The India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025 Curtain Raiser was held at the CSIR–National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR–NML), Jamshedpur, Jharkhand on 27 November 2025. 

The event served as a prelude to the 11th IISF, scheduled to be held at Panchkula, Haryana from December 6 to 9, 2025, with the national theme “Vigyan Se Samruddhi – For Atmanirbhar Bharat.”

The programme began with the screening of a 75-year Platinum Jubilee CSIR–NML documentary, followed by the arrival of the Chief Guest and other dignitaries. 

The event was inaugurated with the lighting of the lamp. *Dr. Sandip Ghosh Chowdhury*, Director, CSIR–NML, welcomed the gathering and highlighted the laboratory’s contributions to metallurgical innovation, sustainable industrial growth, and technological advancement in alignment with national priorities.

The Chief Guest, *Professor Indranil Manna*, Vice Chancellor of BIT Mesra and former Director of IIT Kanpur, delivered a lecture titled “The World of Materials: Impact on Development and Growth.” 

He discussed the significance of materials science in national progress, the relationship between structure and properties of materials, and encouraged students to contribute to “Engineering for Viksit Bharat @2047.”

Students and faculty members from Al Kabir Polytechnic, Srinath University, and Arka Jain University participated enthusiastically. 

They also visited the CSIR–NML Platinum Jubilee Expo, organised as part of the institute’s 75th Foundation Day celebrations. 

The Expo showcased CSIR–NML’s seven-decade journey of excellence in metallurgical innovation, featuring interactive models, scientific posters, and demonstrations of advanced research instrumentation.

The event concluded with the felicitation of Professor Indranil Manna by Dr. Sandip Ghosh Chowdhury, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by *Dr. S. K. Pal*, Head, Research Planning and Business Development (RPBD), and the National Anthem.