The Indian government is launching a new initiative to tap scientific and technological talent among the young so that they could contribute to the development of the country as a "knowledge economy", it was announced here Wednesday.

The initiative is expected to touch over two million students from over 25,000 schools and institutes in India and infuse the spirit of science, research and innovation among them.

Under a new partnership initiative, the government's Department of Science and Technology, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Intel Technology will promote innovation among youngsters, particularly schoolchildren.

The joint Initiative for Research and Innovation in Science (IRIS) is aimed at "creating greater opportunities for the young talent so that they could contribute to the development of the country as a knowledge economy," said Minister for Science and Technology and Ocean Development Kapil Sibal at the signing ceremony here Wednesday.

He expressed satisfaction that industries while doing business are also carrying out social responsibilities.

"IRIS is the merger of two programmes with a common mission of promoting science - the Intel Science Talent Discovery Fair and CII-DST's 'Steer the Big Idea'. The merger will create the Science Fair of India and achieve a higher level of reach across schools, colleges, labs and research institutions in the country," the minister said.

Under the CII-DST - Steer the Big Idea initiative, Indian participation was organised at the International Exhibition for Young Inventors (IEYI) at Tokyo in 2004 and at Kuala Lumpur in 2005. India has got the opportunity to host IEYI in 2006.

Over the last five years Intel has also been organising an annual nationwide talent search under its Intel Science Talent Discovery Fair, which seeks to infuse a spirit of discovery in school children.

Through IRIS, the partners aim to help build scientific temperament and an innovative culture among the youth of the country, as well as help popularise science and technology in schools.

The rollout of the IRIS initiative in March will begin with inviting project synopses from participants in four categories between 6-35 years. They will go through two screening rounds to shortlist 300 finalists from all four categories for participation at the national fair in December. The winners will represent India at international fairs.