A three-day intensive workshop on “AI-Driven Drug Discovery: Advanced Tools, Techniques & Applications” was organised at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Human Resource Development Centre (CSIR-HRDC), Ghaziabad, from April 7 to 9, 2026. The program was designed for CSIR scientists and technical officers, with the objective of equipping them with advanced knowledge and practical exposure to cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools transforming modern drug discovery.

The workshop was inaugurated in the presence of Prof. G. N. Sastry, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Hyderabad; Dr. T. S. Rana, Head, CSIR-HRDC; Dr. Vinay Kumar, Scientist G and Programme Convener; and Preeti Chaudhary, Program Coordinator.

In his inaugural address, Prof. Sastry highlighted the transformative role of AI in revolutionising the drug discovery process and emphasised the growing importance of interdisciplinary approaches in pharmaceutical research.

Dr. Vinay Kumar also presented a comprehensive overview of the workshop, outlining its vision, objectives, and the rationale behind conceptualising this program to address emerging needs in AI-driven drug discovery.

Over the course of three days, the workshop featured a series of insightful lectures and interactive sessions delivered by distinguished experts from premier institutions. Notable contributors included Prof. Prabha Garg, NIPER, SAS Nagar; Prof. D. Sunder, Director, IBAB; Dr. Arijit Roy, TCS, Hyderabad; and Dr. S. Nagamani, CSIR-NEIST, who shared their expertise, real-world applications, and emerging perspectives in AI-enabled drug discovery.

The technical sessions on AI in Target Identification and Biomarker identification, AI-Assisted Molecular Docking and Scoring, and AI in Bimolecular Simulation were well-received.

Experts such as Dr. Rajnish Kumar, Associate Professor, IIT BHU, Varanasi; Dr. Firoz Khan, CSIR-CIMAP, and Dr. Tarak Karmakar, IIT Delhi provided in-depth knowledge and hands-on insights, significantly enhancing participants’ understanding of advanced computational approaches in drug discovery.

The program provided a platform for knowledge exchange, skill enhancement, and fostering innovation in the rapidly evolving domain of AI-driven drug discovery.