The Maharashtra government is set to expand its Science and Innovation Activity Centres (SIACs) across the state, naming the initiative after renowned astrophysicist Dr Jayant Narlikar, Minister Ashish Shelar announced on Thursday, reported news agency PTI.

The initiative aims to position Maharashtra as a science-forward state within India, the IT and Cultural Affairs Minister stated in the legislative assembly.

The centres, originally launched by the Rajiv Gandhi Science and Technology Commission (RGSTC) in 2015, are currently operational at six locations across the state.