The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was apprised about signing of an agreement between India and Russia in May 2015. The Agreement provides for competitive research grants to Indian and Russian researchers for joint implementation of research projects in areas of Basic and Exploratory Sciences. The Agreement is valid for a period of six years and could be extended through mutual consent between Department of Science & Technology (DST) and Russian Science Federation (RSF).

This competition would be conducted in the areas of Mathematics, Computer & System Science; Physics & Space Science; Chemistry & Material Science; Biology and Life Science; Basic research for Medicine, Agricultural Science, Earth Science and Engineering Science. Decision to identify research projects for funding would be taken jointly by DST and RSF. The results of this cooperation will lead to generation of new knowledge, joint scientific publications, manpower training and IP generation through collaboration.