduce its carbon footprint and strengthen its global leadership in climate action, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
DST Secretary Prof. Abhay Karandikar emphasized DST’s pioneering role in advancing CCUS R&D through national and international collaborations. He explained that the roadmap strikes a balance between maturing current CCUS technologies for commercial readiness and supporting breakthrough science for next-generation solutions. He also highlighted the need for supportive frameworks such as skilled human capital, regulatory standards, safety protocols, and shared infrastructure.
Prof. Karandikar noted that the roadmap aligns with the Rs 1 Lakh Crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, which strengthens private-sector-led innovation in industrial decarbonization.
As climate change intensifies globally, India continues to prioritize sustainable development by balancing industrial growth with environmental responsibility. To meet its Net-Zero 2070 commitment, CCUS has emerged as an essential pillar for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like power, cement, and steel.
DST has taken leadership in creating CCU test beds in real industrial environments, using public–private partnership models to accelerate deployment. These test beds focus on industries critical to India’s long-term decarbonization path.
The CCUS R&D Roadmap is backed by seven years of DST’s work and insights from a High-Level Task Force (HTF). It offers strategic guidance on thematic priorities, funding pathways, and innovation needs. It also addresses non-technical requirements such as regulations, standards, safety measures, and skilled manpower.
During the launch event, experts including Dr. Ashish Lele (Chair of HTF and Director, CSIR-NCL Pune), Dr. Anita Gupta, and Dr. Neelima Alam shared insights into national, bilateral, and multilateral CCUS initiatives supported by DST, including the establishment of India’s first three National Centers of Excellence in CCUS.
The event witnessed participation from academia, industry, policymakers, embassies, and multilateral institutions. Representatives from the energy, steel, cement, and manufacturing sectors, along with researchers and national laboratory experts, were also in attendance.