CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) in Thiruvananthapuram is set to transfer its breakthrough low glycaemic index (GI) “designer rice” technology to industry partners Tata Consumer Products and SS Soul Foods on February 18, 2026, at CSIR headquarters in New Delhi. This fortified white rice variant boosts protein, iron, folic acid, and Vitamin B12 while moderating carbohydrate absorption to combat Type-2 diabetes and micronutrient deficiencies without changing eating habits.
Technology Highlights
Developed under Director Dr. C. Anandharamakrishnan—who won the Tata Transformation Prize 2024—the rice uses scalable processing on existing infrastructure, enabling quick market rollout. It addresses India’s rising metabolic disorders and hidden hunger, where polished rice spikes blood sugar.
Broader Tech Portfolio
The “CSIR-NIIST Tech Connect: From Lab to Market” event features additional transfers: stable coffee crema tech, bio-based polyurethane for leather coatings, cactus leather alternatives, JAIVAM composting microbes, and low-sodium salt formulations cutting sodium by 86%. These innovations target sustainability, waste reduction, and post-harvest losses of 30-40% in horticulture.
